Abstracts – Browse Results

Search or browse again.

Click on the titles below to expand the information about each abstract.
Viewing 9 results ...

Becerik, B (2006) Implementation and value of online collaboration and project management systems in design and construction, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Harvard University.

Hou, J-H (2006) Object modeling and proper abstractions: The case of stair design, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Harvard University.

Huang, K-S (2003) Development-related BOT: A lesson of under-utilized and over-utilized development synergy in Taiwan, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Harvard University.

  • Type: Thesis
  • Keywords: failure; ownership; private sector; uncertainty; urban design; developing countries; financing; integration; investment; land use; policy; privatization; project finance; regulation; Taiwan; case study; government; infrastructure project; owner
  • ISBN/ISSN:
  • URL: https://www.proquest.com/docview/305334218
  • Abstract:
    Privatization is a global trend. BOT (Build, Operate, Transfer), as a model of privatization, has become a feasible solution for developing countries with financial constraints to meet political, economic and financial objectives. Development-related BOT, which relies on development synergy for financing, as a special form of BOT was undertaken by Asian developing countries where property ownership was treated as high value for the society. A well-organized Development-related BOT project is expected to further reduce the government's financial burden and achieve both land-use planning and transportation provision objectives. However, the approach also requires extensive integration of physical, financial and regulatory issues. An immature Development-related BOT project may inversely lead to cost and damages far beyond expectation. This study addresses the Development-related BOT project as a comprehensive Urban Design challenge. A successful Development-Related BOT project must integrate physical land-use and transit planning while taking into consideration the financial and regulatory implications to ensure reasonable private returns and safeguard the public purpose. The thesis will draw attention to the fields of Urban Planning/Design, Finance and Regulation in further pursuing coordination/integration when undertaking Development-Related BOT. Four cases ranging from public-build to private-initiated infrastructure projects in Taiwan are selected to illustrate the integrative issues. The privatization effort in Taiwan started with a simple Joint Development arrangement and moved aggressively from Development-Related BOT to the more ambitious Development-Based BOT in a short period of time. The government in Taiwan intended to retreat from physical planning responsibilities and direct financial involvement while moving from a passive to active position in regulatory support. However, according to the analysis of the case studies, the lack of integration in physical visions and financial/regulatory mechanisms has resulted in either under-utilization or over-utilization of development synergy. Major findings and lessons from the cases are the following: (1) The lack of Urban Design approach in integrating Vision (Physical) and Mechanism (Financial and Regulatory) has resulted in either under-utilization or over-utilization of development synergy. (2) The public-led projects tended to under-utilize the potential synergy and increase financial burden of the government, while the private-initiated projects resulted in synergy over-utilization and led to project failure. (3) The difference in synergy expectation and implementation created a financing gap, increased the financial risk and resulted in an unanticipated crisis. (4) The “bundling” approach in financing, created double-layered project finance and possibly turned the synergy expectation into a double-edged sword that resulted in project failure. (5) The project failure of a Development-Related BOT may incur consequences far beyond transportation system provision. In responding to the above findings and lessons, related mitigation measures are recommended in this study. It is expected that the government, private investor and the general public will all benefit from this study. A well-structured Development-Related BOT will help the government to implement transportation and land-use policy with less financial burden and policy risk. The private sector will engage in less uncertainty and financial risk while pursuing a reasonable return on the investment. The general public will benefit from better-integrated land-use and transportation planning and incur less tax burden for providing public facilities. The lessons learned from implementation experiences in Taiwan may also apply to other Asian developing countries with high expectation for development synergy while the financial instruments and regulatory structure are less mature in supporting physical planning visions in realizing the anticipated beneficial synergy.

Kim, S (1997) Version management in computer-aided architectural design, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Harvard University.

Quinn, J T (1991) Analysis of optimal and nearly optimal plans for multipurpose river projects, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Harvard University.

Ruhl, V R (1997) Computer-aided design and manufacturing of complex-shaped concrete formwork, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Harvard University.

Schropfer, T (2004) Relational geographies of building practice: An analytic framework, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Harvard University.

Sparer, E H (2015) Improving health and safety in construction: The intersection of programs and policies, work organization, and safety climate, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Harvard University.

Vasserman, S (2019) Essays on industrial organization, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , Harvard University.