10.2. Decide–announce–defend strategy (Majoor, 2014

10.2. Decide–announce–defend strategy (Majoor, 2014)

“The Decide – Announce- Defend method is often used in response to emergency situations, since decisions are generated through a hierarchy and do not require consensus. In general, the top of this chain of command is occupied by a group of experts who base their decision on scientific or technical analysis” (Fletcher, 2017) This strategy highlighted by Stan Majoor evokes how Ørestad decided to control its progress. Through this strategy it demonstrates that during the decision phase of the project the ODC carry out several public consultations in order to evolve the project in the best way, as well as the Nantes with the guide plan. But where a crucial difference remains, it is in the strategy that was undertaken after the first major decision of the projects by setting the broad lines. This first part corresponds to the decision making of the project. Many architects and town planners had, in their minds, created a city model that was to be infallible. This strategy, despite all the possible disputes and best ideas, allow the realization of its project as soon as possible according to the original plans. Then comes the moment of the announcement and it is here that Ørestad attaches itself directly to a position of defence. Blocking any possibility of change during the evolution of the project and defending it against any organisation. On the contrary, Nantes, as previously mentioned, decided to change its project alongside its citizens. This defensive strategy which consisted in to reject any changes or new ideas to the project did not prove to be paying for the project and in addition, it annoyed several civic organizations. This system prevented the project to face to the difficulties that it met and reacting quickly and counterbalance these weaknesses. Today experts agree that every project of this size must be followed by a citizen consultation during its implementation and be flexible to change the parameters, it is the biggest difficulty on megaprojects.