At the end of last year, concerns were raised about the buoyancy of the BRIC economies – particularly Brazil’s. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted that Latin America would be one of the hardest hit by faltering growth in China. But let’s keep things in perspective. This is still a
country that is home to 196 million people, has the seventh largest economy in the world – set grow by 4% in 2013, fuelled by the upcoming 2014 World Cup and 2016 Rio Olympics. As these two sporting events gear up to accelerate
growth across Brazil, Emily Wright speaks to the man behind the London 2012 and the Rio 2016 Olympic masterplans. Bill Hanway, vice-president of global
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consultant giant Aecom, reveals where the latter is up to now that the London-Rio handover is done and dusted. You were heavily involved on the London 2012 masterplan. How has it felt shifting focus to Rio? When we found out we had won Rio in 2011 my colleague said “are we emotionally ready to
start this all over again?” because there is a huge emotional commitment. It was amazing to see London delivered. But then going to a different country into a different culture to do it again? Intimidating.