Les impacts urbains des évènements sportifs internationaux : les cas du parc municipal Américo Renné Giannetti à Belo Horizonte (Brésil) et la Coupe du monde de 2014
Mega sporting events have become an important global phenomenon. Host countries and cities use these events to promote an image of global development. Such events often lead to major urban renewal projects. The nature of the impact of such development project on local populations remains unclear. In light of these processes, this study had the objective of  identifying and analyzing differing local perspectives on the revitalization of the Américo  Renné Giannetti Municipal Park in Belo Horizonte (Brazil), within the context of spatial  transformations of the city for the 2014 World Cup. We begin by situating this research within  the literature that examines urban redevelopment in relationship to mega events. This literature suggests that, through the practices of urban entrepreneurialism, certain urban areas, such as parks and historical districts are transformed into "products" to be consumed by a very specific audience. In order to understand whether a similar type of process is under way in Belo Horizonte, we conducted a study of the history and contemporary transformation of the Municipal Park. Based on field observations, interviews with people who frequent the park, as well as interviews with individuals involved in the park management, we examine the social role that the park plays in Belo Horizonte. The analysis of different visions of the project leads us to conclude that the revitalization of the park for the World Cup responds to the interests of the private sector, particularly tourism. In this context, the social impact for the local population is inevitable. While the redevelopment of the park responds to the need of certain citizens, the alteration of the space leads to exclusions and reaffirms segregation in urban areas.
Exclusion International events World cup Revitalization Municipal Park Américo Renné Giannetti Urban entrepreneurship Exclusion Segregation