Infrastructural and spatial aspects for a steering regional public transport system

This PhD research is based on insights gained within the framework of the ORDERin’F research project. The main focus of ORDERin’F is on the design of a regional public transport network in relation to the transformation of urbanization patterns in Flanders. It draws upon two basic questions as research hypothesis: Is it possible to design a public transport network within the strongly fragmented spatial structure of Flanders that enhances significant long term economic, social and environmental benefits for the society at large ? Can this regional network of public transport act as a lever to restructure the suburbanized spatial structure of Flanders in the long term? The PhD dissertation will elaborate on design strategies for the spatial integration of regional public transport. The design challenge of this overall research is twofold: the first, more infrastructural aspect is the incentive for the second, more spatial aspect. An iterative process of scenario-testing between different levels in both aspects will lead to an integrated design. From an infrastructural point of view on the one hand, a network needs to be organized on the level of the region, drawing out main connections which are further defined into real trajectories. From spatial perspective on the other hand, the network is framed in a vision on the scale of the region and on the scale of the tissue and nodes. The emergence of design themes and dilemmas out of the research scope together with hypotheses about people’s future lifestyle and behavior in relation to public transport will result in clear strategic choices about the public transport system and spatial planning. This paper elaborates the different levels and some of the dilemmas related to it. From an infrastructural perspective, the design of a regional public transport network goes hand in hand with a transport development strategy for the whole region, taking changes in lifestyle and mobility into account. Network homogeneity and inter-modality are to be considered. A next level determines the main connections, by roughly defining a corridor, its identity and its starting and end-point. These connections can follow existing (car-based) displacements or rather solve missing links and provide new displacement opportunities. The third level handles the complexity of the definition of the trajectory. Deconstructing the design task into eight different scenarios for one corridor translates the design complexity into a set of comprehensible and comparable hypotheses. Each scenario tries to build a trajectory that ideally covers the needs of a specific aspect, neglecting the other ones. A first scenario searches for an ideal rail trajectory linking settlement patches together. The next ones all focus on linking functions other than housing, respectively small town centers, transport hubs, work spaces, typical peripheral and peri-urban functions, services and activities. Another strategy aims to connect as many potential sites for (re)development as possible, while the last scenarios try to re-use at maximum existing infrastructures or embed the line in the landscape. One question arising is whether car-bound infrastructure should be confirmed or questioned? Is proximity and direct relation with existing development required or could a new infrastructure in itself create sufficient attraction to support the line if this proximity is lacking? Another dilemma is if the speed efficiency of a straight line should be preferred over a tailored solution that passes through existing centers in order to have a maximum coverage of settlements? The fourth level focuses on the implementation of stops and their interrelation. Being the point of entry to the public transport system, centrality, accessibility and location of the stops in relation to existing tissue all play an important role. Parallel with the elaboration of the network, a vision for the spatial strategy in the region needs to be defined. This strategy deals with the future of the dispersed living pattern in Flanders, its qualities and the impact of a new public transport network. How can the densification process and the common concept of a de-concentrated bundling be dealt with? Do we aim to design a steering public transport in terms of spatial planning or do we opt for a spatial status-quo? The second level is a development strategy for a conglomeration of suburban tissues with similar structure and (development) characteristics that contains one or more stops. The urban design of new nodes and its surroundings is a next level. The impact of the new public transport stop is a central theme: How far can it operate as an attractor of functions and development? Last but not least, the design of the public space is crucial as an opportunity to restructure a piece of the urban fabric and render it attractive. On each level, the design of the public transport system and its spatial development needs to meet the requirements to convince potential travelers as much as possible. Final design results should test the spatial and mobility potential of an integrated project, and exemplify the multidisciplinary approach we aim to reach within the design team. The design research process will result in the elaboration of a taxonomy of qualitative design strategies for the layout of a new regional rail road line on all these different scales. Thus, a blueprint is developed for research-by-design strategies regarding spatial and landscape integration of this innovative public transport concept in Flanders.

ISBN:978-88-87697-67-4

Publication year:2011