Porto Alegre in Brazil´s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul (big river of the south) sits just a few hundred kms from the Uruguayan border on the eastern bank of the Guaiba river, which itself forms part of the Lagoon of the Ducks, a large lake fed by five rivers. This natural feature has seen the city grow into an important port as well as one of Brazil´s chief industrial and commercial centres, despite being only the eleventh most populous city in the country with around 1.4 million inhabitants, although there are over 4 million in the wider metropolitan area.
With strong German, Italian and Polish communities, Porto Alegre blends this European background with that of the traditional Brazilian 'gaucho' (aka cowboy) to offer a unique cultural mix quite different to other parts of Brazil.
For the 2014 World Cup many of Porto Alegre´s key preparations are linked to the city´s maritime heritage. For starters, the chosen host stadium is located, as its name - Beira Rio (River´s Edge) Stadium - suggests, right on the Guiaba river, and the plan is to turn the facility and surrounds into a major tourist attraction taking advantage of the waterfront features.
Owned by the Sport Club Internacional, one of Brazil´s top performers in recent years with a number of international titles, the Beira Rio has a current capacity of 58,306 but will be expanded to 65,000 for the 2014 Cup. Amongst other things the renovation project, developed by local group Hype Studio, includes the addition of a new roof, refurbishment and expansion of the lower tier of the stadium, renovation of the interior including new suites, food outlets, media area and offices, and two new parking stations at each end of the stadium.
Although the renovation project is one of the cheapest at a predicted R$155 million, as a non-public facility the National Development Bank loan available for government-backed stadia is not in play and while Internacional has committed to meeting all financial requirements, it is having difficulty achieving the level of guarantees required by FIFA and is currently seeking a bank or private sector partner. As the matter drags out, rival Porto Alegre club Gremio is busy building its own new stadium and still dreams of snatching the hosting rights if things go further awry.
Beyond the stadium upgrade, Internacional is also planning big things for the surrounds, with the new stadium cover to also provide shelter to an outside area facing the river with bars, restaurants, shops and a museum, while a smaller arena beside the stadium will be renovated along with a number of additional training fields. Further plans include two new hotels, a medical centre, convention centre, marina and a cultural centre, all funded through private investment.
Porto Alegre´s international airport is also getting a major federal government funded overhaul to the tune of R$350 million, while Porto Alegre city and the state government are undertaking a range of urban transport improvements including a significant Rapid Bus Transit system.