دانلود رایگان مقاله سیاست حمل و نقل و حکمرانی در زمان آشفته

Abstract

This paper investigates transport policy in the Republic of Ireland1 before, during and after the ‘Celtic Tiger’ era (1995–2007), to capture how the prevailing governance system responded to rapid economic, political, and social changes. We argue that a detailed record of changes in Irish transport policy and governance during these turbulent times can offer lessons that are relevant to sustainable transport efforts internationally. Focusing on the development, introduction and subsequent implementation of two transport policy milestones, this paper considers political and institutional conditions that paved the way for both a high-cost approach to transport infrastructure development prior to the financial crisis in 2008 and the subsequent shift in policy discourse towards ‘smarter’ more sustainable travel following the rapid deterioration of public finances in the late 2000s. It then asks what changes (if any) are needed to current political-institutional structures to ensure future implementation of these declaratory commitments to sustainable transport. The concluding section explores whether it would be possible, or indeed desirable, to put current transport policy responses to the economic crisis on a more permanent footing, with a view to advancing the sustainable transport agenda, and uncovers opportunities to promote and implement sustainability initiatives in times of financial restraints.

6. Conclusions

The social-scientific analysis of national-level transport policy and practice presented herein demonstrates the need for greater alignment between public debates and policy development both within and beyond the transport sector. Moreover, the findings call for fresh thinking regarding public investment and divestment that incorporates insights from social-scientific and interdisciplinary transport research and that prioritises sustainable transport over and above individual motorised transport. As demonstrated throughout the paper, short-term reactions to an economic crisis, especially cost-cutting measures and an over-emphasis on lowcost and no-cost transport solutions, are unlikely to produce a fully functioning, future-proof sustainable transport system. Instead, what is needed is a combination of wide-ranging, cross-sectoral policy changes and re-allocation of transport funding. Recent changes in EU transport policy and practice towards multi-annual transport budgets, closer links between transport and land use policy, investment in public transport, especially rail, and a greater emphasis on changing transport-related norms and mobility practices have opened up promising pathways that could benefit highly car-dependent EU member-states such as Ireland. Moreover, revelations in September 2015 regarding the manipulation of car emissions levels by large car manufacturers point to the crucial role of trustworthy state and non-state institutions that are fully committed to sustainable transport. Here,the future significance of sustainable transport NGOs and advocacy groups should not be underestimated.