Universität zu Köln

Fellbrich, Johanna ORCID: 0000-0002-8841-8334, Sielker, Franziska ORCID: 0000-0001-6391-983X, Phelps, Nicholas ORCID: 0000-0001-8407-9788 and Dannenberg, Peter ORCID: 0000-0002-4159-6635 (2025). Wind of change: shifting narratives on China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Duisburg and Germany. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society, 18 (2). pp. 403-418. Oxford University Press. ISSN 1752-1378

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Abstract

Global networks of megaprojects like China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) face growing geopolitical challenges that shape their success or failure. This paper investigates how the BRI’s symbolic value has transitioned from economic hope to strategic concern, driven by evolving geoeconomic and geopolitical narratives. Focusing on Duisburg and Germany the study employs the frameworks of symbolic economy and symbolic policy to unravel the complex, multi-scalar interactions within these intertwined netscapes. The findings reveal that traditional success and failure metrics, typically centred on economic and operational outcomes, are insufficient. Instead, the study underscores the importance of symbolic factors (e.g. image creation, the alignment with broader political/economic agendas) in determining the long-term viability and perception of megaprojects in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Fellbrich, Johanna UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8841-8334 UNSPECIFIED Sielker, Franziska UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6391-983X UNSPECIFIED Phelps, Nicholas UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8407-9788 UNSPECIFIED Dannenberg, Peter UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4159-6635 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-811256
Identification Number:	10.1093/cjres/rsaf006
Journal or Publication Title:	Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society
Volume:	18
Number:	2
Page Range:	pp. 403-418
Number of Pages:	16
Date:	23 June 2025
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISSN:	1752-1378
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Geosciences > Geographisches Institut
Subjects:	Earth sciences Geography and travel
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language BRI ; megaprojects ; narratives ; symbolic value ; geopolitics English
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/81125