Advantages and disadvantages of top-down development projects

Advantages:

• Benefit large communities
• Provide many jobs for the local communities
• Other industries and services can often benefit, boosting local business (multiplier effect)

Disadvantages:

• Locals have little say on projects, as decisions made by governments
• Schemes can be very expensive, which might require further money borrowing
• Machinery and high-tech solutions are usually used, reducing the jobs available
• Sometimes projects are left unfinished as the government runs out of money