The influence of political structures and local community engagement on placemaking in train stations - A case study of Glostrup Multifunctional Station

Ghannam, Mohammad Khaled

4. term

Sustaianable Cities, Master

2019

2019-10-02

98

Udviklingen af togstationer har traditionelt handlet om at få pendlere hurtigt frem. I dag er udfordringen også at skabe gode offentlige rum ved stationerne, som giver værdi gennem bæredygtige tiltag. Det kræver stærkere deltagelse fra borgere og andre aktører, men denne involvering er ofte utilstrækkelig. Afhandlingen peger på to niveauer: lokalt, hvor det handler om lokal udvikling, inklusion og at nå lokale bæredygtige mål; og på systemniveau, hvor håndteringen af urbanisering gør nye styringsformer nødvendige for at skabe stationer, der passer ind i hele transportsystemet. Når rejsetid er i centrum, overses ofte den samlede rejseoplevelse for mennesker. Samtidig begrænser eksisterende infrastruktur mulighederne for at forny stedet. Andre udfordringer ved stationer er at forbedre transporttilbuddene, øge energieffektiviteten, reducere forurening og skabe et hensigtsmæssigt politisk rammeværk. Stationer er vigtige for bæredygtige byer, fordi de kan styrke livskvalitet, give effektiv sammenhæng, fremme innovativ brug af offentlige rum og mindske menneskets fodaftryk. Formålet er at undersøge, hvordan den politiske struktur og det lokale fællesskab påvirker arbejdet med placemaking – at skabe levende, inkluderende og velfungerende offentlige rum – på stationer. Afhandlingen ser på, hvordan interessenter inddrages for at styre processen mod placemaking. Den teoretiske ramme bygger på governance-tilgangen i Glostrup-projektet og viser behovet for en proaktiv strategi, der styrker stationens offentlige rum. Interviews med nøgleaktører omkring udviklingen af Glostrup Station viser, at deres involvering svingede over tid, hvilket skabte barrierer for at engagere lokalsamfundet i kommunens planer og strategi. Konklusionen er, at det politiske rammeværk fra Byrådet er afgørende for at nå bæredygtige mål og forbedre kvaliteten af det offentlige rum ved stationen. Der er behov for yderligere studier af, hvordan medfinansiering og offentlig-private partnerskaber – og hensynet til nøgleaktørers interesser – påvirker resultaterne.

Train stations have traditionally been designed to move commuters efficiently. Today, the challenge is also to create high-quality public spaces at stations that add value through sustainable measures. This requires stronger participation from citizens and other stakeholders, yet involvement is often lacking. The thesis makes a two-level argument: at the local level, it is about local development, inclusion, and meeting local sustainability goals; at the system level, managing urbanization demands new ways of governing to design stations that fit the whole transport system. When travel time is the main focus, the overall quality of the trip is overlooked. Existing infrastructure also limits how much the place can be redesigned. Other station-related challenges include improving transport options, boosting energy efficiency, reducing pollution, and setting an effective policy framework. Focusing on stations is important for sustainable cities because they can improve quality of life, provide efficient connectivity, enable innovative use of public space, and reduce the human footprint. This thesis examines how political structures and the local community influence placemaking at stations—creating lively, inclusive, and functional public spaces. It analyzes the complexities of stakeholder involvement to steer the process toward placemaking. The theoretical framework draws on the governance approach used in the Glostrup project and identifies the need for a proactive strategy that strengthens station public spaces. Interviews with key actors in the development of Glostrup Station show that involvement fluctuated over time, creating barriers to engaging the local community in the municipality’s plans and strategy. The thesis concludes that the political framework set by the City Council is pivotal for meeting sustainable objectives and improving the quality of public space at the station. Further studies should examine how including key actors’ interests through co-financing and public–private partnerships affects outcomes.

[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]

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