Sustainable Planning of Megaprojects in the Circumpolar North

Broadening the horizon, gaining insight empowering local stakeholders

Publication: Report
Citation: Jóhannesson, Hjalti; Colette de Roo and Zoë Robaey. 2011. "Sustainable Planning of Megaprojects in the Circumpolar North - broadening the horizon, gaining insight empowering local stakeholders". Project Report. University of Akureyri Research Centre, Akureyri.

Assessing the sustainable development of megaprojects in the Circumpolar North involves looking at socio-economic and environmental impacts, while studying the processes that enable citizen participation. Two megaprojects in Iceland and Canada are evaluated through these lenses, and lessons learned are derived for the sustainable planning of future megaprojects. The publication is available online.

"Mega-project planning in the Circumpolar North - broadening the horizon, gaining insight, empowering local stakeholders" is a publication which aimed at assessing the planning processes of Arctic mega-projects in the light of sustainable development, commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers. The project compares two case studies: the construction of Kárahnjúkar hydro project and an Alcoa aluminium smelter in East Iceland and the development of the Kearl Oil Sands near Wood Buffalo, in Alberta, Canada. The comparison investigates the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of mega-projects in the Circumpolar North, as well as participation in the planning process. The authors derive insights and lessons learnt as regards sustainable planning of mega-projects for the benefit of decision-makers and the general public. The report can be downloaded.

Language: English
Authorship: Zoë Robaey

ir. Colette de Roo

Hjalti Jóhannesson
Year: 2011
Dimension: 83 pp.
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

Acknowledgements

    Summary
    Introduction
        Structure of this report
        The two case study regions, their local particularities and regional similarities
        Northern Alberta, Canada - Kearl Oil Sands
        Eastern Iceland - Alcoa aluminium smelter and Kárahnjúkar hydro power project
        Introduction to the two case studies and a summary of their specific methodology
        Kearl Oil Sands
        Alcoa aluminium smelter and Kárahnjúkar hydro power project
    Thematic synthesis of Megaprojects in the North
        Socio-economic impacts
        Kearl oil sands
        Alcoa aluminium smelter and Kárahnjúkar hydro power project
        Main similarities and differences - socio-economic impacts
        Participation in the planning process
        Kearl Oil Sands
        Alcoa aluminium smelter and Kárahnjúkar hydro power project
        Main similarities and differences – participation in the planning process
    Lessons learned
    Broadening the local view on Circumpolar Megaprojects
        Objective
        Method
        Sources and material
        Outreach – impressions
    References
    Ilustrations, maps and other web sources
    Appendix II – Main Actors in the Kearl Oil Sands controversy
    Appendix III - Infosheets as they are available via the web tool "Megaproject Universe"
Keywords: Arctic

megaproject, oil sands, hydro, Kárahnjúkar, Kearl, aluminium, local, communities, participation

Further Links

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