The Kalimantan Border Oil Palm Mega-project

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wakker, E.

2006-04-01

A few years ago, the Indonesian government and sections of the palm oil industry united in the Indonesian Palm Oil Commission (IPOC) to undertake efforts to restore the atrocious public image that the palm oil industry had earned abroad for its role in the demise of Indonesia's tropical rainforests, the massive forest fires and haze in 1997-1998, and for the widespread conflicts between plantation companies and local communities. If IPOC succeeded in restoring the palm oil industry's image abroad, it was shattered again after June 2005 when the Indonesian Minister of Agriculture revealed details of a government plan to develop the world's largest oil palm plantation in a 5-10 kilometer band along the border of Kalimantan and Malaysia. To finance the USD 567 million plantation project, the Indonesian President and Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) had already met up with the Chinese government and private sector several times, resulting in Memoranda of Understanding between (among other) the Artha Graha and Sinar Mas groups from Indonesia and the Chinese CITIC group and Chinese Development Bank (CDB). The oil palm mega-project, launched in Indonesia under the banner of 'bringing prosperity, security and environmental protection to the Kalimantan border area', turned sour when a business plan developed by the Indonesian State Plantation Corporation (PTPN) began to circulate. This document contained a map that showed beyond doubt how the 1.8 million hectare oil palm project would trash the primary forests of three National Parks, cut through rugged slopes and mountains utterly unsuitable for oil palm cultivation and annihilate the customary rights land of the indigenous Dayak communities in the border area. This report describes what has come of the Kalimantan border oil palm mega-plan since it was announced, who is involved and what research, lobby and campaigning has led to so far. In particular, this study aims to inform civil society organizations, palm oil

Physicists band together to support a new megaproject

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Flam, F.

1993-01-01

As the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) flirts with death in the congressional budget process for a second year, another mammoth science project is coming to life. Just a few days after the House voted to kill the $10 billion particle accelerator last month, it approved next year's funding for a megaproject that is a little cheaper and a lot less familiar: a $2.7 billion nuclear reactor known as the Advanced Neutron Source (ANS), to be built at Tennessee's Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a national facility for probing materials with beams of neutrons. The project's success in the House is a sign that physicists can still make a case for big science-at least when the project has a broad scientific constituency and plausible links to national competitiveness. When the facility is completed in 2002, it will be the world's most powerful neutron source, delivering 10 times the flux of neutrons produced by its nearest competitor, at the Institute Lau-Langevin in Grenoble, France. For now, designs call for a reactor about one-tenth the size of a power reactor, says project director West. Fission in the reactor core will send out a steady stream of neutrons. Slowed by heavy water to little more than walking speed, the neutrons will be carried through guides that work like fiber optic cables-by reflecting the neutrons internally, like tennis balls ricocheting down a pipe-to experiments tens or hundreds of meters away. There the neutrons will probe the atomic-scale structure of materials in a way that depends on quantum mechanical quality. Like any subatomic particles, neutrons can be thought of as waves as well as particles. When they bombard matter, their wave nature comes into play. The slow neutrons from the ANS will have a wavelength about equal to the spacing between atoms in a typical solid, making the neutrons especially sensitive to atom-by-atom architecture

Providing cleaner energy access in Indonesia through the megaproject of kerosene conversion to LPG

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Budya, Hanung; Yasir Arofat, Muhammad

2011-01-01

In 2007 Indonesia undertook a massive energy program to convert its primary cooking fuel from kerosene to LPG in more than 50 million households. This megaproject, to be completed in late 2011, provided an improved household cooking fuel, with its associated benefits in user costs, cleanliness, convenience, and environment, and reduced the government's huge subsidy for petroleum fuels. Presented from the perspective of Pertamina, Indonesia's sole NOC, and the program implementer, this paper describes the background of the fuels situation, the planning stages, including the preparatory analytical work, targeted market surveys and tests, and the subsequent building of the financial, technical, and institutional models for carrying out the program on an expeditious schedule. It presents the project's major execution steps, results of the program to date, and the unique institutional roles of each party, including the activities and benefits for the government, Pertamina, the public, the industry, and the crucial agents in the fuel supply chains. Finally there is a retrospective policy analysis and a discussion of key factors and challenges in the execution of Indonesia's largest-ever energy initiative to provide improved cooking fuel.

Should we build more large dams? The actual costs of hydropower megaproject development

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ansar, Atif; Flyvbjerg, Bent; Budzier, Alexander; Lunn, Daniel

2014-01-01

A brisk building boom of hydropower mega-dams is underway from China to Brazil. Whether benefits of new dams will outweigh costs remains unresolved despite contentious debates. We investigate this question with the “outside view” or “reference class forecasting” based on literature on decision-making under uncertainty in psychology. We find overwhelming evidence that budgets are systematically biased below actual costs of large hydropower dams—excluding inflation, substantial debt servicing, environmental, and social costs. Using the largest and most reliable reference data of its kind and multilevel statistical techniques applied to large dams for the first time, we were successful in fitting parsimonious models to predict cost and schedule overruns. The outside view suggests that in most countries large hydropower dams will be too costly in absolute terms and take too long to build to deliver a positive risk-adjusted return unless suitable risk management measures outlined in this paper can be affordably provided. Policymakers, particularly in developing countries, are advised to prefer agile energy alternatives that can be built over shorter time horizons to energy megaprojects. - Highlights: • We investigate ex post outcomes of schedule and cost estimates of hydropower dams. • We use the “outside view” based on Kahneman and Tversky's research in psychology. • Estimates are systematically and severely biased below actual values. • Projects that take longer have greater cost overruns; bigger projects take longer. • Uplift required to de-bias systematic cost underestimation for large dams is +99%

Behind an ambitious megaproject in Asia: The history and implications of the Bakun hydroelectric dam in Borneo

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sovacool, Benjamin K.; Bulan, L.C.

2011-01-01

Using a case-study, inductive, narrative approach, this article explores the history, drivers, benefits, and barriers to the Bakun Hydroelectric Project in East Malaysia. Situated on the island of Borneo, Bakun Dam is a 204 m high concrete face, rock filled dam on the Balui River in the Upper Rajang Basin in the rainforests of Sarawak. Bakun Dam and its affiliated infrastructure could be the single largest and most expensive energy project ever undertaken in Southeast Asia. Based on data collected through site visits, original field research in Sarawak, and more than 80 research interviews, the article begins by teasing out the complex history and drivers behind the Bakun project before identifying a set of potential social, political, and economic benefits the project could deliver. It then delves into six sets of barriers in the technical, economic, political, legal and regulatory, social, and environmental realms. We find that Bakun illustrates how centralized energy megaprojects, while ostensibly championed for reasons of economies of scale and the ability to bring about transformational change in the shortest period of time, often fail to address broader development goals such as fighting energy poverty and improving the livelihoods of the local communities they are supposed to serve. - Highlights: → Bakun Dam is concrete face, rock filled dam on the Balui River in the Upper Rajang Basin in the rainforests of Sarawak. → The project faces technical, economic, political, legal and regulatory, social, and environmental barriers. → We conclude the project will fail to fight energy poverty or improve the livelihoods of local populations.

Behind an ambitious megaproject in Asia: The history and implications of the Bakun hydroelectric dam in Borneo

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sovacool, Benjamin K., E-mail: bsovacool@nus.edu.sg [Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Oei Tiong Ham Building, 469C Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259772 (Singapore); Bulan, L.C. [Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore, Oei Tiong Ham Building, 469C Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259772 (Singapore)

2011-09-15

Using a case-study, inductive, narrative approach, this article explores the history, drivers, benefits, and barriers to the Bakun Hydroelectric Project in East Malaysia. Situated on the island of Borneo, Bakun Dam is a 204 m high concrete face, rock filled dam on the Balui River in the Upper Rajang Basin in the rainforests of Sarawak. Bakun Dam and its affiliated infrastructure could be the single largest and most expensive energy project ever undertaken in Southeast Asia. Based on data collected through site visits, original field research in Sarawak, and more than 80 research interviews, the article begins by teasing out the complex history and drivers behind the Bakun project before identifying a set of potential social, political, and economic benefits the project could deliver. It then delves into six sets of barriers in the technical, economic, political, legal and regulatory, social, and environmental realms. We find that Bakun illustrates how centralized energy megaprojects, while ostensibly championed for reasons of economies of scale and the ability to bring about transformational change in the shortest period of time, often fail to address broader development goals such as fighting energy poverty and improving the livelihoods of the local communities they are supposed to serve. - Highlights: > Bakun Dam is concrete face, rock filled dam on the Balui River in the Upper Rajang Basin in the rainforests of Sarawak. > The project faces technical, economic, political, legal and regulatory, social, and environmental barriers. > We conclude the project will fail to fight energy poverty or improve the livelihoods of local populations.

A look at local economic impacts

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bradfield, M.

1998-01-01

The benefits of mega-projects such as Hibernia and the Sable Offshore Energy Project on the local economies in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia were discussed. It was argued that most of the spin-off activities of such mega-projects are realized externally because the projects are driven by external interests and external funding, and are designed for external markets. Few of the short-term activities that can be done locally provide opportunities for sustained economic growth. Studies have shown that the impact of mega-projects on smaller economies is mainly on the construction sector and related supplies industries. Another reason why mega-projects have limited real effects on the local economy is that foreign investors have traditional supply sources, often with affiliated companies. Local availability of appropriate skills is yet another potential limiting factor. Moreover, most mega-projects have social, environmental and political consequences that are often under-estimated and ignored. In this author's view, most mega-projects have limited long-term domestic spin-offs. The challenge is to maximize the net benefits, and to minimize the social and environmental costs

Chaperoning: Practices of collaboration in the Panama Canal Expansion Program

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Smits, K.C.M.; van Marrewijk, A.H.

2012-01-01

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine how project partners respond to contractually agreed collaboration in an infrastructural megaproject. Problematic performances of megaprojects have shifted away attention from the instrumental towards the interpretative, focusing on daily work life,

The Kra Isthmus Canal: A New Strategic Solution for China's Energy Consumption Scenario?

Science.gov (United States)

Lau, Cheng Yong; Lee, Jason Wai Chow

2016-01-01

This paper is a conceptual study that examines the viability of the construction of the Kra Isthmus within the context of the five dimensions of megaproject success of Sovacool and Cooper (The governance of energy megaprojects: politics, hubris, and energy security, 2013)—social (governance), technological (systems), democratic (politics), externalities (economics, ecology), and risks assessments (accountability), and its possible impact on China's strategic energy supply chain. One of the objectives of this study is also to discuss the current impacts, perceived benefits, and risks of China's dependence on its multinational and transnational pipelines. China could see the construction of Kra Canal as an alternative option for its strategic sourcing activities especially crude oil and gas at much lower costs. The megaproject would become a passageway that connects the Indian Ocean, Andaman Sea, and the Gulf of Siam at the choke point of Isthmus region in Thailand. However, this megaproject could also trigger the internal conflicts of Thailand, and affect the ASEAN countries' political and economic relationships.

The Kra Isthmus Canal: A New Strategic Solution for China's Energy Consumption Scenario?

Science.gov (United States)

Lau, Cheng Yong; Lee, Jason Wai Chow

2016-01-01

This paper is a conceptual study that examines the viability of the construction of the Kra Isthmus within the context of the five dimensions of megaproject success of Sovacool and Cooper (The governance of energy megaprojects: politics, hubris, and energy security, 2013)-social (governance), technological (systems), democratic (politics), externalities (economics, ecology), and risks assessments (accountability), and its possible impact on China's strategic energy supply chain. One of the objectives of this study is also to discuss the current impacts, perceived benefits, and risks of China's dependence on its multinational and transnational pipelines. China could see the construction of Kra Canal as an alternative option for its strategic sourcing activities especially crude oil and gas at much lower costs. The megaproject would become a passageway that connects the Indian Ocean, Andaman Sea, and the Gulf of Siam at the choke point of Isthmus region in Thailand. However, this megaproject could also trigger the internal conflicts of Thailand, and affect the ASEAN countries' political and economic relationships.

Megaprojects and Risk

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Flyvbjerg, Bent; Bruzelius, Niels; Rothengatter, Werner

and revenue failures, but where this is concealed from MPs, taxpayers and investors until it is too late. The authors not only explore the problems but also suggest practical solutions drawing on theory and hard, scientific evidence from the several hundred projects in twenty nations that illustrate the book....

Leading by Metaphors –A Case Study of a Mega IT Project in a Danish Bank

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Svejvig, Per; Fladkjær Nielsen, Anne-Dorte

2014-01-01

of metaphors by executive management to form and shape the megaproject appeared to have significant impact on guidance of individual and collective action, and thereby presumably one of the important factors for the successful implementation. To learn from this case study, we investigate the use of metaphors...... in the megaproject and discuss how leading by metaphors are enacted. Our findings are that (1) storytelling with metaphors can act as backbone for communication, (2) metaphors can set direction for technical capabilities, and finally (3) metaphors can be used to emphasize emotional intelligence....

Urban Sustainability Versus Green-Washing—Fallacy and Reality of Urban Regeneration in Downtown Seoul

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Thorsten Schuetze

2015-12-01

Full Text Available This paper examines the planning paradigm shift related to the contested “urban renaissance” mega-project in Downtown Seoul (Korea. Similar to other global cities, over the last few decades, different mega-projects have been successfully implemented in Seoul. These projects have been considered engines for urban renewals and transformation. This paper builds on the analysis of the failure and re-framing planning strategy for the Green Corridor (GC mega-project, part of the “Urban Renaissance Master Plan for Downtown Seoul”. The GC case reveals various critical insights for urban sustainability: (i the current mega-projects’ sustainability fallacy, related to top-down, technocratic densification, and greening practices; and (ii the untapped potential of Asian traditional and irregular small scale urban patterns, and their related socio-cultural value in addressing the renaissance of the long term urban sustainability. In particular, the discussed research findings point out that urban renaissance enabling sustainability principles requires integrated, small scale, incremental, and adaptive (stepwise urban planning and design processes that go well beyond general strategies following the so-called “green growth” paradigm.

Optimization of hybrid system (wind-solar energy) for pumping water

African Journals Online (AJOL)

DR OKE

Keywords: Renewable energy; pumping water; technical optimization; ... The country already start on a mega-project of solar power production (2000 MW) ...... with a wind turbine in a standalone renewable energy system based on hydrogen.

Transformative Rituals in Construction Megaprojects

NARCIS (Netherlands)

van den Ende, A.L.; van Marrewijk, A.H.

2014-01-01

To manage the project life cycle and facilitate transitions, Project Management (PM) research often points to temporal models and structuring devices. However, the social and symbolic facet of transitions in projects remains understudied. Therefore, this research focuses on the ritualization of

Changing collaborative practices through cultural interventions

NARCIS (Netherlands)

van Marrewijk, A.H.; Veenswijk, M.B.; Clegg, S.R.

2014-01-01

After a parliamentary enquiry into construction industry malpractice, changes occurred in collaborative practices between clients and contractors in megaprojects within the Dutch construction sector. The enquiry meant that both clients and contractors were forced to acknowledge illegal practices of

Citizens, criminalization and violence in natural resource conflicts in Latin America

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Rasch, Elisabet Dueholm

2017-01-01

In Latin America grassroots organizing against megaprojects such as open pit mining, oil extraction, hydro dams and large plantations goes hand in hand with increased criminalization of social protest and violations of the human rights of activists. This results in numerous communities demanding a

Leading by Metaphors –A Case Study of a Mega IT Project in a Danish Bank

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Svejvig, Per; Fladkjær Nielsen, Anne-Dorte

2014-01-01

in the megaproject and discuss how leading by metaphors are enacted. Our findings are that (1) storytelling with metaphors can act as backbone for communication, (2) metaphors can set direction for technical capabilities, and finally (3) metaphors can be used to emphasize emotional intelligence....

Resonance – Journal of Science Education | Indian Academy of ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Home; Journals; Resonance – Journal of Science Education; Volume 21; Issue 3. LIGO-India: An Indian Mega-project for Gravitational-Wave Science. Tarun Souradeep. General Article Volume 21 Issue 3 March 2016 pp 225-231. Fulltext. Click here to view fulltext PDF. Permanent link:

Redevelopment of the Arctic Area of Russia as an Objective of Systems Research and Special-Purpose Program Management Methodological Issues

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Vladimir Nikolayevich Leksin

2015-12-01

Full Text Available The paper substantiates the methodological foundations of implementation of the rules and regulations of the development of the Arctic region of Russia, which relies on the hypothesis interpreting such development as the biggest integrated megaproject in the history of Russia. The substantiation involves both the project-oriented approach to identify the subject-matter of the research and the systems approach to assess the key opportunities of providing the integrative structure of the megaproject in the conditions of drastic differences between the areal components of the Arctic region, and to study the internal and external factors’ impact on the character, drivers and pace of the region redevelopment. The set of consistent methodological positions concerning their policy implementation by responsible governmental agencies in the foreseeable future of the Arctic is developed. The most important position involves the identification of the objective of the public administration of the Arctic region development as a systemically organized entity of multiple coordinated actions of the federal, regional and municipal authorities, corporations and civil society institutions integrated by the unique policy target and economic, social and infrastructure links. Implementation of the public administration requires the principles of systems approach, the reasonable trade-off between centralization, decentralization and continuity of governance focused exclusively on the Arctic issues. At the same time, the integration of the projects of the region’s areal components development to insure the common targets of the Arctic’s megaproject accompanied by the reconsideration of the earlier developed programs turns into a genuinely new methodological issue. In the article, recommendations to provide such integration are introduced.

U.S. Involvement in the LHC

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Green, Dan

2016-12-30

The demise of the SSC in the U.S. created an upheaval in the U.S. High energy physics (HEP) community. The subsequent redirection of HEP efforts to the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) can perhaps be seen as informing on possible future paths for worldwide collaboration on future HEP megaprojects

Beyond the Gulf Metropolises

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Wippel, Steffen

2013-01-01

The extended studies on urbanisation in the Gulf region that came up in the early 2000s concentrated on the main centres with their worldwide-admired mega-projects and branding strategies. Only rather recently did a more general interest arise in the second-tier range of Gulf cities, which also s...

Resonance – Journal of Science Education | Indian Academy of ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Articles written in Resonance – Journal of Science Education. Volume 12 Issue 5 May 2007 pp 85-87 Book Review. The Dawn of the Universe · Tarun Souradeep · More Details Fulltext PDF. Volume 21 Issue 3 March 2016 pp 225-231 General Article. LIGO-India: An Indian Mega-project for Gravitational-Wave Science.

Vertical landscraping, a big regionalism for Dubai.

Science.gov (United States)

Wilson, Matthew

2010-01-01

Dubai's ecologic and economic complications are exacerbated by six years of accelerated expansion, a fixed top-down approach to urbanism and the construction of iconic single-phase mega-projects. With recent construction delays, project cancellations and growing landscape issues, Dubai's tower typologies have been unresponsive to changing environmental, socio-cultural and economic patterns (BBC, 2009; Gillet, 2009; Lewis, 2009). In this essay, a theory of "Big Regionalism" guides an argument for an economically and ecologically linked tower typology called the Condenser. This phased "box-to-tower" typology is part of a greater Landscape Urbanist strategy called Vertical Landscraping. Within this strategy, the Condenser's role is to densify the city, facilitating the creation of ecologic voids that order the urban region. Delineating "Big Regional" principles, the Condenser provides a time-based, global-local urban growth approach that weaves Bigness into a series of urban-regional, economic and ecological relationships, builds upon the environmental performance of the city's regional architecture and planning, promotes a continuity of Dubai's urban history, and responds to its landscape issues while condensing development. These speculations permit consideration of the overlooked opportunities embedded within Dubai's mega-projects and their long-term impact on the urban morphology.

A Two-Ocean Bouillabaisse: Science, Politics, and the Central American Sea-Level Canal Controversy.

Science.gov (United States)

Keiner, Christine

2017-11-01

As the Panama Canal approached its fiftieth anniversary in the mid-1960s, U.S. officials concerned about the costs of modernization welcomed the technology of peaceful nuclear excavation to create a new waterway at sea level. Biologists seeking a share of the funds slated for radiological-safety studies called attention to another potential effect which they deemed of far greater ecological and evolutionary magnitude - marine species exchange, an obscure environmental issue that required the expertise of underresourced life scientists. An enterprising endeavor to support Smithsonian naturalists, especially marine biologists at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, wound up sparking heated debates - between biologists and engineers about the oceans' biological integrity and among scientists about whether the megaproject represented a research opportunity or environmental threat. A National Academy of Sciences panel chaired by Ernst Mayr failed to attract congressional funding for its 10-year baseline research program, but did create a stir in the scientific and mainstream press about the ecological threats that the sea-level canal might unleash upon the Atlantic and Pacific. This paper examines how the proposed megaproject sparked a scientific and political conversation about the risks of mixing the oceans at a time when many members of the scientific and engineering communities still viewed the seas as impervious to human-facilitated change.

Conflictos ecoterritoriales transfronterizos y megaproyectos extractivistas en cuencas compartidas de la Patagonia; Conflitos ecoterritoriais transfronteiriços e megaprojetos extrativistas nas bacias da Patagônia; Cross-border Eco-territorial Conflicts and Extractivist Megaprojects in the Patagonia River Basins

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bárbara Jerez Henríquez

2015-01-01

become a transnational space in which mining megaprojects and hydroelectric dams have been set in the last 15 years. These projects represent important impacts on ecosystems, economies and local cultures as part of a trend in Latin America to the advancement of extractivist territorialities towards border areas which also means transgressing previous legal frameworks for the management of shared river basins. Given this context, strong resistance processes emerge from various narratives which together claim other territorialities in these river basins covering local and cross-border scales raising new debates and challenges to discuss eco-territorial conflicts in border areas.     Key words: extractivism, river basins, borders, territorialities, Patagonia.

Cities within Cities: An Urbanization Approach in the Gulf Countries

OpenAIRE

Bamakhrama, Salim Salah

2015-01-01

Within Dubai, nineteen out of the original 112 mega-projects carried the word city in their names, a phenomenon that is common in Gulf cities such as Dubai, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. To further explore this phenomenon, this thesis focuses on three aspects that affect the dynamic relationship between the primary city and the cities within cities (sub-cities) in the Gulf region with special emphasis on Dubai. First, the naming problem of the sub-city illustrates why the tension between competing id...

Long-term impacts of mega-projects: the discount rate

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Koopmans, C.; Rietveld, P.; Priemus, H.; van Wee, B.

2013-01-01

In social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA), discount rates are used to convert costs and benefits that occur at different points in time, to present values that can be added and subtracted. Especially if important costs and benefits occur in the long term (more than say 30 years), the discount rate may

Local perceptions on social-ecological dynamics in Latin America in three community-based natural resource management systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Delgado-Serrano, Maria del Mar; Rozas, Elisa Oteros; Vanwildemeersch, Pieter

2015-01-01

by internal variables, particularly those linked to the governance system. The case study analysis revealed that the community-based natural resource management approach needs external support and recognition to work effectively. In the Argentine and Colombian cases, megaprojects were perceived as controllers...... prospective structural analysis to unravel stakeholders’ perceptions of each system’s functioning along with network analysis to assess resilience. We identified external variables as the most influential variables in the Colombian and Argentine cases. In the Mexican case, larger influence is exerted...

Enhancing engagement in multimodality environments by sound movement in a virtual space

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Götzen, Amalia De

2004-01-01

of instrumental sounds - has allowed space as a musical instrumental practice to flourish. Electro-acoustic technologies let composers explore new listening dimensions and consider the sounds coming from loudspeakers as possessing different logical meanings from the sounds produced by traditional instruments....... Medea, Adriano Guarnieri's "video opera", is an innovative work stemming from research in multimedia that demonstrates the importance and amount of research dedicated to sound movement in space. Medea is part of the Multi-sensory Expressive Gesture Application project (http://www.megaproject.org). Among...

The political economy of Canadian hydro-electricity : between old provincial hydros and neoliberal regional energy regimes

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Netherton, A.

2007-01-01

In economic terms, hydro-electricity is considered as a quasi-staple, as it prone to the classic staples problem of excess capacity. However, neither water nor hydroelectricity in Canada is produced primarily for export markets. Hydroelectric systems are often thought of as politicized monopolies. This paper discussed changes that have occurred in hydroelectric organizations over time, as they have been governed by a formative mixed regime; postwar provincial hydro systems; a megaprojects regime; and an emerging sustainability regionalization regime. The origins of electricity generation and transmission in Canada were discussed, as well as the ecological footprint of large mega-projects on rivers. The development of provincial hydro monopolies during the mid- to late- twentieth century was also outlined, as well as the sustainability and regionalization regime that developed after 1990. During the mature staples period of the mid-century, rents in hydro-electric organizations were distributed through cheap rates to subsidize and facilitate the development of mass production and mass consumption. However, post-staples consumption has now replaced mass consumption, and demand side management is replacing earlier cheap power policies. Nonetheless, the lack of systematic integration of networks has led to inefficiencies. Provincial grids are now being integrated into interconnected North American regional networks regulated by the United States. It was concluded that the Canadian electricity regime is increasingly influenced by the the supranational role that the United States is playing in structuring markets. 83 refs

Elite capture and the development of natural resource linkages in Mozambique

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Buur, Lars; Monjane, Celso Marcos

2017-01-01

for a more fair distribution of opportunities for local firms to gain from large-scale natural resource investments and for learning and spillover effects to other parts of the economy. In a longer term perspective, it is a potential key source of economic transformation towards higher value added activities......This chapter explores these broader processes from the perspective of linkage creation in Mozambique related to mega-projects in natural resource extraction and development from a political economy perspective. From a resource fairness perspective, linkage creation is essential as it allows...

Megaproject Eemscentrale. Part 3. Maximal environmental care at the new power plant `Eemscentrale`, Netherlands; Megaproject Eemscentrale. Deel 3. Bij nieuwe Eemscentrale maximale zorg voor het milieu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Crone, K. [Crone Communicatie, Diemen (Netherlands)

1996-01-01

In a series of 8 articles attention is paid to several aspects of the Netherlands largest Energy Construction project, the gas-fired power plant `Eemscentrale`. In this article the environmental protection measures taken are briefly discussed. 3 ills.

Megaproyectos de transporte: Instituciones, política y gestión técnica de recursos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Néstor Roa

2010-12-01

Full Text Available Este documento presenta una serie prácticas y experiencias en grandes proyectos de infraestructura que el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo BID ha presenciado en la región. Con este propósito, se contextualiza qué es un megaproyecto, la importancia de la comunidad donde éste se construye y la relación que se genera entre ellos. Así mismo, se ahonda en las experiencias regionales, en la capacidad requerida para la ejecución de los grandes proyectos y las necesidades que genera. Por, último, se hace referencia a los elementos de preparación de un proyecto, los tipos de cambios naturales que surgen en el momento de su ejecución y cómo estos últimos se pueden prever. Se termina enfatizando en algunos proyectos en el área regional cuyas experiencias valiosas valen la pena ser tenidas en cuenta./ This paper studies a series of practices and experiences taken from massive regional infrastructure projects sponsored by the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank. In an effort to contextualize the idea of a megaproject, it describes what one is, demonstrates its importance to the community where one is built, and investigates the relationship between the community and the megaproject itself. In addition, the paper takes a deep look at regional experiences, the training required to execute large projects, and other associated needs. Furthermore, insight is given on key elements of project preparation, types of organic changes that take place in project execution, and how these changes can be anticipated. Lastly, a few brief case studies of regional experiences are given to emphasize various lessons learned.

Birth of a megaproject: Political economy of flood control in bangladesh

Science.gov (United States)

Boyce, James K.

1990-07-01

A major flood control initiative has been launched in Bangladesh under the coordination of the World Bank. The bank's five-year Action Plan is intended to initiate a long-term investment program, the specifics of which remain to be determined. Long-term proposals under consideration include the construction of massive embankments along the great rivers of the Bangladesh delta. The wisdom of such a “structural solution” to Bangladesh's flood problems can be questioned on economic, environmental, and technical grounds. Regrettably, the decision-making process has not encouraged wide debate on these questions.

Offshore newcomer : world-scale megaproject spawns international-calibre skills and facilities

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sorensen, D.

1997-01-01

The development of Hibernia marked the beginning of Newfoundland's booming oil industry. The offshore platform located 300 km offshore in the Grand Banks of Newfoundland has an estimated 615 million barrels of recoverable reserves to be produced at a projected average rate of 135,000 barrels per day. Newfoundland personnel and facilities acquired much expertise during the building of the offshore facility and are ready to enter the world market for oil and gas services and supplies. Newfoundland's biggest operations are the fabrication yards at Bull Arm and Marystown which have the capacity for steel fabrication, concrete construction, outfitting installation, hook-up and commissioning of industrial facilities. Plans are currently underway for the Terra Nova project. Newfoundland also has a strong labor force, with international calibre skills. The capacity is here, and as confidence in that capability increases, Newfoundland firms are beginning to form partnerships with international firms. 6 figs

Understanding cultural practices of governing in the Panama Canal Expansion Megaproject

NARCIS (Netherlands)

van Marrewijk, A.H.; Smits, K.C.M.

2016-01-01

The academic debate on governance in project management is dominated by research that looks at the structure of governance regimes, but there is very little research on the micro-practices of governance as it actually takes place. This paper fills this gap by focusing on the governance practices of

Portugal's Petrogal eyes expansion amid continuing privatization

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1995-01-01

Portugal's recently privatized state oil company Petrogal is about to embark on a major expansion worldwide. That comes against the backdrop of major change in Portugal's energy sector and the rocky road to Petrogal's partial privatization. Despite the controversy, there remain opportunities for foreign companies investing in Portugal's energy sector. The most attractive opportunities are in Portugal's downstream petroleum sector and in the country's continuing campaign to develop its natural gas industry. Typical of the latter is Portugal's participation in the Trans-Maghreb gas pipeline megaproject. The paper discusses the background to privatization, its current status, Petrogal strategy, modernization of refineries, a joint partnership with Venezuela, constraints, energy policy program, gas pipeline privatization, and concerns of the gas industry

Managing the cigeo design: a challenge and an opportunity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Muscetti, R.

2015-01-01

INGEROP is working since years on the French Deep Geological Repository's design for Andra, carrying out since 2012 the preliminary design, the global project management and the technical integration for the engineering of the Cigeo project (in a 50-50 consortium with the French company TECHNIP). The article presents some particular organizational aspects that turned out to be more challenging than foreseen in the course of our activities. Starting from the presentation of real examples, some lessons learned are derived as well as practices of interest in solving analogue issues in similar projects, with focus on its application to the management of engineering phase of geological repositories and other 'megaprojects' in different countries. (author)

Elements for a Geopolitics of Infrastructure Megaprojects in Latin America and Colombia

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fabio Vladimir Sánchez Calderón

2008-01-01

Full Text Available This paper develops a critical approach to projects and initiatives of supranational physical connection through infrastructure improvement for transport and energy, regarding specifically their socio-spatial implications at the national and local levels. With this purpose, we examined how infrastructure projects in Colombia are linked to two sub-continental initiatives that seek to build a physical platform for the region: the Plan Puebla Panama (PPP for Central America (including Colombia, and the Initiative for Regional Integration of South America (IIRSA.

Accelerator boom hones China's engineering expertise

Science.gov (United States)

Normile, Dennis

2018-02-01

In raising the curtain on the China Spallation Neutron Source, China has joined just four other nations in having mastered the technology of accelerating and controlling beams of protons. The $277 million facility, set to open to users this spring in Dongguan, is expected to yield big dividends in materials science, chemistry, and biology. More world class machines are on the way, as China this year starts construction on four other major accelerator facilities. The building boom is prompting a scramble to find enough engineers and technicians to finish the projects. But if they all come off as planned, the facilities would position China to tackle the next global megaproject: a giant accelerator that would pick up where Europe's Large Hadron Collider leaves off.

Offshore Wind Energy in Denmark

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Möller, Bernd; Hong, Lixuan; Hvelplund, Frede

for Denmark and invites to reconsider the technological and institutional choices made. Based on a continuous resource-economic model operating in a geographical information systems (GIS) environment, which describes resources, costs and area constraints in a spatially explicit way, the relation between......Offshore wind energy has developed in terms of turbine and project size, and currently undergoes a significant up-scaling to turbines and parks at greater distance to shore and deeper waters. Expectations to the positive effect of economies of scale on power production costs, however, have...... availability of locations, driven by accelerating requirements of environmental concern, park size and public acceptance, is one important driver. Mounting risk of mega-projects and the infinite demand for renewable energy is another likely cause. The present paper addresses the scale of offshore wind parks...

The inauguration of Robert-Bourassa Park at James Bay

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Valiquette, M.

1997-01-01

Robert Bourassa's contributions to the hydroelectric development at James Bay were acknowledged with the inauguration of a park in the ex-prime minister's name. Phase 1 of the James Bay hydroelectric project constituted the world's biggest construction site, employing more than 180,000 people from beginning to project completion. The James Bay project allowed Hydro-Quebec to gain one of the world's largest electric power utilities and to gain significant competitive edge over its competitors. The Robert Bourassa Park contains a picnic area and a visitor interpretation centre which describes the history of the project. A sequence of 5 signposts summarize the contributions that Robert Bourassa made to the megaproject which cost over $20.6 billion. The complex consists of 65 turbines which produce 15,235 megawatts of electricity. 1 fig

A Framework for Project Governance in Major Public IT projects

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Harboe, Peter Georg; Riis, Eva

2016-01-01

such a framework. It was developed from the literature on major and mega-projects, both public and private, that concern infrastructure, engineering and IT. The proposed framework for project governance comprises six major elements: governance structure, management approach, stakeholders, value, systems......The rising number of major public IT projects is mirrored by a growing research interest in the management of such projects. Both can benefit from a more complete understanding of project governance that should lead to a practical framework for project governance. The present paper proposes...... integration and complexity. Empirical research has identified a number of characteristics for these project governance elements. In the second part of the paper the framework was tested in a case study of the Danish smart card Rejsekort project. The framework was found to be robust, and that in this case...

The Performativity of Risk Management Frameworks and Technologies

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Neerup Themsen, Tim; Skærbæk, Peter

2018-01-01

This article examines the long-term dynamics among a best-practice risk management framework, risk management technologies and the translation of uncertainties into risks by using a longitudinal case study of a large mega-project. We show that the framework and technologies through the visual power...... of impure risks challenges the predictions of the framework causing a false sense of security for the project objectives, and that the continuous readjustment of technologies, in particular, is necessary to ensure the long-term realisation of these predictions. Finally, this article contributes...... of inscriptions and the purifying work of risk consultants as experts establish the boundaries of the forms of uncertainties that are accepted and included as risks. We term the accepted and included risks ‘pure risks’ and the risks excluded after disagreement ‘impure risks’. We also show that the construction...

Uncovering the Transnational Networks, Organisational Techniques and State-Corporate Ties Behind Grand Corruption: Building an Investigative Methodology

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kristian Lasslett

2017-11-01

Full Text Available While grand corruption is a major global governance challenge, researchers notably lack a systematic methodology for conducting qualitative research into its complex forms. To address this lacuna, the following article sets out and applies the corruption investigative framework (CIF, a methodology designed to generate a systematic, transferable approach for grand corruption research. Its utility will be demonstrated employing a case study that centres on an Australian-led megaproject being built in Papua New Guinea’s capital city, Port Moresby. Unlike conventional analyses of corruption in Papua New Guinea, which emphasise its local characteristics and patrimonial qualities, application of CIF uncovered new empirical layers that centre on transnational state-corporate power, the ambiguity of civil society, and the structural inequalities that marginalise resistance movements. The important theoretical consequences of the findings and underpinning methodology are explored.

A Framework for Project Governance in Major Public IT projects

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Riis, Eva; Harboe, Peter Georg

2016-01-01

integration and complexity. Empirical research has identified a number of characteristics for these project governance elements. In the second part of the paper the framework was tested in a case study of the Danish smart card Rejsekort project. The framework was found to be robust, and that in this case......The rising number of major public IT projects is mirrored by a growing research interest in the management of such projects. Both can benefit from a more complete understanding of project governance that should lead to a practical framework for project governance. The present paper proposes...... such a framework. It was developed from the literature on major and mega-projects, both public and private, that concern infrastructure, engineering and IT. The proposed framework for project governance comprises six major elements: governance structure, management approach, stakeholders, value, systems...

Knotting the Net

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Revellino, Silvana; Mouritsen, Jan

2017-01-01

with its focus on abstract structural interests, towards articulated concerns about the objects that matter to people. Through analysis of the Italian system for stakeholder management—the so-called Conferenza di Servizi, which was organised according to stakeholder theory with an emphasis...... on representation of interested parties—this paper identifies the limitations of representation to predict the fate of a megaproject. Settlements based on interests are not able to capture all relevant actors and all relevant types of knowledge. In contrast to stakeholder theory, Dingpolitics explains project...... may overlook another lateral version of politics by which power is plural and ubiquitous, and which, through Latour's notion of Dingpolitics, combines the questions ‘who has to be taken into account’ and ‘what has to be taken into account’. This brings the analysis further than stakeholder theory...

Mega-Project Construction Management: The Corps of Engineers and Bechtel Group in Saudi Arabia

Science.gov (United States)

1991-02-01

waste-to-energy project in Massachusetts, an international airport for greater Hong Kong, decontamination of Three Mile Island Unit 2 reactor , the...available and when; even if committed may come in an uncertain trickle . 3. Desired Completion Date - Also interim dates; schedules tight or ample. 4. Time...Dental. Free routine dental work and 100 bed hospital at KKMC. - Schools. Kindergarden through 9th grade American school at KKMC. Free tuition for high

Newest oil sands mine on the horizon : Fort McMurray's next megaproject

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Werniuk, J.

2005-08-01

The newly approved Horizon mine project and on-site upgrader project will be one of Canada's largest oil sands operation. The site for the facility is 70 km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. Drilling has revealed an in-place resource of 16 billion bbl of bitumen, of which 6 billion bbl is potentially recoverable using existing mining technologies. In situ recovery potential on the western parts of the lease will be used to obtain additional resources. Horizon is owned by Calgary-based Canadian Natural Resource Limited, the second largest oil and gas company in Canada. This senior oil and gas company has operations in western Canada, the United Kingdom, the North Sea and offshore West Africa. The 3-phase Horizon project will have a capital of $10.8 billion, including contingencies. The mine will be a truck and shovel operation, mining 450,000 tonnes of oil sand daily from 2 main pits. The clean, diluted bitumen from the froth treatment plant will be sent to an onsite upgrader that will use delayed coking technology to recover 99 per cent of the sulphur using a tail gas cleanup unit. All of the product will be hydrotreated. In the first phase, the mine will produce sweet synthetic crude oil by the second half of 2008 at a daily rate of 110,000 bbl. This will increase in the second phase to 155,000 bbl per day SCO by 2010 and to 232,000 bbl per day SCO by 2012. The tailings during the first phase will be sent to a conventional tailings pond. A non-segregating tailings disposal method will be considered for the second phase to reduce the size of the required tailings pond and to leave less of an environmental footprint. A 1.83 million cubic metre raw water pond is being built into the project to recycle as much of the water as possible. The Horizon leases include traditional lands of several First Nation bands. Canadian Natural is involving Aboriginal communities in the project through employment and consultation for traditional environmental knowledge. During peak construction, Horizon will employ up to 6,000 people and eventually have about 2,400 operations people. It was noted that the economic benefits of this project will be substantial. 3 figs.

Integrating a Procurement Management Process into Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM: A Case-Study on Oil and Gas Projects, the Piping Process

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sung-Hwan Jo

2018-05-01

Full Text Available Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC of oil and gas megaprojects often experience cost overruns due to substantial schedule delays. One of the greatest causes of these overruns is the mismanagement of the project schedule, with the piping works (prefabrication and installation occupying a majority of that schedule. As such, an effective methodology for scheduling, planning, and controlling of piping activities is essential for project success. To meet this need, this study used the Critical Chain Project Management (CCPM to develop a piping construction delay prevention methodology, incorporating material procurement processes for EPC megaprojects. Recent studies indicate that the traditional scheduling method used on oil and gas mega projects has critical limitations regarding resource scarcity, calculation of activity duration, and dealing with uncertainties. To overcome these limitations, the Theory of Constraints-based CCPM was proposed and implemented to provide schedule buffers management. Nonexistent in literature, and of critical importance, is this paper’s focus on the resource buffer, representing material uncertainty and management. Furthermore, this paper presents a step-by-step process and flow chart for project, construction, and material managers to effectively manage a resource buffer through the CCPM process. This study extends the knowledge of traditional resource buffers in CCPM to improve material and procurement management, thus avoiding the shortage of piping materials and minimizing delays. The resultant process was validated by both deterministic and probabilistic schedule analysis through two case studies of a crude pump unit and propylene compressor installation at a Middle Eastern Refinery Plant Installation. The results show that the CCPM method effectively handles uncertainty, reducing the duration of piping works construction by about a 35% when compared to the traditional method. Furthermore, the

Atmospheric and biospheric effects of cosmic

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cardenas, Rolando

2007-01-01

We briefly review and classify the action that different sources of cosmic radiations might have had on Earth climate and biosphere in the geological past and at present times. We present the action of both sparse explosive phenomena, like gamma-ray bursts and supernovae, and permanent ones like cosmic rays and ultraviolet radiation backgrounds. Very energetic cosmic radiation coming from explosions can deplete the ozone lawyer due to initial ionization reactions, while soft backgrounds might trigger low altitude cloud formation through certain microphysical amplification processes. We examine a hypothesis concerning the potential role of cosmic rays on present Global Climatic Change. We also present the potential of UV astronomy to probe some of above scenarios, and speak on the possibilities for the Cuban participation in the international mega-project World Space Observatory, a UV telescope to be launched in the period 2007-2009. (Author)

Examining the relationship between leadership and mega science projects

CERN Document Server

Eggleton, David Christopher; Tang, Puay

A development over the past 70 to 80 years within scientific research has been the need for very large pieces of apparatus to enable the exploration of new scientific topics, particularly within particle physics and space science. These ‘megascience projects’ are generally undertaken as cooperative ventures by countries seeking to pursue scientific experimental opportunities in these fields. Such projects, a subcategory of large/megaprojects that have a minimum budget of one billion US dollars, are characterised by high levels of technological uncertainty, given that their success depends on the development of new, highly-advanced technologies . However, there is a notable lack of research into the leadership of megascience projects - an important consideration when embarking on a substantial project. The leadership literature traditionally categorises leaders into five discrete leadership styles, but there is a gap when it comes to understanding the characteristics and development of leaders of megascien...

Suburban sprawl in the developing world: duplicating past mistakes? The case of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Science.gov (United States)

Loh, Lawrence C; Brieger, William B

Newly affluent developing world cities increasingly adopt the same unfortunate low-density suburban paradigm that shaped cities in the industrialized world. Identified by a World Bank report as a "mini-Los Angeles," Kuala Lumpur is a sentinel example of the results of unrestrained sprawl in the developing world. Factors driving sprawl included government policies favoring foreign investment, "mega-projects," and domestic automobile production; fragmented governance structures allowing federal and state government influence on local planning; increasing middle-class affluence; an oligopoly of local developers; and haphazard municipal zoning and transport planning. The city's present form contributes to Malaysia's dual burden of disease, with inner-city shantytown dwellers facing communicable disease and malnutrition while suburban citizens experience increasing chronic disease, injury, and mental health issues. Despite growing awareness in city plans targeted toward higher density development, Kuala Lumpur presents a warning to other emerging economies of the financial, societal, and population health costs imposed by quickly-built suburban sprawl.

RECENT TRENDS IN CONSTRUCTION AND RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Cheremisina T. P.

2017-09-01

Full Text Available The composition of the residential real estate and the structure of Russian housing market do not match: primary and secondary markets are supplemented by a considerable in size non-market sector of residential real estate - the stock of dilapidated housing and buildings in a state of emergency that is filling up the secondary market with rapidly growing volume of worn out properties. While the developmental model of entrepreneurship is gradually settling in the primary housing market, and in general the “soviet” model of management (management companies are not that different from the soviet property management agencies is remaining in the secondary market, the non-market sector requires a formulation of an adequate management model that would allow the private and public management of residential real estate at the same time. Mega-project of renovation of the 5-storey buildings in Moscow will support the formation of such a model and the legal grounds for its existence.

The James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment annual report, 1990-1991

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1992-01-01

The James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment (JBACE) was established under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement as the preferred, official form for the Quebec and Canadian governments as well as for aboriginal groups and territorial municipalities when they wish to formulate laws and regulations relating to the environment and social milieu of the territory falling under the Agreement. JBACE activities for 1990-91 included action regarding an environmental impact study of the Great Whale hydroelectric development project, a response to provincial hearings on electricity in Quebec, and a study of forest management plans for the James Bay region. In response to a Quebec environmental ministry notice that planned roads and airports for the Great Whale project should have a separate environmental assessment, the JBACE recommended that there should be only one assessment for all aspects of the Great Whale project. The committee also presented a brief regarding its views on hydroelectric megaprojects in Quebec, the need to examine their environmental impacts as a whole, and the need to standardize environmental assessment procedures. 1 fig., 1 tab

Evolution of Project Management in Integration Development Trends of Today’s Russia

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lukmanova Inessa

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Today’s development trends are affected by many external and internal factors, stepping up globalization processes, faster innovation cycles, negative effects of various bans, import and export sanctions slapped on some categories of goods, technologies, capital, etc. Tit-for-tat responses of the economic systems seek sustainable development of countries taking part in the integration processes. A radical-yet-constructive strategy that deepens integration can tackle the problem. Its focus is determined by the need to upgrade the economies of the former Soviet Union; while a mutual interest in the rollout of the synergistic integration potential channels common efforts on transcontinental megaprojects. A new type of integration projects creates comprehensive methods of project management. They feature the need for information transparency and controlled alignment of innovation, investment, construction and resource capacities of member countries. With streamlined resource flows, the Eurasian transit will help facilitate and cut costs of commodity exchange among countries, provided they take synchronized efforts in not just technical and technological, but also organizational, economic, legal and IT innovations.

Corruption Significantly Increases the Capital Cost of Power Plants in Developing Contexts

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Kumar Biswajit Debnath

2018-03-01

Full Text Available Emerging economies with rapidly growing population and energy demand, own some of the most expensive power plants in the world. We hypothesized that corruption has a relationship with the capital cost of power plants in developing countries such as Bangladesh. For this study, we analyzed the capital cost of 61 operational and planned power plants in Bangladesh. Initial comparison study revealed that the mean capital cost of a power plant in Bangladesh is twice than that of the global average. Then, the statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between corruption and the cost of power plants, indicating that higher corruption leads to greater capital cost. The high up-front cost can be a significant burden on the economy, at present and in the future, as most are financed through international loans with extended repayment terms. There is, therefore, an urgent need for the review of the procurement and due diligence process of establishing power plants, and for the implementation of a more transparent system to mitigate adverse effects of corruption on megaprojects.

The effect of economic growth, oil prices, and the benefits of reactor standardization: Duration of nuclear power plant construction revisited

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Csereklyei, Zsuzsanna; Thurner, Paul W.; Bauer, Alexander; Küchenhoff, Helmut

2016-01-01

The profitability of nuclear power plant investment is largely determined by the construction duration, which directly impacts discounted cash flows, debt and interest payments, as well as variable costs, such as labor. This paper analyzes the key drivers of construction duration using survival models. We focus especially on the strategic expectation formation of private and public utilities engaging in such highly risky megaprojects. Using a balanced dataset of explanatory variables and the IAEA/PRIS dataset of reactor construction starts between 1950 and 2013 we find that the expectation of rising oil prices and higher economic growth, along with the higher per capita GDP of a country tend to reduce the time needed to grid connection. We also identify the reactor models with the fastest construction duration. - Highlights: • We find that higher future economic growth speeds up nuclear reactor construction. • Higher national capacity (measured by income per capita) results in faster projects. • Higher oil prices during construction lead to faster construction times. • Reactor standardization may result in faster building times.

The historical formation of the landscape in the Corridor Acapulco-Zihuatanejo

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

María Inés Mombelli Pierini

2010-09-01

Full Text Available Corridor Acapulco-Zihuatanejo is the name under the coastal plain is known, between these cities in the state of Guerrero, a strip of land located on the northwestern coast of the state which is very interesting for private investment in tourist mega-projects. This article describes the historical vicissitudes that have occurred in land use with development cycles and crises in production practices, and the consequent cultural change by successive jumps in the landscape of this territory. Using a model case study and the retrospective geography fundamentals it is possible an investigation to understand the conditions which provide a continuity of production practice or the determinant that raise a decisive break in the same practice. For this work, the landscape is a historical-cultural construction, the crop is the unity of the geographical environment which participates in the formation of the landscape within the successive production cycles, and the retrospective is a solution to questions about the future because the observation of the past suggests the question about the future, invite to leave the retrospective by the uncertainty of prospective.

Assessment of waterlogging in agricultural megaprojects in the closed drainage basins of the Western Desert of Egypt

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M. El Bastawesy

2013-04-01

Full Text Available This paper investigates the development of waterlogging in the cultivated and arable areas within typical dryland closed drainage basins (e.g. the Farafra and Baharia Oases, which are located in the Western Desert of Egypt. Multi-temporal remote sensing data of the Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM and Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+ were collected and processed to detect the land cover changes; cultivations, and the extent of water ponds and seepage channels. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM digital elevation model (DEM has been processed to delineate the catchment morphometrical parameters (i.e. drainage networks, catchment divides and surface areas of different basins and to examine the spatial distribution of cultivated fields and their relation to the extracted drainage networks. The soil of these closed drainage basins is mainly shallow and lithic with high calcium carbonate content; therefore, the downward percolation of excess irrigation water is limited by the development of subsurface hardpan, which also saturates the upper layer of soil with water. The subsurface seepage from the newly cultivated areas in the Farafra Oasis has revealed the pattern of buried alluvial channels, which are waterlogged and outlined by the growth of diagnostic saline shrubs. Furthermore, the courses of these waterlogged channels are coinciding with their counterparts of the SRTM DEM, and the recent satellite images show that the surface playas in the downstream of these channels are partially occupied by water ponds. On the other hand, a large water pond has occupied the main playa and submerged the surrounding fields, as a large area has been cultivated within a relatively small closed drainage basin in the Baharia Oasis. The geomorphology of closed drainage basins has to be considered when planning for a new cultivation in dryland catchments to better control waterlogging hazards. The "dry-drainage" concept can be implemented as the drainage and seepage water can be conveyed through the inactive alluvial channels into certain abandoned playas for evaporation.

The negative effects of development megaprojects: Comparative study of four cases of population relocation related to dam projects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

D'Almeida, K.

1993-11-01

As with any other hydroelectric installation project around the world, the construction of large dams in Africa such as the Kariba in Zambia, the Aswan High Dam in Egypt, the Akossombo in Ghana, and the Kossou in Ivory Coast have caused massive displacements of populations. Parallel to the attendant positive effects, negative effects have been observed following the relocation of those populations. These negative effects are social, cultural, political, economic, sanitary, demographic, psychological, and ecological. A comparative study is conducted of the four cases of dam construction cited above in order to demonstrate that errors committed by planners were at the source of those negative effects of population displacement. The knowledge of those errors committed in the past should serve as lessons for future instances of population relocation. Such lessons are outlined in the areas of relocation planning, principles of indemnization, re-housing of populations on new sites, and adaptation of the populations to new agricultural techniques. 116 refs., 14 figs., 5 tabs

The Lisbon new international airport: The story of a decision-making process and the role of Strategic Environmental Assessment

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Partidario, Maria R.; Coutinho, Miguel

2011-01-01

This is the brief story of a decision process and the role of Strategic Environmental Assessment in government political decision-making. Following a prolonged, and agitated, decision process, initiated in the 1960s, the Government of Portugal in 2005 took the final decision to build the new international airport of Lisbon at the controversial location of Ota, 40 km north of Lisbon. The detailed project design and EIA were started. However this decision would change in 2007 due to the challenge raised by a private sponsored study that identified an alternative location for the airport at Campo de Tiro de Alcochete (CTA). This new site, which had never been considered as an option before, appeared to avoid many of the problems that caused public controversy at the Ota site. The Government, pressured by this challenge, promoted a strategic comparative assessment between the two sites. The result of this study was the choice of CTA as the preferred location. This paper discusses this radical change in the decision from a socio-political perspective. It will highlight the relevance of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), and the strategic and constructive approach it enables in mega-project decision-making.

Aboriginal review 1997

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1997-01-01

The relationship between Syncrude Canada Ltd., and the aboriginal people of Northeast Alberta was discussed. In 1970, Syncrude began development of its oil sands mega-project in the Fort McMurray region. Since then, the company has worked in partnership with the aboriginal communities to maximize their productive participation in the oil sands. Syncrude has provided opportunities in employment, education, and business and community development. Their goals for aboriginal employment are: (1) to attain 10 per cent aboriginal employees in the Company's direct workforce, and (2) to attain 13 per cent aboriginal employees in the overall workforce, including contractors. Currently, Syncrude Canada employs 315 aboriginal people in various career positions. The Company is also committed to the protection of the environment. As proof of this commitment, when a mine site is reclaimed, the Company does all that is required to ensure that the land can support both industry and traditional land uses such as hunting, fishing and trapping. Syncrude also works on air quality issues dealing with odors and sulfur dioxide emissions as shown by a two million dollar company-sponsored program to examine local air quality and its effect on people and their health. figs

The golden age of Drosophila research at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP): A testimonial on the decades 1940-1950.

Science.gov (United States)

de Magalhães, Luiz Edmundo; Vilela, Carlos Ribeiro

2014-03-01

This article is a testimonial written by the first author regarding the research work performed with Drosophila between 1943 and 1959, at the Departamento de Biologia Geral of the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), which permitted the building of a nucleus of excellence. This research work, focused on the systematics and population genetics of the Neotropical species, began during the first of Dobzhansky's six visits to USP. Special attention was given to the multinational megaprojects conducted during his longer stays, from August 1948 to July 1949 and from June 1955 to July 1956. The role played by the Rockefeller Foundation is duly remembered, and so is the undeniable contribution brought by Dobzhansky, to the establishment of several laboratories dedicated to research in the field of natural population genetics and to the qualification of human resources. On the other hand, important "backstage" episodes are retrieved which were omitted in the official history and occurred from the planning to the execution of the project, carried out on the Angra dos Reis islands. Special attention was given to the relationship problems which resulted from Dobzhansky's, the leader's, difficult personality and contributed to the failure of the second and last multinational project.

Mexico: swapping crude for atoms

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Navarro, B.

1982-01-01

Mexico, considered the Saudi Arabia of the Western Hemisphere because of its proven and potential petroleum reserves, has surprised the world: it has embarked on the biggest nuclear-electric program in the Third World, only to postpone it days before scheduled approval of an international bidding (on which the atomic energy industry had pinned its hopes). A graph shows Mexican supplies of electricity by source with official projections to 1990. The point of entrance of the first nuclear reactor, originally scheduled for 1982, won't come onstream until 1983; and how nuclear-generated electricity grows close to 5% of the total in 1990. The big question is, will the future President of Mexico give the green light to the atomic megaproject. And if he does, how will Mexico deal with the serious logistics problems and grave ecological implications confronting the industry worldwide. In this issue, the author and Energy Detente touch on these questions and review the nuclear power status of Mexico, as well as addressing some of its global problems. Also presented in this issue is an update of the fuel price/tax series for the Western Hemisphere countries

Urban quality of life and industrial project management: the case of Alcan aluminium smelter in Alma, Quebec, Canada

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Simard, M.

2003-01-01

This quality-of-life study involving the population of Alma (30 126 inhabitants) is part of a five-year, multidisciplinary research program entitled 'Modelisation du suivi des impacts sociaux de l'aluminerie Alma'. The goal of this research program is to document the social impacts arising from the establishment of the Alcan industrial mega-complex in Alma (see Map 1). The Alma smelter began operation in 2001. It employs 865 people and has a production capacity of 407 000 MT of aluminium ingots. The research program is being carried out in parallel with the project, rather than retroactively. Thus, various thematic reports have been published on topics such as the project's economic spin-off and changes in the housing and transportation sectors. More specifically, this study aims to gauge the perceptions of Alma residents regarding their quality of life as stakeholders. In order to ensure that the study produced a more accurate indication of the community's evolution and to tie the study in with the various phases of the implementation of this industrial mega-project, it was conducted in three parts, i.e., in 1998, 2000 and 2002, corresponding to the planning, construction and operation phases. (author)

Collaborative technologies for distributed science: fusion energy and high-energy physics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schissel, D P; Gottschalk, E E; Greenwald, M J; McCune, D

2006-01-01

This paper outlines a strategy to significantly enhance scientific collaborations in both Fusion Energy Sciences and in High-Energy Physics through the development and deployment of new tools and technologies into working environments. This strategy is divided into two main elements, collaborative workspaces and secure computational services. Experimental and theory/computational programs will greatly benefit through the provision of a flexible, standards-based collaboration space, which includes advanced tools for ad hoc and structured communications, shared applications and displays, enhanced interactivity for remote data access applications, high performance computational services and an improved security environment. The technologies developed should be prototyped and tested on the current generation of experiments and numerical simulation projects. At the same time, such work should maintain a strong focus on the needs of the next generation of mega-projects, ITER and the ILC. Such an effort needs to leverage existing computer science technology and take full advantage of commercial software wherever possible. This paper compares the requirements of FES and HEP, discuss today's solutions, examine areas where more functionality is required, and discuss those areas with sufficient overlap in requirements that joint research into collaborative technologies will increase the benefit to both

Simulation of motions of the plasma in a fusion reactor for obtaining of future energy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhumabekov, Askhat

2017-01-01

According to the most conservative estimates, by the middle of the XXI century in the world energy consumption will double. This will be a consequence of the global economic development, population growth and other geopolitical and economic factors. Energy consumption in the world is growing much faster than its production and industrial use of new advanced technologies in the energy sector, for objective reasons, will not begin until 2030. This paper discusses how to obtain and develop nuclear energy on the experience of the National Nuclear Center. Implemented model for the problem of plasma confinement, and also presents the main achievements of modern construction and Megaproject National Nuclear Center in Kurchatov, the Republic of Kazakhstan. Spend a social survey in the East Kazakhstan region on the theme: “Prospects for the development of nuclear energy in Kazakhstan” and the citizens’ opinion. Narration new priorities for May 22, 2015 in Ust-Kamenogorsk in the industrial park “Altai” based on the competition of innovation projects green technology in the international exhibition “OSKEMEN EXPO – 2015”, with the participation of the regional authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of JSC NC “Astana Expo” and delegations from Japan, Russia, Canada, USA, South Korea. (paper)

THE ECONOMIC BACKGROUND OF A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. EL TRASFONDO ECONÓMICO DE UN CRIMEN DE LESA HUMANIDAD

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Renan Vega Cantor

2014-06-01

Full Text Available This article, as a result of research, aims to provide key elements, which take into account the links between the free trade and the permanent violation of the human rights and even with crimes against humanity; situations that do not constitute themselves in isolated, circumstantial facts, which are the product of the apparent simultaneousness between crime in abstract, developed in areas where strategic projects for the global economy are projected and developed, but in a matter related, caused, sustained by both national and international economic, political groups that make a profit with these mega-projects. RESUMEN El presente artículo resultado de investigación, pretende aportar elementos clave, que den cuenta de los nexos entre libre comercio y la violación permanente de los derechos humanos e incluso con delitos de lesa humanidad; situaciones que no se constituyen en hechos aislados, circunstanciales y producto de la simultaneidad aparente entre delincuencia en abstracto, desarrollada en zonas donde se proyectan y desarrollan proyectos estratégicos para la economía global, sino en un asunto relacionado, provocado, sostenido por los grupos económicos, políticos tanto nacionales como internacionales que ganan con estos mega-proyectos.

The golden age of Drosophila research at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP): A testimonial on the decades 1940–1950

Science.gov (United States)

de Magalhães, Luiz Edmundo; Vilela, Carlos Ribeiro

2014-01-01

This article is a testimonial written by the first author regarding the research work performed with Drosophila between 1943 and 1959, at the Departamento de Biologia Geral of the Universidade de São Paulo (USP), which permitted the building of a nucleus of excellence. This research work, focused on the systematics and population genetics of the Neotropical species, began during the first of Dobzhansky’s six visits to USP. Special attention was given to the multinational megaprojects conducted during his longer stays, from August 1948 to July 1949 and from June 1955 to July 1956. The role played by the Rockefeller Foundation is duly remembered, and so is the undeniable contribution brought by Dobzhansky, to the establishment of several laboratories dedicated to research in the field of natural population genetics and to the qualification of human resources. On the other hand, important “backstage” episodes are retrieved which were omitted in the official history and occurred from the planning to the execution of the project, carried out on the Angra dos Reis islands. Special attention was given to the relationship problems which resulted from Dobzhansky’s, the leader’s, difficult personality and contributed to the failure of the second and last multinational project. PMID:24688301

Simulation of motions of the plasma in a fusion reactor for obtaining of future energy

Science.gov (United States)

Zhumabekov, Askhat

2017-01-01

According to the most conservative estimates, by the middle of the XXI century in the world energy consumption will double. This will be a consequence of the global economic development, population growth and other geopolitical and economic factors. Energy consumption in the world is growing much faster than its production and industrial use of new advanced technologies in the energy sector, for objective reasons, will not begin until 2030. This paper discusses how to obtain and develop nuclear energy on the experience of the National Nuclear Center. Implemented model for the problem of plasma confinement, and also presents the main achievements of modern construction and Megaproject National Nuclear Center in Kurchatov, the Republic of Kazakhstan. Spend a social survey in the East Kazakhstan region on the theme: “Prospects for the development of nuclear energy in Kazakhstan” and the citizens’ opinion. Narration new priorities for May 22, 2015 in Ust-Kamenogorsk in the industrial park “Altai” based on the competition of innovation projects green technology in the international exhibition “OSKEMEN EXPO - 2015”, with the participation of the regional authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of JSC NC “Astana Expo” and delegations from Japan, Russia, Canada, USA, South Korea.

Transport woes threaten California production

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1994-01-01

California oil producers face a loss of production this year because of constraints on pipeline and tanker transportation to Los Angeles area refineries. The potential bottleneck is occurring at a time when Outer Continental Shelf production is near capacity from Chevron Corp.'s Point Arguello project at the same time production is increasing from Exxon Corp.'s nearby Santa Ynex Unit (SYU) expansion. Both megaprojects must compete for pipeline space with onshore crude producers, notably in California's San Joaquin Valley (SJV). Recent development limiting transportation options include: An indefinite shutdown of Four Corners Pipe Line Co.'s 50,000 b/d Line No. 1, damaged by the Jan. 17 earthquake; Loss of a tanker permit by Chevron and partners for offshore Point Arguello production; Permanent shutdown of Exxon's offshore storage and treatment (OST) facility, which since 1981 has used tankers to transport about 20,000 b/d of SYU production from the Santa Barbara Channel to Los Angeles. The OST, the first commercial floating production system in the US -- placed in the Santa Barbara Channel in 1981 after a decade of precedent setting legal and political battles -- was shut down Apr. 4. The paper discusses these production concerns, available options, the OST shutdown, and the troubled history of the OST

The environmental and socio-economic impacts and benefits associated with developing a natural gas distribution system in Nova Scotia

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Buszynski, M.E.; Peacock, T. [Sempra Atlantic Gas Inc., Halifax, NS (Canada)

2000-07-01

The discovery of large natural gas reserves off the Scotian Shelf has resulted in the development and construction of offshore production platforms as well as underwater and onshore pipelines to transport natural gas to markets on the eastern seaboard. A billion-dollar expenditure is proposed to establish a local distribution company to construct and maintain approximately 8000 km of distribution and lateral pipelines in the province of Nova Scotia. The many aspects of the proposed program were described with particular focus on the regulatory hearings. The paper also discussed the different landscapes that will be crossed and the specialized construction techniques that will be used to meet environmental and economic challenges. The mechanisms in place to ensure maximum benefit for Nova Scotians were also discussed. The proposed project was also compared to other local megaprojects in the province such as the Sable Offshore Energy Project and the Interprovincial Pipeline through Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Some of the successful strategies for implementing benefits plans related to large energy projects were also described. Sempra has been awarded the franchise to distribute natural gas in Nova Scotia. The company has developed a benefits plan that offers significant local involvement in terms of labour and materials. 4 figs.

Integrated Cost and Schedule Control Systems for Nuclear Power Plant Construction: Leveraging Strategic Advantages to Owners and EPC Firms

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Youngsoo Jung

2015-01-01

Full Text Available As the owners expect that the cost and time for nuclear power plant construction would decrease with new entrants into the market, there will be severer competition in the nuclear industry. In order to achieve performance improvement and to attain competitive advantages under the globalized competition, practitioners and researchers in the nuclear industry have recently exerted efforts to develop an advanced and efficient management methodology for the nuclear mega-projects. Among several candidates, integrated cost and schedule control system is of great concern because it can effectively manage the three most important project performances including cost, time, and quality. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to develop a project numbering system (PNS of integrated cost and schedule control system for nuclear power plant construction. Distinct attributes of nuclear power plant construction were investigated first in order to identify influencing variables that characterize real-world implementation of advanced cost and schedule controls. A scenario was then developed and analysed to simulate a case-project. By using this case-project, proposed management requirements, management methods, measurement techniques, data structure, and data collection methods for integrated cost and schedule PNS were illustrated. Finally, findings and implications are outlined, and recommendations for further research are presented.

Mega project Eemscentrale. Part 6. Communication and public relations; Megaproject Eemscentrale. Deel 6. Veel aandacht voor communicatie bij bouw Eemscentrale

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Crone, K. [Crone Communicatie, Diemen (Netherlands)

1996-04-01

In a series of 8 articles attention is paid to several aspects of the Netherlands largest Energy Construction project, the gas-fired power plant `Eemscentrale`. In this article communications and the societal impact of the project are dealt with. 3 ills.

Proceedings of the Canadian oil sands forum 2007 : creating excellence through innovation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

2007-01-01

The supply from Canada's oil sands industry is growing at an accelerated pace. This conference was intended for professionals in the oil sands industry seeking updated information on oil sands developments, transportation issues and future market challenges and opportunities. It was attended by a broad range of industry participants who addressed some of the critical issues involved in developing oil sands projects. Despite market opportunities which have resulted in a fast pace of development and continually evolving project plans, there are challenges and uncertainties that must be overcome in order to achieve projected levels of supply growth. It was noted that the business environment in the oil sands industry is continually changing in terms of current supply/market/refining situations and new market developments. The conference also addressed how capital cost and mega-project management issues are being addressed. Expanding market opportunities for Canada's growing oil sands supply were highlighted along with latest developments related to upgrading strategies. Market experts also discussed issues related to synthetic crude, heavy oil markets and the supply and demand of diluents. The sessions were entitled: challenges and opportunities in oil sands; oil sands business outlook; latest project development updates; integration of Canadian oil sands with U.S. refining; and, technology and oil sands innovations.The conference featured 16 presentations, of which 6 have been catalogued separately for inclusion in this database. tabs., figs

Continental divide

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Quinn, F.J.

1991-01-01

The historical precedents to the idea of continent-wide diversion of water in North America are reviewed, starting from early perceptions of continental drainage and the era of canal building that reached its peak in the mid-1800s. The attitude that natural landscapes can be rearranged to suit human needs has persisted from that era with the proposal for continent-wide water diversion megaprojects, many involving the movement of water from Canada to the southwestern USA. Over 50 water diversions exist in Canada, with a total diverted flow of 4,400 m 3 /s. The density of interconnected and almost-connected lakes and rivers has favored such diversions. Of these diversions, 95% of their storage capacity and 96% of their flow is for hydroelectric power generation. The number of diversions in the USA is similar but water volumes are only a sixth of those in Canada, and the water is mainly used for irrigation or water supply. Experience in both countries shows that diversions are contained by political boundaries. No large-scale diversion of fresh water across the international boundary has received any government support, and no significant change in this policy is anticipated. In the water-short areas of the USA, conservation and reallocation of water resources are receiving priority. 19 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs

Progress of the EAST project in China

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wan, Y.X.; Wu, S.T.; Weng, P.D.; Li, J.G.; Gao, D.M.

2005-01-01

The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) project is one of the National Mega-Projects of Science Research of China, which was approved by Chinese government in 1998. EAST is a full superconducting tokamak with an elongated plasma cross-section. The mission of the project is to widely investigate both of the physics and the technologies of advanced tokamak operations, especially the mechanism of power and particle handling for steady-state operations. The basic requirements for the EAST tokamak are full superconducting coils, suitable inductive current system, continuous working non-inductive current driven and heating systems, flexible operation scenarios, flexible J(r) and P(r) control, reliable and fast plasma positioning and shaping control, changeable plasma facing components, advanced divertor and diagnostics. Significant progress of the EAST project has been achieved during last two years. The R and D programs, mainly focused on the superconducting magnets, have processed successfully. The prototypes of main parts have been fabricated and qualified. Most of the key parts of the machine have been delivered to the assembly site. The assembly of the device has begun. It is planned to obtain the first plasma in 2005. The detail information of the testing results of superconducting magnets will be given in this paper. The assembly plan and the experimental plan will be introduced, too. (author)

Citizens, Criminalization and Violence in Natural Resource Conflicts in Latin America

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Elisabet Dueholm Rasch

2017-06-01

Full Text Available In Latin America grassroots organizing against megaprojects such as open pit mining, oil extraction, hydro dams and large plantations goes hand in hand with increased criminalization of social protest and violations of the human rights of activists. This results in numerous communities demanding a clean environment, participation, and justice – all at the same time. They not only face foreign companies, but are also caught in the middle of armed and non-armed actors that contest the same territory and its natural resources. Their resistance is considered as a threat to internal security; citizens are increasingly viewed as criminals. This paper suggests new avenues for research that is located at the nexus of local resistance towards megaprojects and the increase of human rights violations and criminalization in natural resource conflicts. It proposes, first, to approach natural resource conflicts as hybrid spaces where citizenship is constructed in relation to multiple actors that engage in processes of providing, protecting and violating citizenship rights, and second, to study such processes by way of slow ethnography. Such an approach to natural resource conflicts paves the way not only for understanding how citizens engage in acts of resistance and experience violations of human rights, but also how such processes shape new subject-positions.Resumen: Ciudadanos como criminales: Ciudadanía, criminalización y violencia en conflictos sobre recursos naturalesEn América Latina la resistencia a mega proyectos como la minería a cielo abierto, la ex-tracción de petróleo, la construcción de hidroeléctricas y el monocultivo de grandes extensiones va de la mano con la criminalización de la protesta social y violaciones de los derechos humanos de los activistas. Eso resulta en comunidades que demandan un ambiente sano, participación y justicia social al mismo tiempo. Estas comunidades no solamente enfrentan las compañías extranjeras, sino

Modern Integration Processes in the Asia-Pacific Region: the Formation of Trans-Regional Mega-Agreements

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Maliuta Iryna A.

2017-12-01

Full Text Available In the 21st century, especially in the last decade, new intercontinental integration projects appear on the global stage with a high potential for influencing the regional economic structure and at the same time bearing certain challenges for the international geo-economic and geo-political map of the world. Comprehensive new-generation inter-regional agreements are being formed, such as the TTP, the TTIP, the RCEP, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Canada and the EU (CETA, the Japan-EU Economic Partnership. The Asia-Pacific region has been an active participant in the creation and promotion of mega-regional trade agreements. Mega-regional trade agreements in the Asia-Pacific region, namely the TTP and the RCEP, are analyzed as mega-projects with an unprecedented scale of liberalization within the framework of the agreement that include provisions complementing the WTO framework or extending beyond it. There identified reasons for the emergence of mega-regional trade agreements and prospects for the implementation of these projects, as well as possible consequences for the international economic system. It is established that new trans-regional projects, providing certain advantages to the participating countries, simultaneously carry both opportunities and challenges for the world economy. The latter are associated with the threats of crowding the countries that do not take an active part in the integration processes out of the global chains of value creation as well as of the processes of international trade.

Dispositivos de la globalización: la construcción de grandes proyectos urbanos en Ciudad de México

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Alfonso Valenzuela

2013-01-01

Full Text Available El impacto territorial de la globalización se ha traducido en la construcción de grandes proyectos urbanos que han servido como puntos de contacto al interior de las ciudades ligadas a los circuitos de capital. Mediante una aproximación gramsciana, analizamos el fenómeno de los megaproyectos en América Latina tomando como caso de estudio Santa Fe, en el poniente de Ciudad de México, como un parque corporativo inscrito dentro de los flujos hegemónicos globales. Desarrollamos para el análisis el concepto de dispositivo de la globalización, como el espacio urbano articulador del capital global. Dichos dispositivos funcionan a una velocidad distinta al resto de la ciudad circundante y se revelan como un instrumento del poder económico vertical en medio de una horizontalidad distante, empobrecida y ajena a los lujos globales.The territorial impact of globalization materializes with the construction of large urban projects, which serve as contact points within cities related to the circuits of capital. By means of a gramscian approach we use Santa Fe - a megaproject in the western part of Mexico City - as a case study of a corporative development project inscribed in global hegemonic flows. Building upon the concept of global devices to designate such projects, they become the urban space link to global capital. However, such devices operate at a different speed than the rest of the city, as instrument of a vertical economic power in the midst of a distant, impoverished and unrelated to globalflows horizontality.

Integrating human health into environmental impact assessment: case studies of Canada's Northern mining resource sector

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Noble, B.F.; Bronson, J.E.

2005-01-01

This paper examines the integration of human health considerations into environmental impact assessment (EIA) in the Canadian North. Emphasis is placed on the northern mining sector, where more land has been staked in the past decade than in the previous 50 years combined. Using information from interviews with northern EIA and health practitioners and reviews of selected project documents, we examined three principal mining case studies, northern Saskatchewan uranium mining operations, the Ekati diamond project, and the Voisey's Bay mine/mill project, to determine whether and how health considerations in EIA have evolved and the current nature and scope of health integration. Results suggest that despite the recognized link between environment and health and the number of high-profile megaprojects in Canada's North, human health, particularly social health, has not been given adequate treatment in northern EIA. Health considerations in EIA have typically been limited to physical health impacts triggered directly by project-induced environmental change, while social and other health determinants have been either not considered at all, or limited to those aspects of health and well-being that the project proponent directly controlled, namely employment opportunities and worker health and safety. In recent years, we have been seeing improvements in the scope of health in EIA to reflect a broader range of health determinants, including traditional land use and culture. However, there is still a need to adopt impact mitigation and enhancement measures that are sensitive to northern society, to monitor and follow up actual health impacts after project approval, and to ensure that mitigation and enhancement measures are effective. (author)

Local perceptions on social-ecological dynamics in Latin America in three community-based natural resource management systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Maria del Mar Delgado-Serrano

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Several examples of community-based natural resource management in Latin American social-ecological systems exist in which communities control the management of common-pool resources. Understanding community perceptions of the performance of these systems is essential to involve communities in sustainable management strategies. In this analysis of three areas in Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina, we analyzed the local perceptions of the social and environmental challenges faced by these social-ecological systems and how these challenges and drivers affect their resilience. To do this, we combined prospective structural analysis to unravel stakeholders' perceptions of each system's functioning along with network analysis to assess resilience. We identified external variables as the most influential variables in the Colombian and Argentine cases. In the Mexican case, larger influence is exerted by internal variables, particularly those linked to the governance system. The case study analysis revealed that the community-based natural resource management approach needs external support and recognition to work effectively. In the Argentine and Colombian cases, megaprojects were perceived as controllers with medium or strong influence but low dependence. The use of ancestral knowledge (Colombia, the history of land use (Mexico, and the history of the artisanal fishery (Argentina were all perceived as common challenges to community-based natural resource management. In terms of social-ecological resilience, framed within the three-dimensional model of the adaptive cycle, all three social-ecological systems were considered to be highly connected and resilient but with different degrees of capacity or cumulative potential.

Dialing long distance : communications to northern operations like the MGP require sophisticated satellite networks for voice, data

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cook, D.

2006-04-15

Telecommunications will play a major role in the construction of the Mackenzie Gas Project due to the remoteness of its location and the volume of communication data required to support the number of people involved and the amount of construction activity. While suppliers for communications tools have not yet been identified, initial telecommunications plans call for the installation of communication equipment at all camps, major facility sites and construction locations. Equipment will be housed in self-contained, climate-controlled buildings called telecommunication service modules (TSMs), which will be connected to each other as well as to existing public communications networks. The infrastructure will support telephone and fax systems; Internet and electronic mail services; multiple channel very high frequency radios; air-to-ground communication at airstrips and helipads; ship-to-shore at barge landings; closed circuit television; satellite community antenna television; CBC radio broadcast; public address systems; security systems; and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. An Internet Protocol (IP) network with a voice telephone system will be implemented along with a geostationary orbit satellite network. Satellite servers and real-time data services will be used. Car kits that allow call and battery-operated self-contained telemetry devices designed to communicate via a satellite system have been commissioned for the project that are capable of providing cost-efficient and reliable asset tracking and fleet management in remote regions and assisting in deployment requirements. It was concluded that many of today's mega-projects are the driving factors behind new telecommunications solutions in remote areas. 1 fig.

Reliability assessment of complex electromechanical systems under epistemic uncertainty

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mi, Jinhua; Li, Yan-Feng; Yang, Yuan-Jian; Peng, Weiwen; Huang, Hong-Zhong

2016-01-01

The appearance of macro-engineering and mega-project have led to the increasing complexity of modern electromechanical systems (EMSs). The complexity of the system structure and failure mechanism makes it more difficult for reliability assessment of these systems. Uncertainty, dynamic and nonlinearity characteristics always exist in engineering systems due to the complexity introduced by the changing environments, lack of data and random interference. This paper presents a comprehensive study on the reliability assessment of complex systems. In view of the dynamic characteristics within the system, it makes use of the advantages of the dynamic fault tree (DFT) for characterizing system behaviors. The lifetime of system units can be expressed as bounded closed intervals by incorporating field failures, test data and design expertize. Then the coefficient of variation (COV) method is employed to estimate the parameters of life distributions. An extended probability-box (P-Box) is proposed to convey the present of epistemic uncertainty induced by the incomplete information about the data. By mapping the DFT into an equivalent Bayesian network (BN), relevant reliability parameters and indexes have been calculated. Furthermore, the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation method is utilized to compute the DFT model with consideration of system replacement policy. The results show that this integrated approach is more flexible and effective for assessing the reliability of complex dynamic systems. - Highlights: • A comprehensive study on the reliability assessment of complex system is presented. • An extended probability-box is proposed to convey the present of epistemic uncertainty. • The dynamic fault tree model is built. • Bayesian network and Monte Carlo simulation methods are used. • The reliability assessment of a complex electromechanical system is performed.

Dealing with PM demons : in the wake of a series of megaproject snafus, project managers are under the gun to deal more effectively with the details

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lunan, D.

2006-08-15

This article argued that many of the project management problems currently experienced in the oil and gas industry are the result of cut-backs in project management staff in the mid 1980s. As the industry began to grow, there was a dearth of new managers with enough experience to deal with massive new projects. Suncor Energy's Millennium oilsands project was 6 months late getting started and the final $3.5 billion price tag was 70 per cent over initial budget forecasts. Shell Canada's Albian Sands bitumen project was also 6 months late and was 60 per cent more costly than anticipated. Syncrude Canada's Upgrader expansion was 18 months late and cost $8.6 billion, more than 100 per cent over initial budget forecasts. It was suggested that Syncrude relied too heavily on the expertise of contractor organizations. The lack of in-house talent has meant that companies are turning more and more to outside project management consultants. However, Syncrude's recent difficulties have suggested that large companies are in need of in-house project management teams so that companies can focus on safe, reliable operations. Extensive pre-engineering can reduce the need for project scope changes. It was concluded that although modularization, fixed-price contracts and high standards of data acquisition are also necessary, the success of a large project will depend ultimately on the experience and talents of project managers. 2 figs.

Dealing with PM demons : in the wake of a series of megaproject snafus, project managers are under the gun to deal more effectively with the details

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lunan, D.

2006-01-01

This article argued that many of the project management problems currently experienced in the oil and gas industry are the result of cut-backs in project management staff in the mid 1980s. As the industry began to grow, there was a dearth of new managers with enough experience to deal with massive new projects. Suncor Energy's Millennium oilsands project was 6 months late getting started and the final $3.5 billion price tag was 70 per cent over initial budget forecasts. Shell Canada's Albian Sands bitumen project was also 6 months late and was 60 per cent more costly than anticipated. Syncrude Canada's Upgrader expansion was 18 months late and cost $8.6 billion, more than 100 per cent over initial budget forecasts. It was suggested that Syncrude relied too heavily on the expertise of contractor organizations. The lack of in-house talent has meant that companies are turning more and more to outside project management consultants. However, Syncrude's recent difficulties have suggested that large companies are in need of in-house project management teams so that companies can focus on safe, reliable operations. Extensive pre-engineering can reduce the need for project scope changes. It was concluded that although modularization, fixed-price contracts and high standards of data acquisition are also necessary, the success of a large project will depend ultimately on the experience and talents of project managers. 2 figs

Nation-building, industrialisation, and spectacle: Political functions of Gujarat’s Narmada pipeline project

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mona Luxion

2017-06-01

Full Text Available Since 2000 the Indian state of Gujarat has been working to construct a state-wide water grid to connect 75% of its approximately 60 million urban and rural residents to drinking water sourced from the controversial Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. This project represents a massive undertaking – it is billed as the largest drinking water project in the world – and is part of a broader predilection toward large, concrete-heavy supply-side solutions to water insecurity across present-day India. This paper tracks the claims and narratives used to promote the project, the political context in which it has emerged, the purposes it serves and, following Ferguson (1990, the functioning of the discursive-bureaucratic 'machine' of which it is a product. The dam’s reinvention as the solution to Gujarat’s drinking water shortfall – increasingly for cities and Special Industrial Regions – reflects a concern with attracting and retaining foreign investment through the creation of socalled 'world-class' infrastructure. At the same time, this reinvention has contributed to a project of nationbuilding, while remaining cloaked in a discourse of technological neutrality. The heavy infrastructure renders visible Gujarat’s commitment to 'development' even when that promise has yet to be realised for many, while the promise of Narmada water gives Gujarat’s leaders political capital with favoured investors and political supporters. In conclusion, I suggest that the success of infrastructure mega-projects as a political tool is not intrinsically tied to their ability to achieve their technical and social objectives. Instead, the 'spectacle' of ambitious infrastructural development projects may well yield political gains that outweigh, for a time, the realworld costs of their inequity and unsustainability.

Quantitative analysis on the environmental impact of large-scale water transfer project on water resource area in a changing environment

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D. H. Yan

2012-08-01

Full Text Available The interbasin long-distance water transfer project is key support for the reasonable allocation of water resources in a large-scale area, which can optimize the spatio-temporal change of water resources to secure the amount of water available. Large-scale water transfer projects have a deep influence on ecosystems; besides, global climate change causes uncertainty and additive effect of the environmental impact of water transfer projects. Therefore, how to assess the ecological and environmental impact of megaprojects in both construction and operation phases has triggered a lot of attention. The water-output area of the western route of China's South-North Water Transfer Project was taken as the study area of the present article. According to relevant evaluation principles and on the basis of background analysis, we identified the influencing factors and established the diagnostic index system. The climate-hydrology-ecology coupled simulation model was used to simulate and predict ecological and environmental responses of the water resource area in a changing environment. The emphasis of impact evaluation was placed on the reservoir construction and operation scheduling, representative river corridors and wetlands, natural reserves and the water environment below the dam sites. In the end, an overall evaluation of the comprehensive influence of the project was conducted. The research results were as follows: the environmental impacts of the western route project in the water resource area were concentrated on two aspects: the permanent destruction of vegetation during the phase of dam construction and river impoundment, and the significant influence on the hydrological situation of natural river corridor after the implementation of water extraction. The impact on local climate, vegetation ecology, typical wetlands, natural reserves and the water environment of river basins below the dam sites was small.

New Model of Evolution of Technologies and Prospects of Research With Using Big Data

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Sergey Krichevsky

2016-10-01

Full Text Available In order to create the adequate technical picture of the world we need the new comprehension, the new models of evolution of technology and technosphere, and the new tools of perception, fixation and interpretation of the artefacts of the technical reality. A new interpretation of the notion «technological mode», which is the key in this article is suggested. Technological mode is the order of the existence and the activity of the society with the application of a number of mutually connected technologies, in the format of socio-techno-natural system, in the interaction with the environment, with the coverage of socio-eco-economic aspects. A new model of the evolution of technologies in the global paradigm of the global future and «green» development has been developed. The model shows: 1 the accelerated growth and the estimation of the total number of technologies; 2 1st - 7th technological modes (including the promising «green» as the rising levels of the integral technological way, inscribed in the Snooks-Panov’s hyperbolic curve, which reflects the process of evolution on the Earth with a singularity ~ in 2045 (forecast; 3 before-singular as well as post-singular migration options and global future; 4 a hypothetical post-singular 8th technological mode. As a new tool, it is proposed to use Big Data for the research of the nonlinear global process of evolution of technologies, technological modes, and the technosphere for the purpose of the analysis, forecast and management. The idea and the foundations of the concept of a new international mega-project «Big data for research of the evolution of technologies» are also stated.

Bookshelf (The Particle Garden, An Introduction to Cosmology and A Scientific Biography)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Anon.

1995-09-15

The Particle Garden, by Gordon Kane: Addison Wesley, ISBN 0-201-40780-9: 'Our universe as understood by particle physicists' is the subsidiary title of Gordon Kane's attractive new book. In setting out to present a balanced picture of particle physics, Professor Kane has written the sort of book which could easily motivate a young student to turn to particle physics research. (The author relates how he was turned on by reading a book about Einstein.) In explaining particle physics wisdom, especially instructive is the distinction drawn in the book between 'Descriptive Understanding', 'Input and Mechanism Understanding' and 'Why Understanding'. The analogy uses a vidéocassette recorder (VCR): Descriptive Understanding corresponds to being able to work and handle a VCR which did not come with the appropriate documentation; Input and Mechanism Understanding means the ability to fix the VCR unaided if it goes wrong; and Why Understanding confers the ability to invent a VCR and make one. The book also rues the unfortunate disappearance of the US Superconducting Supercollider megaproject.; An Introduction to Cosmology, by Jeremy Bernstein: Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-110504-3: Professor Bernstein is a successful physicist and science writer, and 'An Introduction to Cosmology' benefits from both these skills. It is both a textbook and a good read. The author explains that the book arose from a course he gave at the Stevens Institute of Cosmology. Teaching this course was one of the most pleasant tasks I have had as a professor,' he admits in the introduction. It shows. The physics arguments are well constructed, and the book is packed with anecdotes. The introduction is especially good, and a more general overview in Part 1, although very qualitative, introduces many very useful numerical ideas which help place terrestrial physics in a more humble context.

Implementing the EMF 9 gas trade scenarios and interpreting the results

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rowse, J.

1989-01-01

Detailed description of the model employed appears in Rowse (1986) and the Appendix of Rowse (1987). Only the salient features are discussed here, along with the modifications carried out for the EMF scenarios and certain specific data and assumptions important for understanding the empirical results. The nonlinear programming model has seven Canadian regions, pipeline links to three US regions, twenty-five three-year time periods representing 1986-2060, and perfect foresight in allocating gas to domestic and export regions. It determines equilibrium Canadian consumption levels, Canadian supplies and exports to the US over this time frame by solving for equilibrium prices. Figure 1 indicates the regional breakdown employed, with the principal supply regions lying in Western Canada. Ontario is the principal consuming region in Canada. Prospective supplies and their locations are also indicated in Figure 1. All producing provinces of Western Canada have existing and prospective conventional supplies of gas, while prospective nonconventional supplies are confied to Alberta. Nonconventional or Deep Basin supplies are assumed available only by the mid-1990's at the earliest because they have not previously been commercially produced. Prospective supplies are also assumed available from the Mackenzie Delta/Beaufort Sea area - henceforth simply Delta - but only by the mid-1990's as well due to the lead time necessary for pipeline construction and for industry confidence in the financial viability of megaprojects to recover. Delta gas is shown as a prospective Alberta source because, if developed, it will likely be pipelined south to connect with the existing transportation network in Alberta. Both nonconventional gas and Delta gas are more costly than future conventional gas supplies but the latter can only be introduced gradually over time because of constraints on gas finding rates and expansion of the domestic drilling rig fleet

Quantitative analysis on the environmental impact of large-scale water transfer project on water resource area in a changing environment

Science.gov (United States)

Yan, D. H.; Wang, H.; Li, H. H.; Wang, G.; Qin, T. L.; Wang, D. Y.; Wang, L. H.

2012-08-01

The interbasin long-distance water transfer project is key support for the reasonable allocation of water resources in a large-scale area, which can optimize the spatio-temporal change of water resources to secure the amount of water available. Large-scale water transfer projects have a deep influence on ecosystems; besides, global climate change causes uncertainty and additive effect of the environmental impact of water transfer projects. Therefore, how to assess the ecological and environmental impact of megaprojects in both construction and operation phases has triggered a lot of attention. The water-output area of the western route of China's South-North Water Transfer Project was taken as the study area of the present article. According to relevant evaluation principles and on the basis of background analysis, we identified the influencing factors and established the diagnostic index system. The climate-hydrology-ecology coupled simulation model was used to simulate and predict ecological and environmental responses of the water resource area in a changing environment. The emphasis of impact evaluation was placed on the reservoir construction and operation scheduling, representative river corridors and wetlands, natural reserves and the water environment below the dam sites. In the end, an overall evaluation of the comprehensive influence of the project was conducted. The research results were as follows: the environmental impacts of the western route project in the water resource area were concentrated on two aspects: the permanent destruction of vegetation during the phase of dam construction and river impoundment, and the significant influence on the hydrological situation of natural river corridor after the implementation of water extraction. The impact on local climate, vegetation ecology, typical wetlands, natural reserves and the water environment of river basins below the dam sites was small.

La polarización de la política de salud en México Health policy polarisation in Mexico

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Oliva López-Arellano

2001-02-01

megaprojects impossed by the international financial intitutions.

Bookshelf (The Particle Garden, An Introduction to Cosmology and A Scientific Biography)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Anon.

1995-01-01

The Particle Garden, by Gordon Kane: Addison Wesley, ISBN 0-201-40780-9: 'Our universe as understood by particle physicists' is the subsidiary title of Gordon Kane's attractive new book. In setting out to present a balanced picture of particle physics, Professor Kane has written the sort of book which could easily motivate a young student to turn to particle physics research. (The author relates how he was turned on by reading a book about Einstein.) In explaining particle physics wisdom, especially instructive is the distinction drawn in the book between 'Descriptive Understanding', 'Input and Mechanism Understanding' and 'Why Understanding'. The analogy uses a vidéocassette recorder (VCR): Descriptive Understanding corresponds to being able to work and handle a VCR which did not come with the appropriate documentation; Input and Mechanism Understanding means the ability to fix the VCR unaided if it goes wrong; and Why Understanding confers the ability to invent a VCR and make one. The book also rues the unfortunate disappearance of the US Superconducting Supercollider megaproject.; An Introduction to Cosmology, by Jeremy Bernstein: Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-110504-3: Professor Bernstein is a successful physicist and science writer, and 'An Introduction to Cosmology' benefits from both these skills. It is both a textbook and a good read. The author explains that the book arose from a course he gave at the Stevens Institute of Cosmology. Teaching this course was one of the most pleasant tasks I have had as a professor,' he admits in the introduction. It shows. The physics arguments are well constructed, and the book is packed with anecdotes. The introduction is especially good, and a more general overview in Part 1, although very qualitative, introduces many very useful numerical ideas which help place terrestrial physics in a more humble context

De la tierra al suelo: la transformación del paisaje y el nuevo turismo residencial

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Aledo Tur, Antonio

2008-02-01

Full Text Available Residential Tourism has had a main role of speeding up the social and environmental processes of change that took place in Spain during the second half of the last century. This article begins with the description of its main characteristics, its effects at a local level and the different phases of its evolution. A special reference will be made with regard to last phase (2002-2007 which has been nomitaded New Residential Tourism (NRT. NRT is characterized by the appearance of urban megaprojects of thousands of households, with several golf courses and all the services needed. Its goal is to build privatized units of residential leisure, which are autonomous and independent from the territory where they are settled. In this paper there is an underlying reflection about the socio-cultural consequences of the transformation of agricultural land into urban land. A land that is definitely denatured and transformed into urban space for tourism consumption.El turismo residencial ha sido un agente acelerador de los procesos de transformación social y ambiental acaecidos en la España mediterránea durante la segunda mitad del siglo pasado. Este trabajo se inicia con la descripción de sus principales características, sus efectos a escala local y sus diferentes fases evolutivas. Se hará una especial referencia al último período que se ha iniciado en 2002 y que se ha denominado Nuevo Turismo Residencia (NTR. El NTR se caracteriza por la aparición de megaproyectos urbanísticos de miles de viviendas, con varios campos de golf y todos los servicios necesarios para convertirlo en una unidad de ocio residencial privatizada, autónoma e independiente del territorio en el que se instale. En última instancia, en este artículo subyace una reflexión en torno a las consecuencias socioculturales de la transformación de la tierra en suelo ya que éste es el principal recurso del turismo residencial. La tierra ha pasado de entenderse como un espacio para la

Componentes normativas de alta incidencia en la nueva morfología del Santiago Metropolitano: una revisión crítica de la norma de "Conjunto Armónico"

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Elke Schlack

2011-05-01

Full Text Available Mayor altura, mayor densidad habitacional y diferenciación tipológica respecto del entorno son las principales cualidades de los edificios que se construyen actualmente en el marco de la normativa chilena llamada "Conjunto Armónico". Considerando que esta normativa promueve la excepción morfológica y funcional de los proyectos respecto a su entorno, se sostiene que esta regulación podría constituir una manera de normar edificios excepcionales en la ciudad: aquello que hoy se conoce como "megaproyectos". Este artículo ilustra dos momentos en la evolución de esta norma. En ambos se puede visualizar la intención de constituir piezas de relevancia urbana. Se muestra la evolución de la norma y se ejemplifica a través de casos del periodo inicial, asociado a la visión composicional (1930-50, y de un segundo período, asociado a la visión funcionalista de la ciudad (1960-80. Se contrastan los objetivos asociados a estas dos etapas, con las cualidades que actualmente promueve la norma de Conjunto Armónico. Se reflexiona acerca de la pertinencia actual de la norma y se comentan las posibilidades que brinda hoy este instrumento para la gestión de piezas de relevancia urbana.Increased height, higher residential density and typological differentiation regarding the environment are the main characteristics of buildings that are currently constructed int eh context of the Chilean legalnorm known as "Harmonic Set". Considering that this norm promotes the morphological and functional exception of such projects regarding their environment, it is maintained that this regulation could represent one way to regulate certain exceptional buildings in the city: those that today are known as mega-projects. This articule illustrates two moments in the evoluation of this legal norm. In both, the intent to form relevant urban archetypes can be clearly seen. It shows the evolution of this norm and exemplifies this process through cases from the initial

Proyecto genoma humano: un arma de doble filo The Human Genome Project: A double edge weapon

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Elizabeth Hernández Moore

2001-04-01

, projections in science, technology and society among those that the HGP does not qualify like an autochthonous priority, even when we do not disquilify in its essence such megaprojects originated in the centers and circuits characteristics of the science of the North

EC FP6 Siberia-focused Enviro-RISKS Project and its Outcomes

Science.gov (United States)

Baklanov, A. A.; Gordov, E. P.

2009-04-01

The FP6 Project "Man-induced Environmental Risks: Monitoring, Management and Remediation of Man-made Changes in Siberia" (Enviro-RISKS) strategic objective is to facilitate elaboration of solid scientific background and understanding of man-made associated environmental risks, their influence on all aspects of regional environment and optimal ways for it remediation by means of coordinated initiatives of a range of relevant RTD projects as well as to achieve their improved integration thus giving the projects additional synergy in current activities and potential for practical applications. List of Partners includes 3 leading European research organizations, 6 leading Russian research organizations (5 - located in Siberia) and 1 organization from Kazakhstan. Additionally several Russian and European research organizations joined to the Project as Associated Partners. Scientific background and foundation for the project performance is formed by a number of different levels RTD projects carried out by Partners and devoted to near all aspects of the theme. The set comprise coordinated/performed by partners EC funded thematic international projects, Russian national projects and other projects performed by NIS partners. Project outcomes include, in particular, development and support of the bilingual Enviro-RISKS web portal (http://risks.scert.ru/) as the major tool for disseminations of environmental information and project results; achieved level of development of Siberia Integrated Regional Study (SIRS, http://sirs.scert.ru/), which is the Siberia-focused NEESPI Environmental Mega-Project ongoing under the auspices of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The main Project outcome are Memorandum on the state of the art of environmental RTD activity in Siberia and Recommendations on future environmental RTD activity in Siberia elaborated by four Working Experts Groups working in most important for Siberia Thematic Focuses. Three Thematic Focuses

GREEN DEVELOPMENT MODES OF THE BELT AND ROAD

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Dong Suocheng

2017-01-01

Full Text Available A number of countries are concerned, to a certain degree, about the prospects for the implementation of the Chinese strategic initiative for the joint creation of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” (SREB. These concerns relate to fears of the transfer from China to the “belt” countries of excessive capacities of the polluting primaries industries, possible environmental degradation, and the destruction of the traditional way of life as a result of the implementation of mega-projects, and the fragility and vulnerability of many ecosystems along the routes of the prospective throughways between the eastern provinces of China and Europe [Bezrukov, 2016]. Environmental problems are clearly of key importance for the prospects of China’s initiative. The initiative’s program documents have stressed the need to take into account the interests of all parties and act solely on the basis of mutual benefit. The authors briefly consider the variety of natural and socio-economic conditions in the SREB zone and the sharp differences in the degree of economic development of the territory, which require close attention and scientific justification for political and economic decisions. Particular differences include temperature regime, precipitation, modern atmospheric circulation, transport of particulate matter and contaminants, soils, vegetation, land use, and risks of desertification in the SREB zone. The potential of complementarity of the natural resources of China and a number of neighboring countries may be realized. The paper also discusses China’s present policy in the transition to sustainable development and its underlying concepts and achievements, especially at the level of regions and cities, including the concept of “ecological civilization” and the six stages of greening of cities. The authors believe that tourism related activities should be coordinated specifically at the city level as part of �

The new railway tunnels of Frejus and Gothard: a political and institutional comparative analysis

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Gerardo Marletto

2011-12-01

Full Text Available Projects of the two new railway transalpine tunnel of Frejus and Gothard have similar technical characteristics: an identical length (57 km, a similar cost (10 billion Euros and the existence of a highway along the same Alpine corridor. But, whilst the new Gothard is now under construction and should become operational in 2017, the new Frejus is at standstill at preliminary phases and has faced a very strong local opposition on the Italian side of the Alps. This difference can be explained by analysing the political and institutional framework of the two projects. The new Swiss tunnel is integrated into a national scheme of transport policy which is based on: the development of a new system of railway infrastructures, which features two new transalpine tunnels (the new Gothard and the Loetschberg;  the implementation of a distance-related heavy vehicle fee, which is levied on the basis of total weight, emission level and the kilometres driven; the provision of financial resources to stimulate the transfer of transalpine freight from road to railway. The approval of such a scheme started twenty years ago: it was based on a constitutional decree, implemented through several Federal acts and supported by three confirmatory referenda. The new French-Italian infrastructure is not integrated in any transport policy scheme. The new tunnel is only partially consistent with the overall goals of the European transport policy and the Transport Protocol of the Alpine Convention (which has not yet been ratified by the Italian Parliament: actually no action for modal shift is envisaged. Moreover, the new tunnel was initially supported by a structured consultative and participative procedure – based on the ‘débat public’ technique – only in France. In Italy this megaproject was not backed by an effective deliberation process, neither at the local nor the national level; on the contrary: it was considered among the strategic projects of the so

Contests over social memory in waterfront Vancouver: Historical editing & obfuscation through public art

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Gordon Brent Ingram

2000-02-01

Full Text Available Every public art site has a relationship to the history of surrounding areas whether in obscuring social memory or in highlighting certain relationships and events over others. Over the last decade, much of central Vancouver's waterfront, particularly around False Creek (a marine inlet, has been redeveloped with international capital - much of which has been linked to Hong Kong. Several large redevelopment areas have involved close cooperation in urban design processes between `the city' and `the developer'. In these megaprojects, public art has emerged as a more substantial and stable urban amenity while becoming less overtly ideological and associated with democratic public space. In this part of North America, such relatively public art projects have become almost iconographic for economic and social changes associated with globalization. Contentious historical information has tended to be censored - particularly around a range of non-European communities and events over the last century involving social conflict. In the same period, outdoor art has been increasingly used as a part of strategies to reclaim public space and attempts to democratize it. These two kinds and functions of public art have tended to be used for divergent experiences of the relationships of history to the present, of public space and the existence of and responses to social conflict, and of `sense of place'. Six public art sites, with four built, along the north shore of False Creek, in central Vancouver, are analyzed in terms of their cultural, urban and spatial politics and, in particular, in terms of contemporary tensions around the extent of aboriginal presence before and after the arrival of Europeans, the multiracial and multicultural origins and character of the city, contamination with toxic chemicals, violence against women, and the AIDS pandemic. A method for better analyzing the cultural politics of public art sites (and the design processes that were

After Three Gorges Dam: What have we learned?

Science.gov (United States)

Natali, J.; Williams, P.; Wong, R.; Kondolf, G. M.

2013-12-01

China is at a critical point in its development path. By investing heavily in large-scale infrastructure, the rewards of economic growth weigh against long-term environmental and social costs. The construction of Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric project, began in 1994. Between 2002 and 2010, its 660 kilometer reservoir filled behind a 181 meter dam, displacing at least 1.4 million people and transforming Asia's longest river (the Yangtze) while generating nearly 100 billion kWh/yr of electricity -- 2.85% of China's current electric power usage. As the mega-project progenitor in a cascade of planned dams, the Three Gorges Dam emerges as a test case for how China will plan, execute and mitigate its development pathway and the transformation of its environment. Post-Project Assessments (PPA) provide a systematic, scientific method for improving the practice of environmental management - particularly as they apply to human intervention in river systems. In 2012, the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning at University of California, Berkeley organized a symposium-based PPA for the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River. Prior to this symposium, the twelve invited Chinese scientists, engineers and economists with recent research on Three Gorges Dam had not had the opportunity to present their evaluations together in an open, public forum. With a 50-year planning horizon, the symposium's five sessions centered on impacts on flows, geomorphology, geologic hazards, the environment and socioeconomic effects. Three Gorges' project goals focused on flood control, hydropower and improved navigation. According to expert research, major changes in sediment budget and flow regime from reservoir operation have significantly reduced sediment discharge into the downstream river and estuary, initiating a series of geomorphic changes with ecological and social impacts. While the dam reduces high flow stages from floods originating above the

O admirável Projeto Genoma Humano The brave New Human Genome Project

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Marilena V. Corrêa

2002-12-01

Full Text Available Este artigo apresenta um panorama das implicações sociais, éticas e legais do Projeto Genoma Humano. Os benefícios desse megaprojeto, traduzidos em promessas de uma revolução terapêutica na medicina, não se realizarão sem conflitos. O processo de inovação tecnológica na genética traz problemas de ordens diversas: por um lado, pesquisas em consórcio, patenteamento de genes e produtos da genômica apontam interesses comerciais e dificuldades de gerenciamento dos resultados dessas pesquisas. Esses problemas colocam desafios em termos de uma possível desigualdade no acesso aos benefícios das pesquisas. Por outro lado, temos a questão da informação genética e da proteção de dados individuais sobre riscos e suscetibilidades a doenças e atributos humanos. O problema da definição de homens e mulheres em função de traços genéticos traz uma ameaça discriminatória clara, e se torna agudo em função do reducionismo genético que a mídia ajuda a propagar. As respostas a esses problemas não podem ser esperadas apenas da bioética. A abordagem bioética deve poder combinar-se a análises políticas da reprodução, da sexualidade, da saúde e da medicina. Um vastíssimo espectro de problemas como estes não pode ser discutido em profundidade em um artigo. Optou-se por mapeá-los no sentido de enfatizar em que medida, na reflexão sobre o projeto genoma, a genômica e a pós-genômica, enfrenta-se o desafio de articular aspectos tão diferenciados.This article presents an overview of the social, ethical, and legal implications of the Human Genome Project. The benefits of this mega-project, expressed as promises of a therapeutic revolution in medicine, will not be achieved without conflict. The process of technological innovation in genetics poses problems of various orders: on the one hand, consortium-based research, gene patenting, and genomic products tend to feature commercial interests and management of the results of such

Fluvial geomorphology: where do we go from here?

Science.gov (United States)

Smith, Derald G.

1993-07-01

scientists, because they are organized and successfully promote and sell a variety of global change research and other large-scale projects for major funding. Moreover, I see no end to their current success and future prospects as research councils and the public perceives continued deterioration of climate and ecosystems. Next, senior fluvial researchers must work more closely with junior researchers to instill collaborative attitudues, generate group synergism and to provide the inspiration to help "kick start" their careers so they can quickly reach critical momentum. Finally, we must embrace the model of success used by our colleagues in associated, more successful parts of the sciences. An issue we must debate now is whether our only hope is to climb onto the global change and sustainable development bandwagons or to evolve our own mega-projects and scientific agendas. Governments are financially constrained and future lean and competitive times are a certainty. The good old days are over; we are at a historical break point. University and government budget cuts are eliminating ever increasing numbers of geomorphology faculty and research positions. The discipline must take action or suffer the consequences. If we do nothing, the decision-making powers may reclassify the field as scientifically irrelevant. Our current situation will require more than repackaging of existing concepts, suggesting "band-aid" paradigms, and proposing "quick-fix" gimmicks. We must make some fundamental changes in the way we think and operate in order to develop a survival plan before it is too late. We must get together and talk about what kind of future we want and how to achieve it before geomorphology falls into a state of irreversible decay. This article is not about how wonderful the future will be. Its aim is to awaken fluvial geomorphologists from complacency so that they can take action and prepare for tough competitive times ahead. In the following paragraphs I outline some of my

Cosmic Humanity: Utopia, Realities, Prospects

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Sergey Krichevsky

2017-07-01

characteristics and tendencies of the development of the world cosmonaut community for 55 years of spaceflight, indicators of national competitions in selecting cosmonauts as indicators of the society’s attitude to cosmonautics and the cosmic future of humanity are given. The main results, consequences and prospects of spacewalk in the context of the evolution of technology, human and humanity, including the main potentialities, challenges and threats caused by technical development, the creation of a posthuman, etc., are considered. The description and analysis of the social mega-project of the new space state ASGARDIA, which is created since October 2016 and is the institutional basis of cosmic humanity, is given. In fact, it is a state for the future of cosmic humanity, which has already begun (itself to be organized on Earth. There is a process of transformation of the almost fantastic and superglobal utopia of the first in the history of the earthly civilization of the cosmic state of people — the “cosmic international” — into the reality of a fundamentally new social contract. The idea and the project of the space state is exactly what was lacking for the process of space expansion to go seriously: a new geocosmopolitan subject and an actor who is interested in space exploration (including resettlement in it in the long run as in its main goal and overarching goal, and Focused on this process. The first results of the project are encouraging. An interesting sociological model is being created, based on an analysis of the statistical relationships of the present earthly and promising cosmic humanity. The first, unique, but important and unique “cosmic referendum” on the Earth is being held. The characteristics of the state being created are shown, citizens of which expressed a desire to become about 600 thousand people from more than 200 states, of which over 170 thousand people are certified as citizens and the process continues. A “cosmic” coefficient was

Europe Unveils 20-Year Plan for Brilliant Future in Astronomy

Science.gov (United States)

2008-11-01

for Earth Sciences and Astronomy (INSU) of the CNRS. To build consensus on priorities in a very diverse community, the Science Vision and Roadmap were developed in an open process involving intensive interaction with the community through large open meetings and feedback via e-mail and the web. The result is a plan now backed by astronomers in 28 Member and Associated States of the EU, with over 500 million inhabitants. Over 60 selected experts from across Europe contributed to the construction of the ASTRONET Roadmap, ensuring that European astronomy has the tools to compete successfully in answering the challenges of the Science Vision. They identified and prioritised a set of new facilities to observe the Universe from radio waves to gamma rays, to open up new ways of probing the cosmos, such as gravitational waves, and to advance in the exploration of our Solar System. In the process, they considered all the elements needed by a successful scientific enterprise, from global-scale cooperation on the largest mega-project to the need for training and recruiting skilled young scientists and engineers. One of two top-priority large ground-based projects is ESO's European Extremely Large Telescope. Its 42-metre diameter mirror will make the E-ELT the largest optical/near-infrared telescope in the world -- "the biggest eye on the sky". The science to be done with the E-ELT is extremely exciting and includes studies of exoplanets and discs, galaxy formation and dark energy. ESO Director General Tim de Zeeuw says: "The top ranking of the E-ELT in the Roadmap is a strong endorsement from the European astronomical community. This flagship project will indisputably raise the European scientific, technological and industrial profile". Among other recommendations, the Roadmap considers how to maximise the future scientific impact of existing facilities in a cost-effective manner. It also identifies a need for better access to state-of-the art computing and laboratory facilities

BOOK REVIEW: Quantum Generations. A history of physics in the twentieth century

Science.gov (United States)

Brown, Neil

2000-03-01

project ever undertaken, is discussed. Since World War II support from governments for physics has increased enormously, but the fortunes of many physicists have remained entwined with the military establishment and many others now work within megaprojects such as CERN. At the end of the century the numbers of physicists and of papers published have grown a hundred-fold, and funding by an even larger factor. Other aspects have changed less. Physics is still male-dominated and largely a North American and European enterprise. Latterly there has been some reduction in support. Physics, along with the rest of science, has also been under attack for the problems it has created. The beginning of the twenty-first century promises to be as interesting for physics as recent decades have been. Comparison with the other recent work in this field, the three-volume Twentieth Century Physics edited by Laurie Brown, Abraham Pais and Brian Pippard (Institute of Physics Publishing and American Institute of Physics Press, 1995), is unavoidable. They fill different niches. Twentieth Century Physics is a massive and expensive work by some 30 leading physicists, destined mainly for the shelves of academic libraries. Quantum Generations is a book by a professional historian covering much of the same physics, albeit more briefly, but written with a broader sweep that takes in more of the political and cultural milieu within which the physicists worked. References are given sparingly so as not to break up the text, but there are suggestions for further reading for each chapter, and there is an extensive bibliography. It is not a book for those with no background at all in physics - there are too many equations of nuclear reactions for that, and in any case such a book would be a superficial thing. Even many physicists will find some of the more esoteric ideas, such as the grand unified theories and superstring theory, heavy going. It is, however, accessible to a wide readership, and a book that

EDITORIAL: Siberia Integrated Regional Study: multidisciplinary investigations of the dynamic relationship between the Siberian environment and global climate change

Science.gov (United States)

Gordov, E. P.; Vaganov, E. A.

2010-03-01

This is an editorial overview of the Siberia Integrated Regional Study (SIRS), which is a large-scale investigation of ongoing and future environmental change in Siberia and its relationship to global processes, approaches, existing challenges and future direction. Introduction The SIRS is a mega-project within the Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative (NEESPI), which coordinates interdisciplinary, national and international activities in Northern Eurasia that follow the Earth System Science Program (ESSP) approach. Under the direction of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP), SIRS is one of the Integrated Regional Studies (IRS) that aims to investigate environmental change in Siberia under the current environment of global change, and the potential impact on Earth system dynamics [1]. The regions of interest are those that may function as 'choke or switch points' for the global Earth system, where changes in regional biophysical, biogeochemical and anthropogenic components may have significant consequences for the Earth system at the global scale. Siberia is a large and significant region that may compel change [2]. Regional consequences of global warming (e.g. anomalous increases in cold season temperatures) have already been documented for Siberia [3]. This result is also supported by climate modeling results for the 20th-22nd centuries [4]. Future climatic change threatens Siberia with the shift of permafrost boundaries northward, dramatic changes in land cover (redistribution among boreal forest, wetlands, tundra, and steppe zones often precipitated by fire regime change) and the entire hydrological regime of the territory [5-8]. These processes feed back to and influence climate dynamics through the exchange of energy, water, greenhouse gases and aerosols [9]. Even though there have been a handful of national and international projects focused on the Siberian environment, scientists have minimal knowledge about the processes