AECOM Technology Corporation, a leading provider of professional technical and management support services for government and commercial clients around the world, announced today that its master plan for the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games has been accepted by the city of Rio de Janeiro.
AECOM’s entry — which was created in a team effort with Rio-based DG Architecture, as well as Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Pujol Barcelona Architects and IMG Sports and Expedition — was chosen from a field of 59 teams originating from 18 countries.
AECOM’s master plan for the project focuses on approximately 300 acres of land in the district of Barra de Tijuca, southwest of Rio. It includes three phases: the Rio Olympic Park area during the 2016 Games, a transition plan and the final position showcasing the site in legacy mode after 2016.
“AECOM is very proud to be helping the city of Rio de Janeiro build a lasting legacy with its master plan.” said AECOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John M. Dionisio. “We are excited that our work will improve the quality of life for the city’s residents, businesses and visitors.”
The plan’s first phase shows the 300-acre site, which will host 15 Olympic sports competitions and 11 Paralympic contests.
The Media Center will also be constructed at the same location, which will host approximately 20,000 journalists.
The contract value for the master plan was not disclosed.
The second phase illustrates how the site can operate during the transition stage — a 5- to 7-year period of time following the Games when the site is not fully developed. The final phase comprises a legacy mode master plan that demonstrates economic, environmental and social sustainability development around the permanent structures and without the temporary structures.
The new permanent sports facilities will be concentrated around existing ones — the Maria Lenk Aquatic Center, Velodrome and HSBC Arena. After the Games, these facilities will be renamed as the “Olympic Training Center” and be used to discover and develop new sporting talents. 
Launch of AECOM’s sports group
The Rio win coincides with the launch of AECOM’s worldwide sports group showcasing AECOM’s enhanced capability in sporting projects, which draws together the expertise of the company’s international teams of economists, planners, architects, landscape architects, urban designers, cost consultants, project and program managers, management consultants, ecologists, hydrologists, archaeologists, transportation planners and others.
“Anyone planning a sporting project or event — mega, large or small — anywhere around the world can call on our team and our unique collaborative way of working on a project from start to finish,” said Dionisio.