Unvailing the Undesired Legacy of Mega Projects

Unvailing the Undesired Legacy of Mega Projects, Leonardo Herszon Meira, Professor, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco and Francesco Di Maddaloni, Lecturer in Project Studies & Major Infrastructure Delivery, The Bartlett at UCL.

In the video Leonardo and Francesco talks about Project Legacy, the social value, social affects of a megaprojects and how to assess such impact years after the project. What they have studied is an 80-year program, Port of Suape that now have come half way, 11 piers out of 33 are operational. It is now the biggest hub I Brazil for cars. The port became operational in its first step in 1983 so there is over 40 years of data. It is a controversial case showing that the port is a machine that makes a lot of money but the impact on the local community is bad and did not live up to the project promises at all. Poverty and unemployment are high, many do not have proper housing with poor sanitation and no running water. Instead, the project nomads that came to do work in the project from outside the local communities prosper..

The research with the harsh findings has been well received. “The state of Pernabuco, the Suape port are really interested to collaborate with us, see what the result are, see what they can improve as the plan for the master plan for the next step is to be approved. The port is now required by law to engage with communities and include social sustainability practice.”

What is your view after seeing the video?
What legacy will your project leave behind and how can you influence this during and after the project?

The video was taken at the IRNOP research conference I Stockholm where Leonardo and Francesco were speakers.