Seminar Managing the global megaproject: The design, development, and dispute of Barangaroo, Sydney
Abstract: Barangaroo, a 22-hectare waterfront redevelopment precinct in Sydney, is emerging as a new icon of the city and the nation. As the last and largest redevelopment project of global significance in a major Australian city, Barangaroo is reshaping the Sydney CBD—the prime engine of the national economy and a strategic node of the global economy. However, the project’s journey has been fluctuated with complexities, changes, and conflicts. In this talk, I will trace the two-decade-long evolution of Barangaroo, revealing how a redevelopment project has become a battleground of competing interests—involving power, politics, and multiple stakeholders—and how these factors have impacted its process, delivery, and outcomes. Drawing from the Barangaroo experience, I will highlight critical lessons for megaproject management, particularly in strategic planning and balancing public and private interests. Bio: Professor Richard Hu is an urban planner and a megaproject manager. His practice, research, and consultancy are diverse and international. He has collaborated with three tiers of Australian government and the World Bank on urban development issues. He is the co-author of Crafting Innovative Places for Australia’s Knowledge Economy and his forthcoming book is The Australian City.
