Territorial governance and transnational mega-projects: speed, scale, and collective learning

In recent decades, large numbers of urban mega-projects have been completed in the West as well as many emerging countries. In particular, cities in East and South-East Asia, and the Middle East have witnessed countless projects meant to represent them on the international scene. These projects use ideas, models, expertise, and technologies that circulate internationally and adapt locally. Against this backdrop, the chapter discusses the urban governance of these projects, showing the different roles of international corporations that provide planning and design expertise and solutions, national and regional governments using mega-projects to assert their importance, and city-level coalitions streamlining resources through these projects. In particular, the chapter discusses how learning processes are enhanced or impaired by transnational mega-projects and under what local conditions. Mega-projects' speed and scale are key within different institutional and political settings to highlight collective learning opportunities.