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 pages

Traditionelt vis fokuserer byudviklingen af en station på de forskellige transportformer. Udfordringen i den moderne stationer er manglende kvalitet bæredygtige tiltag i det offentlige rum. Det er vigtigt at styrke deltagelsen af borgerne for at forbedre udvikling af stationerne. Hermed er der også mangel på involvering af det lokale samfund hvor lokal udvikling indeholder inklusion for at opnå bæredygtige mål. Transport paradigmet er reduceringen af ventetid mellem rejserne, hvor der ikke er nok fokus på kvaliteten af turen som helhed for folket. Kvaliteten af det offentlige rum påvirkes af den eksisterende infrastruktur, som sætter begrænsninger for genskabelse af et nyt offentligt rum. Andre aspekter relateret til stationerne er bedre transportformer, energieffektivitet, reducering af forurening og de traditionelle politiske rammer. Togstationer er relevant for udviklingen af en bæredygtige by, da det byder på livskvalitet og effektiv i forbindelser med nabo områderne. Denne afhandling fokuserer på indflydelsen af den politiske struktur og lokalsamfundet i Glostrup Kommune. Hermed undersøges interessenternes engagement i processen for at opnå et nyt forbedret offentlig rum. Gennem interviews med nøgle personer af byudviklingen i Glostrup, afklares den svingende engagement i processen. Konklusionen er at den politiske ramme fremsat af kommunalbestyrelsen er afgørende for udviklingen af stationspladsen for at opnå bæredygtige mål og styrke kvaliteten af det offentlige rum.

Traditionally the development of a train station focuses on transportation manners for commuters. The challenge in modern train stations is the quality of the public space, which adds value to citizens through sustainable measures. It is crucial to strengthen participation for better development of train stations. There is a lack of involvement, and throughout the thesis, it is demonstrated that the argument is two-folded. The first one is local, about local development, inclusion, and achieving locally sustainable objectives. The other is about the system level. In order to handle the urbanization, new ways of governing are fundamental to achieve an optimal train station that comprehends all aspects of the transportation system. In a paradigm of transport where time-travel is at the center, there is not enough focus on the quality of the trip as a whole for people. The quality of the space is affected by the existing infrastructure that puts some limitations on the recreation of the place. Other challenging aspects of urban spaces, at the stations, are better transport modes, energy-efficiency, pollution reduction and policy framework. The focus on train stations is relevant for the development of sustainable cities since it offers quality of life, efficient connectivity, optimal and innovative use of public spaces and reduction of human footprint. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the influence of the political structure and the local community concerning strengthening placemaking in train stations. The paper seeks to examine the complexities of stakeholders’ involvement to govern the process to achieve the concept of placemaking. The theoretical framework focuses on the governance approach used in the Glostrup project, which shows that there is a need for a proactive strategy that strengthens the public space on stations. Through interviews with key stakeholders related to Glostrup station’s development, their fluctuating involvement in the process illustrates the upcoming barriers of engaging the local community to contribute to the municipality's plans and strategy. In conclusion, the political framework put forward by the City Council is pivotal for the development of the train station to manage sustainable objectives and strengthen the quality of the public space. Further studies are needed to investigate the impact of including key actors’ interests through co-finance and public-private partnerships.

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