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Sustainability Challenges of High-Speed Railway Megaprojects from a Systems Thinking Lens

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Complexity and Sustainability in Megaprojects (MERIT 2022)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering ((LNCE,volume 342))

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Abstract

Megaprojects are intended to generate positive impacts for society at regional, national, or international levels. However, the potential unintended consequences associated with the activities in various stages of the megaprojects’ lifecycle, such as air pollution, waste generation, and social challenges, can adversely affect the sustainability of these projects. In this article, based on a systems thinking approach, a causal-loop diagram is developed to address the sustainability challenges of high-speed railway megaprojects. The two stages of construction and operation of the project have been considered and the effects of relevant variables on the three pillars of sustainability are discussed. The analysis and provided insights shed light on the significance of considering both short-term and long-term effects of the activities directly or indirectly linked with megaprojects and confirm systems thinking as an appropriate approach to analyze the sustainability issues of these projects.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This effect is noteworthy especially for small towns (e.g. in mountain or rural territories). The same is not necessarily true by considering large cities or metropolitan areas.

  2. 2.

    This can also refer to temporary events such as popular festivals.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Management, University of Turin, Corso Unione Sovietica, 218 Bis, 10134, Torino, Italy

    Zahra Shams Esfandabadi, Dario Cottafava, Laura Corazza & Simone Domenico Scagnelli

  2. School of Business and Law, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Dr, Joondalup, 6027, Australia

    Simone Domenico Scagnelli

Authors
  1. Zahra Shams Esfandabadi
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  2. Dario Cottafava
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  3. Laura Corazza
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  4. Simone Domenico Scagnelli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zahra Shams Esfandabadi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. DIG, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy

    Edoardo Favari

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze economiche e sociali, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy

    Franca Cantoni

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Shams Esfandabadi, Z., Cottafava, D., Corazza, L., Scagnelli, S.D. (2023). Sustainability Challenges of High-Speed Railway Megaprojects from a Systems Thinking Lens. In: Favari, E., Cantoni, F. (eds) Complexity and Sustainability in Megaprojects. MERIT 2022. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 342. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-30879-6_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-30879-6_24

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