Taoyuan Aerotropolis

Taoyuan Aerotropolis

Taoyuan Aerotropolis is a planned large urban planning development at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan City, Taiwan. It would be funded by the Taiwan city government. The development requires a total of 3,200 hectares land acquisition and over 40,000 people have to be relocated. Once the Aerotropolis has been completed, the Taoyuan International Airport will be expanded to 1,800 hectares from the current 1,200 hectares, and the third runway will also be built.

“Taoyuan is already a well-positioned hub for international trade and manufacturing, with the existing Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei Port connected locally via a comprehensive network of highways, railways and Mass Rapid Transit. The project is a cornerstone in the government’s ‘i-Taiwan 12 Projects’ blueprint for economic development” (KPMG).

(Image credits: Taipei-Airport)

Expansion of Stockholm Metro

Expansion of Stockholm Metro

Stockholm is one of the most developed cities in the world. It is always trying to adapt itself into becoming a better city: a sustainable city. As with other cities, mass transit is an important pre-requisite for that. And, Stockholm is trying to expand its metro which was established in 1950. Expected to be completed in 2025, the expansion would add nearly twenty kilometers of new track and nine new stations on four sections.  

There are multiple reasons for this expansion: growing population to 2.6 million by 2030, the current metro is running at full capacity, the need to create a transit network for 78,000 new homes and a desire to connect the citizens in an integrated manner better. “Funding will come via contributions from the various public authorities involved, along with an increase in vehicle congestion tax and the sale‑of land to home-builders” (KPMG).

A picture of current Stockholm Metro 

(Image credits: Wikipedia)

Américo Vespucio Oriente Highway

Américo Vespucio Oriente Highway

Chile is a South American country trying to escape from its poor economic conditions. For any country to do that, it needs to have stable economic infrastructure. The construction of the Américo Vespucio east highway is a step towards that.

“The Américo Vespucio Oriente Highway in Chile is a 13 kilometer underground tolled motorway procured through a PPP. The project has been in development for nearly 10 years and is designed to address traffic congestion problems in the capital city of Santiago – reducing journey times between El Salto and Avenida Francisco Bilbao from 60 minutes to eight. If it succeeds, the judges said this would be a remarkable improvement to urban mobility. A consortium formed by OHL Concesiones and Sacyr Concesiones Chile was named preferred bidder in January 2014. Part of the tunnel will be bored and part will be cut-and-cover” (KPMG).

At present, construction has been delayed multiple times. The first phase would not be ready until 2021. Hopefully, when the highway is functional it brings some respite to Chile.