Olympics-related urban interventions in Barcelona and in Rio de Janeiro: A look at territorial equality legacies

Abstract

In a time of increasing global competition for sport mega events (SME), evaluating urban legacies becomes crucial, particularly as successes increasingly favor less developed countries. Barcelona stands as one of the best example among host cities, with its legacy remaining a contentious subject. This paper evaluates Olympic-related urban interventions and territorial equality legacies, drawing a comparison between the development models of Barcelona (1992) and Rio de Janeiro (2016). Utilizing five key criteria–Olympic site selection, city public transportation improvement, eviction problems, environmental commitments, and sport mega-event costs–the paper examines Rio's alignment with the successful Barcelona model. Despite procedural similarities, Rio's outcomes raise doubts, particularly regarding territorial equality. The evaluation shows Rio's shortcomings in all five criteria, highlighting the need for a detailed understanding of urban legacies in SMEs. While Rio may have followed Barcelona in form, the paper emphasizes content distinctions, prompting considerations for future urban planning in host cities.