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A master's thesis from Aalborg University
Book cover


The Femern Belt Fixed Link: Mega Construction and its Social Impacts.

Authors

; ;

Term

4. term

Education

Publication year

2022

Submitted on

Pages

98

Abstract

Større infrastrukturprojekter kan være både forudsætning for og motor i udvikling. Nogle initiativer giver direkte økonomisk afkast, men alle bør levere ikke-økonomiske gevinster og bred samfundsnytte. I afhandlingen forstås sociale virkninger som de samfundsmæssige resultater af beslutninger og aktiviteter, der skaber udvikling. Sådanne sociale omkostninger og gevinster er vanskelige at forudse og måle og vurderes forskelligt af myndigheder, beslutningstagere og projektudviklere. Studiet undersøger, hvordan tiltag omkring Femern Bælt-forbindelsen relateret til mobilitet påvirker lokalsamfundet i Rødby og Rødbyhavn. Der er indsamlet data gennem semistrukturerede interviews med en kvalitativ, induktiv tilgang, gennemført både ved personlige møder og via digitale platforme. Interviewene tegner et billede af forbindelsen som et nyskabende, langsigtet bindeled mellem Skandinavien og Centraleuropa. Deltagerne forventer mange positive ændringer i området, herunder bedre mobilitet, mere turisme, øget erhvervs- og økonomisk aktivitet og nye jobmuligheder. Selvom mulige ulemper anerkendes, er den overordnede holdning forsigtig optimisme om, at infrastrukturen kan understøtte lokal udvikling ud over de rent økonomiske effekter.

Large infrastructure projects can be both a prerequisite for and a driver of development. A few initiatives deliver a clear financial return, but all should provide non-economic gains and broader public value. In this thesis, social impacts are understood as the societal outcomes of decisions and activities that lead to development. These social costs and benefits are hard to predict and measure, and they are viewed differently by authorities, decision makers, and project developers. This study examines how initiatives related to the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link and mobility affect the communities of Rødby and Rødbyhavn. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews using a qualitative, inductive approach, conducted both in person and via digital platforms. The interviews portray the link as an innovative, long-term connection between Scandinavia and Central Europe. Participants expect many positive changes in the surrounding area, including improved mobility, more tourism, increased commercial and economic activity, and new employment opportunities. While possible downsides are acknowledged, the overall sentiment is cautiously optimistic that the infrastructure can support local development beyond purely economic returns.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]