Rio embarks on long urbanisation process

In a much needed attempt to overcome one of the city’s biggest problems, the Rio city council has launched a massive new push to ‘urbanise’ all of the metropolitan area´s favelas, a term incorporating both slums and shantytowns, by 2020. Significantly, one of the initial aims of the project is to open up new, safe and accessible public spaces, such as parks and sport facilities, in light of short term requirements involving preparations for both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

Security spending plan outlined

One of the key concerns for the 2014 Cup is security and the Brazilian authorities are already looking closely at the issue. According to a recent report in Brazil´s top newspaper, Folha de Sao Paulo, the government has committed to spend R$1.6 billion (currently just over AU$1 billion) on a range of Cup-specific investments in the sector, including specialised police equipment and training.

Rio´s Port offering chances for Australian designers

Five new construction projects forming part of Rio´s port area redevelopment, all to be used for the Rio 2016 Olympics, will be the subject of an international design competition set to be promoted over the coming months. The Architecture Institute of Brazil will run the contest, which will require all designs to be ready by February 2011, following which an auction will be held to determine the developers.

The projects involve the media and judges village as well as facilities for IT and non-official media. Further details of the competition will be forwarded as they come to hand.

August a busy month for Australian initiatives involving Brazil 2014 & Rio 2016

The Australian Latin America Business Council (ALABC), Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat (AISES), Austrade and Industry Capability Network (ICN) have formed an alliance to assist and support Australian businesses target and compete for contracts in Brazil. During August, a number of briefings will be hosted in Sydney (10/8), Melbourne (12/8) and Brisbane (19/8) to discuss business opportunities for Australian companies, all featuring presentations by market and industry experts. More details here.

Airlines starting to worry about airports and the Cup

In a clear warning about the need for quick and decisive action to upgrade Brazil’s airports, the country’s main airline companies have questioned the ability of the federal government’s central airports body to resolve existing infrastructure deficiencies in the near future, let alone have host cities ready on time for the 2014 World Cup.

Rio 2011 Military World Games fast approaching

In less than a year the 5th Military World Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, giving the city another small taste of what is in store come 2016 and where improvements are required. The event will utilise various existing facilities around the city, including Stadium Rio (formerly João Havelange Olympic Stadium), which was built for the 2007 Pan-American Games. There will be approximately 4,900 athletes from over 100 countries competing in 24 sports.

Green building and the 2014 Cup

As 2014 preparations pick up speed all around Brazil, a central theme to many of the projects is sustainable design, a factor essential to much of the funding available through the federal government´s BNDES (National Development Bank) and Caixa public banks.

Spreading the benefits of 2016 Olympics around Brazil

Outside of Rio, the 2016 Olympics are also driving new promises for upgraded sporting facilities around Brazil. This week heavyweight Presidential candidate José Serra has pledged to establish a number of Olympic centres of excellence throughout the country if elected this October. He said the facilities would not only be used by Brazilian athletes preparing for the Games but would also host foreign delegations in the lead up to the two week extravaganza.