Urban transport system changes in the UK: In danger of populism?

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2024

Subject Area

place - europe, place - urban, planning - methods, policy - environment, technology - emissions, ridership - attitudes

Keywords

Air pollution, Clean Air Zones, Discourse analysis, Low traffic neighbourhood, Populism, Ultra-low emission zones

Abstract

Many cities seek to change their transport systems to reduce negative outcomes. This generally involves measures supporting active and public transport, restricting vehicle use. Infrastructure modification and legislative developments are often perceived as ‘attacks’, and lead to resistance by specific groups. This paper uses critical discourse analysis to evaluate a convenience sample of 185 social media threads opposing Ultra-Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), Clean Air Zones (CAZ), and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) in four cities in the UK, Oxford, London, Birmingham, and Bradford. Themes are identified through MaxQDA to determine the range of discursive strategies used, as well as to understand their interrelationships. Findings highlight intersections of populist politics and (sustainable) transport policymaking and planning in UK cities. The understanding of the mechanisms at work can facilitate the development of less divisive strategies for transforming urban transport systems.

Rights

Permission to publish the abstract has been given by Elsevier, copyright remains with them.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS