Megaprojects

What was one of the most notorious issues with the Big Dig in Boston, USA?

• It was abandoned due to environmental protests

• It was completed under budget and ahead of schedule

• It suffered from massive cost overruns and safety issues including tunnel leaks and ceiling collapses

• It was successfully turned into a pedestrian park

Which megaproject struggled due to the massive resettlement of over a million people and environmental consequences?

• NEOM

• Khazar Islands

• Three Gorges Dam

• Hong Kong-Zhuhai Bridge

What was a major criticism of the Channel Tunnel (Chunnel) project?

• It failed to connect the UK and France

• It bankrupted the British government

• Construction delays and maintenance costs exceeded expectations

• It was only used for freight transport

Why did Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka become a case study in "debt-trap diplomacy"?

• It was funded by private investors who withdrew

• It was handed over to a foreign country due to inability to repay loans

• It was destroyed in a civil war

• It never received environmental clearance

What is one reason the California High-Speed Rail project faced severe delays and criticism?

• The trains could not meet high-speed standards

• Political infighting and land acquisition problems

• Environmentalists fully supported it

• The project was finished within five years

What is a major point of contention around NEOM, the planned futuristic city in Saudi Arabia?

• It was completed within budget

• It has no impact on the environment

• It involves displacement of indigenous tribes and faces feasibility concerns

• It was built on floating platforms

What was one of the major criticisms of Sejong City in South Korea?

• It successfully decentralized the government and population evenly

• It became a major tech hub within five years

• It lacked sufficient appeal for relocation and suffered from underutilization

• It was abandoned due to war

Which of the following best describes the primary issue with the Khazar Islands project in Azerbaijan?

• Geological instability in the Caspian Sea

• Real estate speculation built on unrealistic economic projections

• Strong opposition from environmental groups

• International sanctions blocked construction materials

The Channel Tunnel (Chunnel) connected the UK and France, but one major financial consequence was:

• The UK government defaulted on its loan

• The private investors suffered massive losses and had to restructure debt

• It never opened due to engineering flaws

• It was taken over by NATO

NEOM has received international attention and criticism for:

• Its location on disputed land with Iran

• Overreliance on renewable energy

• Displacing local tribes and raising ethical and environmental concerns

• Its opposition to AI technology