Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations

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The Rise of Megaprojects in Emerging Economies: The Cases of the New Administrative Capital and Horus in Egypt
(Saudi Digital Library, 2023) Alshareef, Reem; Autsin, Zimerman
This paper examines why emerging economics continue to pursue large-scale urban developments, specifically megaprojects, despite well-documented track record of under-delivery and cost overruns. The paper argues that megaprojects are less driven by economic analysis and more by what Flybjerg calls "the four sublimes": technological (the thrill of building the biggest/tallest), aesthetic (creating beautiful, economic structures), political (leaving a lasting legacy), and economic (generating money flows and attracting FDI). These motivations, combined with technological determinism lead governments to initiate massive projects with high risks. Using Egypt's New Administrative Capital and Horus City as case studies, the author demonstrates how these projects embody grand visions -smart ciites, Dubai-like developments, recaptured historical grandeur for civilisations past- that are essentially fictional expectations supported by economic predictions. The author states that without fundamental changes to governance, accountability, and development paradigms, megaprojects will continue to prioritise elite visions over local needs, entrenching social inequality rather than addressing Egypt's deep-seated social issues.
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