Prof. Manuel Melis and the Madrid Metro
Prof. Manuel Melis Maynar, the visionary lead engineer behind the Madrid Metro, achieved an extraordinary feat of planning and construction. Creating a 120km system across Madrid in just five years, Maynar's unwavering dedication and strategic prowess ensured seamless integration with existing infrastructure. In comparison to the Elizabeth Line was built with 21km worth of tunnel, the Madrid Metro was completed in less time, showcasing Maynar's ability to overcome challenges and maintain exceptional quality. Today, the Madrid Metro stands as a testament to Maynar's enduring legacy, transforming transportation in the city and inspiring future generations in urban planning.
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In a manner reminiscent of Dublin, Madrid boasts its own orbital motorway, the M30. Initially constructed as a surface-level ring road, certain sections of the M30 contributed to a bustling and chaotic atmosphere within certain parts of the city. Recognising the potential for transformation, Melis undertook a groundbreaking endeavor: he ingeniously decided to submerge large portions of the M30, revolutionising Madrid's landscape and paving the way for a harmonious coexistence between pedestrians and the vital flow of vehicular traffic. This visionary approach yielded immense pedestrian walkways and expansive parks, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life for the people of Madrid.
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Melis and his exceptional team orchestrated a complete transformation of Madrid, yielding profound improvements in various aspects of the city. Their efforts not only revitalised the struggling economy, propelling Madrid to become the third strongest economy in Europe, closely following the likes of Paris and London, but also led to an unprecedented leap in the quality of life experienced by its residents. This transformative period brought about levels of prosperity and livability never before seen in Madrid, positioning the city as a shining example of successful urban rejuvenation under Melis' visionary leadership.
Metro Dublin Mentor
Manuel Melis has been like a wise teacher for the Metro Dublin project. He knows a lot about planning transportation and building things like roads and train systems. Melis has been very helpful by giving important advice and support to the Metro Dublin project. His guidance has been crucial in deciding how the project should look and what it should do.
He knows a lot about how transportation projects work and has helped the Metro Dublin team make good choices when they faced difficult problems. Melis has also encouraged the team to work together and share their knowledge, which has helped them come up with new and smart ideas. Overall, Melis has been a great mentor in setting the ground work for Metro Dublin. |
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Professor Bent Flyvbjerg wholeheartedly supports Manuel Melis in his ability to defy the 'Flyvbjerg Iron Law of Mega Projects'—the tendency for projects to exceed budget and timeline. In fact, Flyvbjerg includes lectures on Melis' techniques as part of his course at Oxford University. Prof. Flyvbjerg expressed to Metro Dublin that he firmly believes World Bank loans for large infrastructure projects should only be granted under the condition that Pro. Melis' construction, procurement, and implementation methods are utilised.
In September 2018, with the kind assistance of the late Senator Feargal Quinn, Prof. Melis accompanied us in a meeting with Minister for Transport Shane Ross. During the meeting, Prof. Melis eloquently presented the feasibility of his methods, demonstrating how they can be successfully implemented in Dublin. By following the advice of Professor Manuel Melis Maynars, we can replicate the successful delivery of the metro system with similar timelines, costs, and effective risk management as achieved in Madrid. Melis accomplished his remarkable procurement and implementation strategy not by reducing labor and material costs, but by redefining the parameters within contracts, a concept easily adaptable to standard Irish contracts. This approach ensured the highest safety standards, accelerated completion, effective risk management, and eliminated the need for litigation. Melis's focus on solutions rather than problems allowed for the simultaneous completion of multiple lines within a three-year timeframe, resulting in substantial reductions in machinery costs, disruptions, overhead expenses, and more.
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