Integrated planning and implementation of megaproject-megaregion/associated urban development to improve (mutual) success and sustainability

Abstract

It is hypothesized that the integrated planning and implementation of megaproject-associated urban development or mega-region would improve the decision making in megaprojects by restricting scope, and hence, cost and time overrun, and there will be mutual economic, environmental, social and institutional sustainability. A recent study by John Landis (ed. book published in 2021) argues that megaprojects are ‘natural fit’ for megacities. In terms of components, with the aim of improving decision-making in megaprojects and improving mutual sustainability, the study will look into physical infrastructure and land use, phasing of mutual development in order to account for investment and return, integration of value of the megaproject and associated urban development (e.g. addressing need of vulnerable groups, addressing climate change), integration of stakeholders (megaproject promoter, developer, real estate delivering urban development, industries etc.), and integration of institutions. There are multiple examples of such cases in varied scale. For instance, economic and industrial corridors in India are a prototype, at a very large scale, expanded over four states or subnational boundaries, while Transit Oriented Developments are also a prototype, at a much smaller scale. The proposed project will look into both planning (involving transport and infrastructure planners, and landuse planners) and implementation (involving construction management professionals) stages. 

There are two main freight corridors planned in Indian context: the East freight corridor and the West freight corridor. The implementation of the East freight corridor is complete, while approximately 75% of the West freight corridor is implemented so far. Amongst the economic corridors, the basic infrastructures are implemented on the ground. The townships are going to be planned and implemented by the private sector partners. The study will present preliminary findings from an industrial corridor, where freight corridors form the spine, and an economic corridor, especially focussing on the planning stage, investigating how the megaproject and associated megaregional developments are planned to be successful and sustainable.