General information
| Course type | AMUPIE |
| Module title | Megaprojects in regional and local development |
| Language | English |
| Module lecturer | dr inż. Wojciech Dyba |
| Lecturer's email | wojtek@amu.edu.pl |
| Lecturer position | Assistant Professor |
| Faculty | Faculty of Human Geography and Planning |
| Semester | 2026/2027 (summer) |
| Duration | 15 |
| ECTS | 3 |
| USOS code | 25-SDPP-AMU-PIE |
Timetable
The course aim is to present and discuss megaprojects – large-scale, physical, public projects that cost more than US$1 billion and attract a large amount of public attention because of their effects on communities, the natural and built environment, and budgets. They cover a range of project types, including such sectors/ domains as: energy, roads and transport infrastructure, sport and culture, cities and urban renewal, water-related, public utilities, science and technology, aerospace and military weapons. They are difficult to manage and the “iron law of megaprojects” states that they are most often over budget and over time. Although very often important from the perspective of creating conditions for economic development, megaprojects often bring serious challenges for the regional and local communities as well as natural environment, questioning to what extend they are in line with the “sustainable development” concept.
Module aim (aims)
- To present megaprojects: their types and examples
- To assess impact of megaprojects on regional and local development
- To present and discuss megaprojects in different continents and countries
Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)
The ability to communicate, discuss, negotiate and present in English.
Syllabus
- Megaprojects: definition and categories
- Development, sustainable development and the relation to the megaprojects concept
- Megaprojects by types, with their impacts on local communities
- Role-playing game: managing megaprojects and their effects to local communities
- Students presentations on selected megaprojects from around the World
Reading list
Altshuler, A.; Luberoff, D. (2003). Mega-Projects: The Changing Politics of Urban Public Investment. Brookings Institution Press. ISBN 978-0-8157-0129-3.
Flyvbjerg, B. (2014). What you Should Know about Megaprojects and Why: An Overview, Project Management Journal 6-19, 45, 2, doi: 10.1002/pmj.21409.
Merrow, W. (2024). Industrial Megaprojects: Concepts, Strategies, and Practices for Success. John Wiley & Sons Inc.