The 2010 FIFA World Cupâ is about more than just soccer. It is also an opportunity to improve the city's infrastructure. By harnessing the funds made available nationally for 2010-related facilities, including a new stadium, transport and other upgrades, the City expects post-2010 Cape Town to be a more desirable destination for leisure and business travellers, investors, and of course, its residents. This will be the lasting legacy of hosting the event.
Cape Town now boasts a new world-class, multi-purpose stadium; an upgraded urban park and sport precinct; upgraded airport, rail system, stations, new Integrated Rapid Transit system; upgraded roads and highways; eight new hotels and improved tourism infrastructure and services.
At least R12-billion in public sector investment has been spent in the city, with double that and more from the private sector.
The public transport plan is expected to be the biggest legacy benefit for Cape Town after 2010.
This will redress the balance between private and public transport, by ensuring that rail, rapid bus transport and a recapitalised taxi service move people about efficiently, and also reduce private car use - not only during the month-long tournament, but over the long-term.
There are also extra pedestrian walkways, cycle lanes and off-site parking.
The Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) spent R1.6-billion on upgrading Cape Town International Airport to cope with not only with the anticipated visitors over the tournament, but with a steadily increasing amount of traffic through the airport.