Proper planning and citizen participation as prerequisites for the successful design of a modern tramway system: lessons learnt from the Athens Tramway example

摘要

The modern tramway, as a means of transport, has several advantages. The main objectives of the planning process consist of indicating its merits in every specific application and reducing its demerits. A successful result requires avoiding any omissions in the planning process, while it is also necessary to solve any technical problems, related to the feasibility of the application and its consequences, at the early stages of the planning process. Moreover, the participation of citizens at the early stages of the planning process is of great importance for the success of the final result and for the reduction of the contrasts. The citizen participation is especially necessary since for most of them, the tram is a new means of transport that they are not familiar with. The planning team is a team of experts that investigate the various issues and the technical problems and should not confuse its role with the decision power of the citizens who will fund, benefit from and suffer the consequences of each application. The present paper focuses on the above-mentioned topics in relation to the Athens New Tramway System. This was introduced in order to serve passengers during the Athens Olympics 2004; this system, which is under construction, however, faced severe criticisms and the great reaction of people of neighboring areas.