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Catwalking a Bridge : A Longitudinal Study of a Transnational Megaproject

Löfgren, Orvar LU (2015) 30. p.33-68
Abstract
Transnational bridges are a special kind of mega-project with strong symbolic power and a complex set of stakeholders. The long Oresund bridge is a good example of this. It links the cities of Malmoe, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark and was opened in 2000. I will use the bridge construction to demonstrate the ways in which a mega-construction project does symbolic and ritual work during the long planning stage, the actual construction years, the grand opening ceremonies as well as in its later life as an everyday transport mechanism. The bridge was built not only by engineers but also by event managers, media consultants and brand builders. It was a project not only of transport logistics but also of urban development and aimed to... (More)
Transnational bridges are a special kind of mega-project with strong symbolic power and a complex set of stakeholders. The long Oresund bridge is a good example of this. It links the cities of Malmoe, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark and was opened in 2000. I will use the bridge construction to demonstrate the ways in which a mega-construction project does symbolic and ritual work during the long planning stage, the actual construction years, the grand opening ceremonies as well as in its later life as an everyday transport mechanism. The bridge was built not only by engineers but also by event managers, media consultants and brand builders. It was a project not only of transport logistics but also of urban development and aimed to facilitate political, economic and cultural integration across a national border – the making of a transnational metropolis.

The interdisciplinary study of the bridge is a longitudinal one, which makes it possible to explore how changing economic and political climates affect a mega-project and what happens when visions and great expectations are confronted with everyday realities at different stages. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Inside Megaprojects : Understanding Cultural Practices in Project Management
editor
Van Marrewijk, Alfons H
volume
30
pages
33 - 68
publisher
Copenhagen Business School Press
ISBN
9788763003445
8763003449
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
33aadce3-eb1c-4b1b-94c1-308df5dbf3ff (old id 8499686)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 10:36:22
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:59:44
@inbook{33aadce3-eb1c-4b1b-94c1-308df5dbf3ff,
  abstract     = {{Transnational bridges are a special kind of mega-project with strong symbolic power and a complex set of stakeholders. The long Oresund bridge is a good example of this. It links the cities of Malmoe, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark and was opened in 2000. I will use the bridge construction to demonstrate the ways in which a mega-construction project does symbolic and ritual work during the long planning stage, the actual construction years, the grand opening ceremonies as well as in its later life as an everyday transport mechanism. The bridge was built not only by engineers but also by event managers, media consultants and brand builders. It was a project not only of transport logistics but also of urban development and aimed to facilitate political, economic and cultural integration across a national border – the making of a transnational metropolis.<br/><br>
	The interdisciplinary study of the bridge is a longitudinal one, which makes it possible to explore how changing economic and political climates affect a mega-project and what happens when visions and great expectations are confronted with everyday realities at different stages.}},
  author       = {{Löfgren, Orvar}},
  booktitle    = {{Inside Megaprojects : Understanding Cultural Practices in Project Management}},
  editor       = {{Van Marrewijk, Alfons H}},
  isbn         = {{9788763003445}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{33--68}},
  publisher    = {{Copenhagen Business School Press}},
  title        = {{Catwalking a Bridge : A Longitudinal Study of a Transnational Megaproject}},
  volume       = {{30}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}