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De-politicising and re-politicising transport infrastructure futures

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  • Crystal Legacy

Abstract

The planning for future transport and its infrastructure is deeply political. Yet, how we understand re-politicisation, and what those efforts tell us about what is political in the planning for future cities, remains under explored. One lens through which to explore these acts is to consider the role of urban coalitions in drawing attention to the dominant politics of planning and setting the ground for the re-politicisation of transport infrastructure futures. Drawing on the work of post-foundational scholars Mouffe and Rancière, this paper examines the interplay between de-politicisation and re-politicisation and how two urban coalitions negotiated this landscape in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area during a sustained period of contestation surrounding the proposal of new transport infrastructure. Through this analysis, this paper draws on in-depth interviews with coalition members, transport planners, politicians and engaged citizens to illustrate how these urban coalitions produced a ‘collective will’ and a struggle towards a ‘consensus cure’ in their re-politicising actions. This paper reveals how coalition-led re-politicisation establishes the grounds for the politics to shift on contested future transport proposals and offers insight into the incremental and oftentimes incomplete ways re-politicisation nurtures transformational change.

Suggested Citation

  • Crystal Legacy, 2022. "De-politicising and re-politicising transport infrastructure futures," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 40(7), pages 1535-1550, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envirc:v:40:y:2022:i:7:p:1535-1550
    DOI: 10.1177/23996544221092920
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Graham Haughton & Phil McManus, 2019. "Participation in Postpolitical Times," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 85(3), pages 321-334, July.
    3. Elisabet Van Wymeersch & Thomas Vanoutrive & Stijn Oosterlynck, 2020. "Unravelling the Concept of Social Transformation in Planning: Inclusion, Power Changes, and Political Subjectification in the Oosterweel Link Road Conflict," Planning Theory & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(2), pages 200-217, June.
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