Brasilia warming up

DW Akademie International Media Studies

Brasilia getting prepared for the World Cup

Mariana dos Santos Batista Student Number: 9020132

Photo: Lula Marques

World Cup 2014

Brasilia warming-up The Brazilian capital is expanding its structure to welcome visitors from all over the world. The most expansive stadium of all host cities is just waiting for the first match.

By Mariana Santos

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short glimpse is sufficient to notice the various renovations underway almost everywhere at the Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport in Brasilia. In only five months from now, the third biggest Brazilian airport will be one of the main entrances for hundreds of thousands of tourists seeking great days of fun during the World Cup, hosted this year in the South American country.

To prepare the flight terminals for the increase on demand, about 380 million dollars were invested last months in expanding the parking area, buying modern equipment, building new facilities, and refurbishing existing ones. According to Inframerica, the private company that manages the Brazilian JK, by June the capacity of the airport will increase from the current 16 million up to 21 million passengers per year – the same as Dusseldorf International Airport.

Until now, mainly visited by people more interested in the capital’s political daily life, young Brasilia has high expectations for the World Cup to provide the opportunity to advertise its unique architecture and urban planning, as well as the rich natural beauty surrounding the city, to help boost the still weak tourism sector. The Ministry of Tourism estimates that at least

600.000 tourists will come to the city of 2,5 million inhabitants for the games, one third of them foreigners.

At the limit In fact, at first glance the capacity of the airport seems to be already at the limit. It is the third week of the December and everywhere there are crowds of loud people coming and going, at all times of day, at the check-in counters to the landing hall. Passport control of passengers who just get off international flights is performed by only a few security agents, very often forcing the visitors to wait in long queues before leaving the arrival area. It must be said that today Brasilia serves only four international destinations.

“If it is like this now, can you image how it will be during the World Cup?”, complains a well-dressed woman, pulling her suitcase off the baggage conveyor and pointing to the long and confusing customs queue. Imagina na Copa – or “imagine during the World Cup” – has become an often repeated catchphrase among many Brazilians, who argue that the country is not prepared to host such a big event, and should not spend so much money in it.

Unlike many American and European cities, Brasilia

Challenging deadlines Since Brazil was chosen to host the world soccer championship in 2014, the country has been showing FIFA that accomplishing timeframes is not its strength.

So far, half of 12 host stadiums failed to meet the endof-December deadline to be completed – among them is the Itaqueirao in Sao Paulo, where the opening ceremony is planned for June 12. Delays have also affected work on hotels, airports, and transportation systems.

The organization has been facing all sorts of difficulties: financial problems, worker safety issues, and construction site accidents.

Brasilia’s National Stadium Mané Garrincha, however, was one of the first to be ready and has already been tested during the Confederations Cup last June.

The imposing building has been praised for its beauty – and criticized for its high cost of construction: around 600 million dollars. According to a study published by the Brazilian newspaper Estado de S.Paulo, this is the most expensive stadium in this World Cup and the third most expensive in the world, behind only Wembley and Emirates stadiums, both in London.

Big investments The imposing stadium is even more impressive the closer you get. It is located close to the “body” axis of the city, designed in the shape of an airplane. With a

capacity of 71.000 spectators and displaying advanced green technology, the grand Mané Garrincha, however, is seen by many citizens as a big waste of money.

Brasilia has no relevant local soccer team and many people are skeptical about a rational use for it after the games. Nevertheless the head of World Cup preparations in Brasilia, Claudio Monteiro, guarantees the stadium will generate profit in the future.

“There is no stadium in the world that survives only with the cashflow of matches. There will be some shops, restaurants, bars, a cinema, and a theater.

This will be the first building in the world under this conception”, says Monteiro.

More room for interaction Though the public transportation in Brasilia is considered chaotic and inefficient by many visitors and citizens who prefer to drive their own cars – there is one car for every 2,5 inhabitants – transport may not become an issue for World Cup tourists. The Hotel Sectors North and South are close to the National Stadium, which can be reached by foot.

According to the hotel association, finding a place to stay during the World Cup might not a problem either in the capital. By May, the number of hotel accommodations will have increased 10%, say association representatives.

Even if hotel rooms are scarce, about 2.700 extra places should be offered through a program called Cama e Café (“Bed and Breakfast”). Based on the popular couch surfing movement, but definitely not free, the website helps tourists to find accommodation in cozy apartments or houses owned by local families. The advantage for the guest is hospitality at, in many cases, a lower cost. For the host, it means extra cash. And for both, of course, an interesting culture exchange.

Photo: Hmenon Oliveira/GDF

has no train or metro station at the airport – bus, cab or car are the only available options for transportation to the city. To provide more comfort for those who will arrive in June and July, the local government is racing against time to enlarge the airport runway and the main roundabout. The scene now, however, is a huge unfinished construction site only 300 meters away from the airport.

Although doubted by many, the government affirms that 70% of the work at the site is done. Recently, the vice-governor visited the building site and set a deadline for completion: April 30, 45 days before the opening of the soccer competition.

“If they do not finish it in time for the World Cup it will be complete chaos”, predicts Francisco Lima, a 56 year-old who has worked as a taxi driver in Brasilia for more than 10 years. He turns down the radio and stresses that there is only one access road to the airport and he is already concerned with possible disturbances in June and July, similar to the ones that happened last year. “If protesters decide to block this street that leads to the terminal, it can be a serious problem”, he warns. The air conditioning inside the car feels like it is set to European winter mode. The thermometer outside shows 30 degrees.

A huge unfinished construction site is to be seen only 300 meters from the airport – everything ready until the June?

National Stadium Mané Garrincha

Photo: Mariana Santos

Date of inauguration: May 18, 2013 It will host 7 matches in the World Cup Cost: 600 million dollars Capacity: 71.000 fans

Brasilia getting prepared for the Cup:

You getting prepared for the Cup:

- The central government provided 921 million dollars for the enhancement of urban mobility in Brasilia – expanded metro lines, new roads, and modern buses.

- English translations have been added to many road signs to help foreign tourist navigate the city.

- About 380 million dollars were invested in the International Airport, to boost capacity to accommodate 21 million travelers per year.

- Three thousand new hotel rooms in the central area will be added by May.

- Interested in booking a room in a family house?

Search for the best option at Cama e Café, www. camaecafe.com.br.

- There are good options for ecoturism near Brasilia. One of them is the charming and cozy Pirenopolis, 150 km away from the capital. Check www.pirenopolis.tur.br.

- Keep in mind that, like in other Brazilian big cities (Rio or Sao Paulo), public security is an issue in Brasilia as well. Be careful.

- You can also find this article online on entaotabonn.blogspot.de.

Photo: Fabio Pozzebom/Abr

Brasília and its unique architecture: Here, the Cultural Complex of the Republic (left), the Cathedral (right) and the Ministries Esplanade (back). Since 1987 the city is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO