Truth and Lies about Megaprojects

In what follows I will: (1) Argue that a major problem in megaproject policy and planning is the high level of misinformation about costs and benefits that decision makers face in deciding whether to build, and the high risks such misinformation generates; (2) Explore the causes of misinformation and risk, mainly in the guise of optimism bias and strategic misrepresentation; (3) Present measures aimed at better policy and planning, including changed governance structures and better planning methods; and (4) Identify the most promising areas for further research, especially as they pertain to the Dutch situation and the Chair in Infrastructure Policy and Planning at Delft University of Technology.

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