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Rationalities and materialities of light rail scapes

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  • Olesen, Mette
  • Lassen, Claus

Abstract

Light rail is a modernisation of old tram systems and a popular tool in urban development strategies throughout many European cities. Light rails continue to be built despite often having poor socio-economic returns — other similar modes could provide the same transport function at a lower cost. Through a case study, this article explores the main vision and rationalities behind light rail projects in two mid-sized European cities — Bergen and Angers — and considers how this vision has materialised in various ‘light rail scapes’. The article argues that the city shapes the light rail project, but also that the light rail re-configures and shapes the urban structures, design and planning practices within the city based on its materiality and spatial interaction with it. This means that light rail projects need to be rethought as complex urban development projects instead of just simple ‘pieces of infrastructure’. Ultimately, this work seeks to shed light on a number of ideas for future light rail research and practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Olesen, Mette & Lassen, Claus, 2016. "Rationalities and materialities of light rail scapes," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 373-382.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jotrge:v:54:y:2016:i:c:p:373-382
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.04.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jackson Sekasi & Mauro Luiz Martens, 2021. "Assessing the Contributions of Urban Light Rail Transit to the Sustainable Development of Addis Ababa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-22, May.
    2. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Yazdi, Asieh Haieri, 2019. "Technological frames and the politics of automated electric Light Rail Rapid Transit in Poland and the United Kingdom," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    3. Hrelja, Robert, 2019. "Cars. Problematisations, measures and blind spots in local transport and land use policy," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    4. Kristian Olesen, 2020. "Infrastructure imaginaries: The politics of light rail projects in the age of neoliberalism," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 57(9), pages 1811-1826, July.
    5. Turnheim, Bruno & Geels, Frank W., 2019. "Incumbent actors, guided search paths, and landmark projects in infra-system transitions: Re-thinking Strategic Niche Management with a case study of French tramway diffusion (1971–2016)," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(6), pages 1412-1428.
    6. Boquet Yves, 2017. "The renaissance of tramways and urban redevelopment in France," Miscellanea Geographica. Regional Studies on Development, Sciendo, vol. 21(1), pages 5-18, March.

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