The Impact of Mega-infrastructure Projects on Urban Development-Boston and the Messina Straits

The hypothesis of our research project in comparative urban development is that while large infrastructure projects impact the local economy, labour markets and the environment, the interactive response and linkages of the players may cancel benefits when project development and implementation are done without a proper planning framework. Empirically we consider the impact of the implementation of the artery-tunnel project in Boston, Massachusetts, USA and the proposed fixed link over the Straits of Messina, Italy (the metropolitan area of Messina and Reggio Calabria). While the two areas vary in population, income and existing infrastructure, the impacts are similar in kind and are proportional in the same direction. The distortions derived from the lack of overall urban economic and physical planning are evident from the review of abundant partial studies, some rich in analytical content, but disconnected with the events in impacted space. Growing environmental issues, as well as economic change, call for regional, comprehensive, consistent, long-sighted public planning.