The Victorian London sanitation projects and the sanitation of projects

The paper reports upon an analysis of a programme of 19th century large-scale and complex construction projects initiated in order to improve sanitation in London. These projects managed by Sir Joseph William Bazalgette included the construction of the Main Drainage and the Thames Embankment and were facilitated through significant levels of government support, legislation and public funding, requiring the interaction of social, technical, political and environmental processes. They exhibited innovative forms of construction, estimating, partnership working and contracting. Two major conclusions may be drawn. Firstly, these successful projects and the work of Bazalgette and colleagues merit greater recognition in expanded accounts of project history. Secondly, there are real dangers in forgetting the prehistory of project management, a time when major projects were distrusted and perceived as invariably failing.