Line J - A Case Study of Mobilities in Medellin
Translated title
Line J - A Case Study of Mobilities in Medellin: A Case Study of Mobilities in Medellin
Author
Funck, Rune Riisberg
Term
4. term
Education
Publication year
2020
Submitted on
2020-03-02
Pages
212
Abstract
This thesis examines the experienced impact of Medellín’s metro-cable Line J along its route through the lens of the mobilities turn. The study combines an anthropological field study of mobilities, visual ethnography, semi-structured qualitative interviews with travelers and experts, and a questionnaire. The analysis is organized around five lenses: ‘other’ materialities, critical points of contact, motility, gentrification/displacement, and new military urbanism. Findings show that passengers report feelings of insecurity and discomfort linked to cabin materialities, including the absence of seatbelts, limited fresh air, and fear of falling. Critical points of contact arise from low capacity, peak-hour congestion, and waiting times for connections. At the same time, Line J has enhanced residents’ motility by improving access to topographically isolated neighborhoods, to workplaces, and for travelers with disabilities. Around stations, housing and rental prices have increased, forcing some residents to move. Finally, the study identifies extensive surveillance and communicative linkages between stations and military installations as part of a quieter form of military urbanism; security has improved, and many residents associate Line J with more peaceful times. Overall, the case shows that Line J simultaneously enhances accessibility and perceived safety while introducing new frictions and socio-spatial pressures.
Dette speciale undersøger den oplevede betydning af Medellíns metrocable Line J langs dens rute med udgangspunkt i mobilities-turnen. Undersøgelsen bygger på et antropologisk feltstudie af mobilitet, visuel etnografi, semistrukturerede kvalitative interviews med rejsende og eksperter samt et spørgeskema. Analysen er struktureret i fem perspektiver: ‘andre’ materialiteter, kritiske kontaktpunkter, motilitet, gentrificering/forskydning og begrebet militær urbanisme. Resultaterne peger på, at passagerer oplever usikkerhed og ubehag forbundet med kabinernes materialitet, herunder fravær af sikkerhedsseler, begrænset frisk luft og frygt for at falde. Kritiske kontaktpunkter opstår især ved lav kapacitet, myldretid og ventetid ved forbindelser. Samtidig har Line J forbedret borgernes motilitet ved at øge adgangen til topografisk isolerede kvarterer, til arbejdspladser og for rejsende med handicap. Omkring stationerne ses højere bolig- og lejepriser, som har tvunget nogle til at flytte. Endelig peger analysen på udbredt overvågning og kommunikative forbindelser mellem stationer og militære installationer som led i en mere stilfærdig form for militær urbanisme, samtidig med at sikkerheden er forbedret, og mange forbinder Line J med mere fredelige tider. Tilsammen viser casen, at Line J både forbedrer tilgængelighed og tryghed og samtidig skaber nye friktioner og sociale rumlige pres.
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Keywords