Preparing tourist spaces for the 2014 Fifa World Cup thoughts about deterritorialisation, reterritorialisation and gentrification

Abstract

The present paper has to aim into territorial reflect changes in Rio de Janeiro –which hosted some of the games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup–, including the preparation of urban space for accommodating tourists and setting up the necessary sports infrastructure for the mega event, identified as tourist areas. Based on newspaper clippings on the subject from the Brazilian press and bibliographic research, the study research method used was exploratory, which made it possible to adopt a qualitative outlook. It was assumed that there is currently sufficient information on the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Consequently, it was possible to expand the scope to include the relevant variables in the case study, which cannot be quantified. Tools used to collect information included bibliographical and document research, which enabled the study to conclude that the process of urban replanning adjusted the area to the needs of the sports mega event. It also triggered the displacement of the communities living in the areas targeted for improvement and expansion of the necessary infrastructures, in many cases against the will of the dwellers, with the excuse that their living conditions would improve, the risk of life would be reduced and appropriate housing would be guaranteed, while democratic access to goods and services was not expanded.