Should Rio's Event-Oriented Investment Be Spread More Widely?

As Rio de Janiero prepares for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, the city is pursuing several "flagship urban renovation and transportation projects." Should this investment extend to the millions living in low-income bedroom communities?

2 minute read

February 12, 2013, 2:00 PM PST

By boramici


Several major urban development and transportation projects are under way in Rio De Janiero as the city prepares for the influx of visitors when it hosts the 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2016 Summer Olympics and large events associated with the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and World Youth Catholic Day.

According to Urban Development Specialist Mario Durran, the city is undertaking more than just a manicuring effort, investing billions of dollars to remedy long-term infrastructure problems.

Waterfront development in Puerto Maravilha seeks to reconnect the port to the rest of the city through light rail, dedicated bike lanes and the demolition of a double-deck freeway and to establish a mix of uses to populate the area.

The construction of Metro Line 4 will relieve one of the most congested transitways between Rio and the southern suburbs, and three bus rapid transit routes are projected to ferry people back and forth when the games begin. The first phase of the BRT project was completed in 2012 with over 1 million passengers using the system daily.

Bike Rio, which began operating in 2011 provides access to the city's beaches through a bikesharing program popular with tourists. The city is also expanding its bike routes network.

The Rio metro area is home to 12.6 million people with only 50 percent living within the city limits. Largely neglecting the 18 other municipalities consisting of mostly low-income bedroom communities, Rio's infrastructure improvements could stand to extend their reach to the region, contends Durran.

Sunday, February 10, 2013 in urb.im

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight