Qatar expects to spend $70 billion on infrastructure upgrades in anticipation of World Cup 2022.

In Spain, Barcelona used the 1992 Olympics as a catalyst to speed up previously established goals for urban regeneration. Barcelona spent six times as much on infrastructure (both Games infrastructure and supporting infrastructure) as it did on organizing the event itself. The city experienced a metamorphosis within five years that would otherwise have taken three decades.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), global demand for infrastructure will continue to expand significantly in the decades ahead, driven by global economic growth, technological progress, climate change, urbanization, and growing congestion.

“Investing in infrastructure offers a multitude of economic and social benefits to the region itself. It also offers a wealth of opportunity to international investors seeking new markets,” stated Pate.