Qatar’s $220 Billion World Cup Price Tag Includes Rail, Solar

Sep 17, 2011 4 Comments by
Critics of Qatar's 2022 World Cup, refusing to acknowlege that the tiny Gulf nation has won the right to host the event, are now pointing to the costs. A German consultancy estimated that Doha's price tag could reach US$220 billion. About $50 billion would be spent on stadium construction and renovation; another $77 billion on facilities for soccer players and visitors; and $50 billion for transportation projects. Another $45 billion would be spend on constructing a new city, Lusail City, that could eventually be home to 200,000 residents.

Qatar currently has the world's highest per capita income, and perhaps with the exception of the World Cup extravaganza, is spending its money wisely. But in addition to investing money in technology that will keep athletes and fans cool during the soccer matches, Qatar promises an additional 85 miles of rail to transport commuters across the city and to all venues.

But the most exciting development is the building of the 12 venues for soccer matches. Some promise solar, others tout technologies such as cooling gels that will keep faciities and fans comfortable. If Qatar succeeds in transforming its landscape while allowing new and sustainable technologies to scale and decrease in cost, that $220 billion price tag may not seem to ridiculous after all.

energy, International, transportation

About the author

Leon Kaye is the founder and editor of GreenGoPost.com and its advisory division, GGP Media. Contact him to discuss how he can work with your organization or event. His focus is making the business case for sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). He writes for San Francisco-based Triple Pundit, Inhabitat and now The Guardian, for which he writes about waste, water, and green building. He has also written for AIA's Architect Magazine. Leon lives in Los Angeles, and when he has free time, he enjoys hiking, gardening, cooking, weightlifting, and planning his next trip to one of the 50+ countries he has visited. He has an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business and is also a proud graduate of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) and Cal State-Fresno.

4 Responses to “Qatar’s $220 Billion World Cup Price Tag Includes Rail, Solar”

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