lobal super projects are defined as those that cost at least US$1 billion, or that involve technological breakthroughs of global significance. We have identified more than 2,000 such projects in various stages of planning and implementation.
Above: Ataturk Dam is the centerpiece of the giant $32 billion Southeastern Anatolia Project, which will double Turkey’s electricity capacity and provide irrigation for 4.2 million acres of land.
It is estimated that total spending for super projects is approximately $1 trillion per year. This involves more than 500 active projects averaging almost $2 billion each.
While most of the people of the world are unaware of the scope of this activity, the impact is enormous. These are ventures conceived, planned, and implemented by some of the world’s most thoughtful, creative and responsible people. The ultimate result is improvement of the quality of life of millions of people.
For those in economic development, this program constitutes the greatest opportunity in history. For project sponsors — governments, semi-public bodies, and private consortia — it opens vast new opportunities for generating economic growth. Every new power plant, airport, rail link, or industrial complex serves as a multiplier to attract other investment and create more jobs.
For architects, engineers, contractors and other service providers, the program brings the kind of opportunities they usually dream about. Sharing these new opportunities with the large global construction firms are the teams they assemble to build super projects, as well as thousands of sub-contractors and suppliers.
One of the most significant changes taking place in the business world is the emergence of infrastructure projects as profit centers. Civic elements once regarded as inherent cost items are being converted to income producers. This is already true of many major airports, container ports, power plants and communications centers. There is a worldwide trend toward privatization.
Other services will soon follow. Water systems, railroads, and key highways will increasingly be funded and operated privately. The related opportunities are enormous.
The group that may have the most to gain — or lose — from this massive development program is the group of facility planners for corporations operating globally. Alert executives who keep informed may discover important new competitive advantages. Those who are asleep may face a rude awakening.
The new super projects are changing the shape of the business world. A plant location decision made on the basis of old information may be embarrassing or even fatal. Real estate managers be warned!
A quick scan of current activity will suffice to show the scope and variety of new opportunities:
