Search Results (35)

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to diversify the economy away from oil by reallocating public expenditure from current consumption toward infrastructure mega-projects. This research estimates and compares the fiscal multipliers of government consumption and government investment on non-oil GDP using quarterly data from 2010Q2 to 2026Q1. A vector error correction model with Cholesky identification is employed alongside local projections to ensure robustness. Results indicate that the investment multiplier is substantially larger and more persistent than the consumption multiplier, reaching 2.34 after twelve quarters compared to 0.58 for consumption. A structural break analysis reveals that multipliers have increased markedly since 2016, with the eight-quarter investment multiplier rising from 1.24 pre-Vision 2030 to 2.61 thereafter. Variance decomposition confirms that government investment shocks explain over 27% of non-oil output fluctuations at longer horizons, independent of oil price movements. These findings provide empirical support for the strategic emphasis on capital formation under Vision 2030 and suggest that prioritising infrastructure investment over current expenditure yields superior growth dividends in a diversifying oil economy. Full article

The rapid reshoring of semiconductor manufacturing in the United States has introduced large-scale, energy-intensive industrial facilities into metropolitan regions increasingly exposed to climate-related infrastructure pressures. While existing research on industrial development often emphasizes agglomeration-driven economic spillovers, less attention has been given to how the early operational period of such facilities corresponds with surrounding commercial activity, particularly in peri-urban and greenfield suburban contexts. This study examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of localized commercial vitality surrounding semiconductor fabrication facilities in Phoenix, Arizona, and Austin, Texas. High-frequency point-of-interest (POI) mobility data are used to measure localized commercial activity, while regional electricity load records provide contextual information on metropolitan-scale demand conditions. Using a comparative Difference-in-Differences (DiD) framework combined with distance-band analysis and sectoral-temporal stratification, the study evaluates activity patterns between 2020 and 2025. The results indicate that the early operational period of the Phoenix facility is associated with a sustained relative divergence in mobility-derived commercial activity compared with the Austin benchmark trajectory. Spatial analysis identifies a clear distance-dependent gradient, with the largest relative reductions concentrated in intermediate suburban zones rather than immediately adjacent to the facility. Sectoral and temporal analyses further show larger reductions in dining and nighttime activity than in routine retail and daytime activity. Overall, the findings suggest that the early operational period of large industrial mega-projects may be associated with differentiated commercial activity trajectories across surrounding suburban environments. More broadly, the study demonstrates how high-frequency mobility data can be used to examine spatiotemporal variation in commercial vitality around major industrial developments. Full article

Coastal zones in arid regions are particularly vulnerable to climate change because of their limited sediment supply and high sensitivity to marine and aeolian forces. This study provides probabilistic projections of coastal evolution for a 130 km segment of the Duba shoreline, Saudi Arabia, a rapidly developing region that includes the NEOM mega-project. An integrated modeling framework was developed by combining a four-decade (1985–2024) diachronic analysis of shoreline evolution from Landsat imagery with a cascade of numerical models. Specifically, climate projections from CMIP6 (under SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 scenarios) were dynamically downscaled using the regional climate models COSMO-CLM and RegCM, which provided boundary conditions for the SWAN hydrodynamic model to simulate the wave dynamics. The SWAN outputs were then used to force the Delft3D morphodynamic model to project future shoreline evolution. A Bayesian framework was applied to systematically quantify and integrate the uncertainties across all modeling steps, enabling robust probabilistic forecasts. Results indicate an accelerated trend of shoreline retreat, with mean Net Shoreline Movement (NSM) by 2100 ranging from −8.1 m under the low-emission SSP1-2.6 scenario to a critical −25.6 m under the high-emission SSP5-8.5 scenario, with 95% confidence intervals reaching −47.9 m. This erosion is mainly driven by a projected relative sea-level rise of up to 48.3 cm (±15.8 cm) and an increase in significant wave height of up to 40% (mean of 1.95 m). By delivering probabilistic rather than deterministic results, this study provides a solid scientific basis to guide sustainable coastal management, inform the design of risk-sensitive infrastructure, and support the development of climate-resilient adaptation strategies in one of the world’s most rapidly transforming coastal regions. Full article

In the environment of modern climate uncertainty, institutional uncertainty, and digital disruption, resilience along the supply chain has become a strategic imperative for organisations operating in large-scale, high-risk infrastructure ecosystems. According to the dynamic capabilities’ theory, the current study examines the degree to which big data analytics management capability (BDMC) supports supply chain resilience (SCR) through three intermediary mechanisms, including fintech adoption (FTA), circular economy activities (CEA), Internet of Things (IoT), and environmental dynamism acts as a moderating factor to determine the effect that external volatility conditions have on such associations. This study addresses several notable research gaps: (1) the insufficient theorization of how digital tools such as BDMC, FTA, IoT, and CEA interact in building SCR; (2) a lack of empirical clarity on the mediating mechanisms that link digital capabilities with resilience; and (3) limited understanding of the moderating role of environmental dynamism in volatile contexts like the CPEC. A survey was conducted among 441 mid and senior level professionals residing in Pakistan and working in industries related to the China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC). Structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that BDMC has a significant, positive impact on SCR, as well as a mediated influence in this direction. Among mediating sets, the significant pathway discovered CEA supported by the next important pathway IoT and FTA, which also explained the layered (complementary) nature of both digital and sustainability targeting skills. Moreover, the factor of environmental dynamism was also found to have a positive moderating effect on the relationship between BDMC and SCR, indicating that the factor of dynamic capabilities becomes more significant in an environment where environmental uncertainty is high. The research questions driving this study are: (1) How does BDMC enable SCR in the CPEC context? (2) What are the mediating roles of FTA, CEA, and IoT in this relationship? (3) How does environmental dynamism moderate the BDMC-SCR nexus? Theoretically, this study extends DCT to an emerging megaproject context and conceptualizes BDMC as an orchestrating capability. The main innovation lies in integrating digital technologies and sustainability practices into a unified capability system, especially within high-risk, underdeveloped regions. The study provides a practical resilience roadmap for policymakers and firms, outlining the strategic integration of digital and circular practices, rather than merely adopting them. However, this study is limited by its cross-sectional survey design and its focus on a single geographic context, which may affect generalizability. Findings offer timely insights for resilience-building strategies in unstable organisational environments. Full article

The complexities of megaprojects, particularly major transportation infrastructure projects (MTIs), require technological innovation that advances economic, social, and ecological objectives. Traditional engineering innovation emphasizes economic gains while neglecting sustainability. Therefore, implementing green innovation (GI) in MTIs is essential. This research examines key factors and correlations influencing MTI-GI to strengthen theoretical understanding and guide effective implementation. First, literature and interviews are used to identify MTI-GI influencing factors through the technology–organization–environment (TOE) framework. Second, an intuitive fuzzy number approach reduces subjectivity in expert scoring and, combined with the DEMATEL method, constructs a fuzzy DEMATEL model to quantify factor importance and identify critical drivers. Critical factors are then analyzed to formulate GI promotion strategies. Results reveal that MTI-GI influencing factors span technology, organization, and environment dimensions. Prioritizing green technological innovation and feedback mechanisms, optimizing organizational structures, and aligning with regional environmental characteristics are crucial for successful MTI-GI implementation. These findings support GI expansion in MTIs and offer targeted strategies for managing complex systems. Full article

This study critically examines the rapid proliferation of megaprojects across the Arab region, with a focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where large-scale developments are strategically deployed to reshape global economic influence and enhance geopolitical positioning. Megaprojects, characterized by their vast scale, substantial financial investment, and long-term impact, remain a subject of intense academic debate. While much of the literature questions their economic viability, citing frequent cost overruns and misalignment with localized urban priorities, megaprojects continue to emerge worldwide. Governments and developers promote megaprojects as catalysts for foreign investment, tourism growth, and enhancing the global stature of host countries and regions. Beyond financial and economic imperatives, megaprojects are fundamentally shaped by socio-spatial, socio-political, and capital accumulation dynamics, each playing a critical role in their justification and implementation. These interconnected forces influence the prioritization of large-scale developments, often reinforcing their persistence as dominant urban and infrastructural strategies despite well-documented uncertainties and risks. The study employs a comparative case study approach to analyze two high-profile megaprojects: Masdar City in Abu Dhabi and The Line in NEOM, Saudi Arabia. By examining their underlying motivations, political, social, and economic dynamics, and projected success factors, the study aims to provide an evidence-based assessment of the forces driving these large-scale developments and their potential for completion and long-term viability. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on megaproject development by offering a nuanced, evidence-based analysis of the socio-political and economic forces shaping large-scale urban initiatives in the Arab region. By critically evaluating the motivations and viability of Masdar City and The Line, this research provides valuable insights that can inform future scholarly inquiries into the governance, planning, and long-term sustainability of megaprojects. The Study offers a strategic framework for policymakers, urban planners, and investors to make more informed, balanced decisions that align large-scale developments with broader economic and social priorities, mitigating risks associated with cost overruns, feasibility challenges, and socio-spatial disparities. Full article

To implement the “Green Transition” in civil engineering, this study provides a new critical perspective analyzing the sustainability measures adopted by two European megaprojects. Government regulations and legislation, reward mechanism, technological innovations, the carbon evaluation system as well as tracking and monitoring systems are further discussed in this research to manage megaprojects in a more sustainable way. Document reviews, field trips (both exhibition area and construction sites), and in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders were conducted regarding two European megaprojects, namely the A16 Ring Road in the Netherlands and Fehmarnbelt Tunnel in Denmark, when it comes to sustainability transitions. Notwithstanding the regional limitations of the selected case studies, the results illustrate that the implemented policies and regulations promote the sustainability transitions in projects and lead to environmental and societal benefits. Among the others, the requirement to quantify the carbon emissions is a central step during the tendering and execution phases of the megaprojects. Future studies need to comprehensively address the challenges related to project management and sustainable transitions as well as delve into other possible practices implemented locally in different locations. Local policies and regulations, innovation in technology and materials as well as the quantification of environmental impacts are key aspects to accelerate such change towards carbon neutrality. Full article

The indispensable significance of megaprojects to a nation’s economy, society, and infrastructure demands ongoing efforts to alleviate the environmental consequences they produce. Nonetheless, the adoption of sustainable practices and legislation is infrequent in developing countries, chiefly due to the substantial expenses linked to sustainable construction methods. The fundamental goal of this quantitative research is to establish a framework for the execution of sustainable practices and regulations. It aims to provide indicators for these rules, examine their relationship with these dimensions, and ultimately explore the moderating influence of cost. Data from the Zambian construction sector were acquired and evaluated using the partial least squares approach. The analysis indicated that the indicators were ideal for implementing rules and sustainable practices to mitigate the environmental impacts of megaprojects, primarily because of their strong correlation with the variables. Secondly, they enhanced the correlation between sustainable construction and the reduction of environmental damage. Third, the adverse impact of elevated expenses in this relationship obstructs the implementation of these policies. The results demonstrate that elevated expenses hinder the execution of certain regulations. A reduced expense for sustainable construction would significantly promote the implementation of these regulations. This study lays out a framework for the construction industry to adopt and follow environmentally friendly rules and practices. These recommendations will lessen the damage that big projects do to the environment and improve the connection between sustainable construction and the environment. Full article

South Africa is a leader in the scholarship on green urbanism in the Global South, but academic progress has not translated to broad implementation. Notably, government-subsidized housing projects have produced peripheral developments featuring low build quality, conventional gray infrastructure, and deficient socio-economic and environmental amenities. Declining delivery and increasing informal settlement spawned a 2014 shift to housing megaprojects to increase output and improve living conditions, socio-economic integration, and sustainability. The shift offered opportunities for a normative focus on greener development mirrored in the discourse surrounding project descriptions. Yet, the level of enactment has remained unclear. In reflecting on these points, this paper employs environmental justice as a theoretical framework and completes a comprehensive review of the academic literature on housing megaprojects and the depth of their greener development commitments. A three-phase, seven-stage review protocol retrieves the relevant literature, and bibliometric and qualitative content analyses identify publication trends and themes. Results indicate limited scholarship on new megaprojects with sporadic and superficial references to greener development, mostly reserved for higher-income segments and private developments. In response, this paper calls for more determined action to launch context-aware and just greener megaprojects and offers corresponding guidance for research and practice of value to South Africa and beyond. Full article

Megaprojects are complex systems comprising interdependent subsystems and diverse stakeholders, each contributing to the project’s resilience and long-term outcomes. Traditional methods for assigning stakeholder influence often assume that stakeholders operate independently when evaluating subsystem resilience. However, these approaches overlook the intricate dynamics—such as competition and collaboration—that frequently characterize stakeholder interactions in megaprojects. This study addresses this gap by introducing a novel framework based on game theory and network analysis to assess megaproject resilience. The model incorporates both stakeholder interactions and subsystem interdependencies, using a networked game approach to dynamically allocate stakeholder weights. These weights reflect cooperative and conflicting relationships among stakeholders. The framework optimizes a stakeholder’s utility function by balancing marginal benefits, costs, and interaction effects, ensuring rational and adaptive weight distribution. The resulting solution represents a unique Nash equilibrium, identified as the optimal configuration for stakeholder influence. To validate the framework, the study applies it to the Jakarta–Bandung High-Speed Railway (JBHSR) megaproject, demonstrating its capacity to integrate theoretical rigor with practical application. Through mathematical proofs and simulations, the research explores how model parameters influence two critical solution properties: order consistency and stability. Comparative analysis with established methods, such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and simple averaging, highlights the proposed model’s superior ability to capture stakeholder dynamics and adapt to the evolving nature of megaprojects throughout their lifecycle. The findings emphasize the model’s utility in delivering more nuanced resilience evaluations by accounting for stakeholder roles, relationships, and contributions. Specifically, this framework advances theory by merging network analysis with game theory to capture dynamic stakeholder influences, while offering practitioners a real-time mechanism to manage and optimize stakeholder interactions for improved resilience across the entire megaproject lifecycle. Its adaptability to full lifecycle assessments makes it a robust and scalable tool for managing resilience in large-scale infrastructure projects, offering valuable insights for both practitioners and researchers. Full article

While extensive research has delved into the impact of management strategies on project outcomes, the specific influence of alliance management on infrastructure megaprojects remains less explored. This study delves into the relationship between alliance management capability and performance in the context of infrastructure megaprojects. Central to our investigation is the hypothesis that collaborative conflict management mediates this relationship, with leader–member exchange playing a moderating role. Based on 205 surveys collected from 13 megaprojects in China, regression analysis and bootstrapping methods were used to test the research hypotheses. The findings reveal a positive correlation between alliance management capability and infrastructure megaproject performance, mediated by collaborative conflict management. Significantly, leader–member exchange acts as a moderator in the alliance management capability–collaborative conflict management nexus. These insights underscore the pivotal role of alliance management capability in elevating project performance, meriting increased attention in future empirical research. By shedding light on the mediating and moderating mechanisms at play, this paper unravels the complexities of how alliance management capability impacts project performance, offering practical guidance for industry practitioners. Full article

Delays and disruptions (D&D) are considered chronic peculiarities of the construction phase of the built environment, especially in megaprojects. Systematic monitoring of claimable D&D causes becomes crucial for the contractors to compensate for their losses caused by delays and disruptions, enabling sustainable use of resources. Thus, this study proposed a delay and disruption (D&D) cause monitoring framework that enables contractors to timely and accurately detect claimable delays and disruption causes/events in megaprojects. At the outset, a systematic literature review was conducted to design an initial version of the framework and extract claimable D&D. Then, focus group discussion (FGD) sessions were conducted to revise and refine the initial version of the framework and a list of claimable D&D causes. Next, a fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis was conducted to determine the relative importance of each claimable D&D cause in terms of its impact on the megaprojects. Finally, a consistency analysis was conducted to demonstrate the reliability of the dataset. Findings revealed that claimable D&D causes are indispensable parts of the claim management process. In this manner, the proposed framework recommends monitoring the claimable D&D causes regularly during the whole construction phase of the megaprojects. The fuzzy AHP analysis also revealed that causes such as “Suspension of project activities by the owner”, “Errors and clashes in the design”, “Shortage of construction materials in the market”, “Discovery of fossils and historical artifacts”, “Unavailability of the commissioning team on the due date”, and “Late delivery of testing materials and utilities by the owner” were particularly rated as highly critical causes, needing urgent and sophisticated monitoring plan for timely detection and data collection. By introducing a proactive approach to avoid lengthy and costly dispute resolution processes, this study enables decision-makers to enhance sustainability in the built environment. Full article

One of the main Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in project management for built environment or physical infrastructure projects is “How will this project scope be delivered on time and under budget, addressing health and safety in a sustainable way?” This article presents a parallel point of view summarised in a competing question: “Have you followed a systems engineering methodology to detail interfaces and integrations in the business case?” Megaprojects face multiple risks that incur project delays and cost overruns; hence, this article proposes a simple but nevertheless innovative model that incorporates a systems engineering framework at the start of the built environment or physical infrastructure project: the business case phase. This proposed approach seeks to derisk megaprojects composed of complex systems of systems (SoSs) in their earliest stage when financial decisions based on cost estimations have to be made. The scope of this article covers built environment and physical infrastructure projects and their associated ICT, digital, and technology programmes, rather than purely IT developments. The inconvenient truth is this additional systems engineering task embedded in the business case comes at a further project CAPEX cost that decision makers or stakeholders should be willing to accept as it provides a wider technical vision of the project and better quantifies the Return on Investment (ROI). Full article

Globally, the forced displacement of socially vulnerable communities causes significant contestation, irrespective of whether that occurs for mega-projects or smaller infrastructural, agricultural, urban renewal, or property developments. Despite multilateral guidelines for “socially inclusive” development, it is difficult to avoid the marginalization of evicted, local communities. Grounded on the credibility thesis, this article provides a new, theoretical basis for understanding the “social function of property” and how this may be used as a criterion to assess whether development-induced and resettlement projects should be given the go-ahead. Methodologically, this article employs the FAT (Formal, Actual, and Targeted) Institutional Framework to unpack the social function of property. To this end, it analyzes the acquisition and privatization of the common property of Indigenous Peoples to construct the Malaysian Bakun Hydroelectric Project, purportedly Asia’s second-largest dam. The FAT analysis ascertains the following three conditions on which basis projects should be halted: (1) the property of the evicted communities fulfills a critical role in providing social welfare; (2) the said function is disregarded by the expropriating agency; (3) the power divides between the expropriator and expropriated prevent meaningful participation by the latter. This study demonstrates that the social function of property can be effectively measured and validates the FAT Framework as a viable tool to analyze development-induced projects (and policies), with particular reference to expropriation, privatization, and formalization. Full article

The implementation of a circular economy (CE) in the construction sector faces several challenges that hinder its progress. Research on the awareness, key enablers, and potential benefits of CE in Saudi Arabia’s construction of mega-projects that could contribute and promote a successful transition is still at its early stages and remains limited. This study delves into CE awareness and understanding, identifying the key enablers that could support its successful adoption in Saudi Arabian mega-projects and the potential benefits associated with it. To achieve this, a comprehensive literature review was conducted, followed by 18 semi-structured interviews across three case studies, which involved the main stakeholders in building, urban development, and infrastructure projects. The findings, which are thematically analysed, revealed that CE awareness mostly focuses on reuse, recycle, and waste reduction. A significant gap in the knowledge of circularity throughout projects’ lifecycles has been identified. As such, this study concludes that the key enablers for CE include establishing regulatory frameworks, enhancing professionals’ awareness and education, promoting the use of advanced technology, ensuring a mature market, and supporting CE initiatives. Moreover, the potential environmental and socio-economic benefits of CE, such as cost reduction, environmental impact reduction, and better-improved quality of life are crucial for encouraging a wider implementation of CE in the construction of mega-projects in Saudi Arabia. Full article