Citizens’ Rail – Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationComparing two regional governance settings in Europe
Dominik Elsmann
Economic Geography
RWTH Aachen University
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Introduction
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Agenda
i. Introduction
ii. Context
iii. Background
iv. Leading questions
v. Conceptual framework
vi. Regional Railway Governancei. Lancashire Region (UK)
ii. Aachen Region (GER)
vii. Conclusion
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Context
Source: Citizens’ Rail 2014
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Background
1991: 91/440/EEC EU Directive
1994: Rail Reform
1st Step
1996:Regionalisation
Act
1999:Rail Reform
2nd Step
1991: 91/440/EEC EU Directive
1993: Railways Act
2002:Formation of Network Rail
2004:Community Rail
Development Strategy
Source: BDI 2006: Kap. 2
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Background
Implications for further research:
Institutional settings have changedNew stakeholders dealing with new functionsOld stakeholders with modified functionsComplex network of different stakeholders
Participative approaches in new structures?Social sustainabilityBottom up in context of public servicesRelevance
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Leading questions
Is the governance concept adaptable for explaining processes in the regional rail system?
Which research design seems appropriate for focusing on regional railway governance with specific focus on citizens‘ participation?
To what extent do discovered structures in both regions differ from each other?
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Conceptual framework
Governance Participation Social Innovation
Stakeholder network
Decision making processes
Regional governance
Multilevel governance
Paradox of participation
Ladder of citizens‘ participation
Social sustainability
Emergence, implementation and diffusion of new social practices
Result of participatory governance?
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Paradox of participation
High
Low
Identification of problems
Planning Decision Implementation
Possibilities to engage
Interest and need
for communicatio
n
Timescale
Source: Authors‘ diagram based on König & König 2010: 131
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Research design
Qualitative expert interviews
Development of a transnational ideal type
Matching ideal type and theory
Recommendations for action
Lancashire Region
Aachen Region
Ideal type
Stakeholder network„regional rail“
… … …
Decision making processes … … …
Participation … … …
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Overview of first findings
Lancashire Region
Stakeholder network„regional rail“
“[…] let's take Accrington station as an example, then the 3 principle stakeholders in the project were ourselves, Network Rail and Northern Rail.“ (RW_00:19:09-6)
“Generally we would have a standard meeting timetable with local authorities and PTEs at least once a week.“ (CH_00:24:23-9)
Decision making processes
“So the decisions are multi-layered.“ (RW_00:33:55-6)
“Without a shadow of doubt the Department for Transport. They are the lords and masters in the system. So in terms of who controls the railway it is definitely the DfT, there is no question about it.“ (RW_00:35:49-0)
Participation
“I think social media is going to be a key.“ (CH_00:17:47-0)
“Yes, of course there is, because at the end of the day you may actually raise expectations beyond everything that you are able to satisfy.“ (RW_00:44:15-2)
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Stakeholder network Lancashire
Association of Community Rail
Partnerships (ACoRP)
Virgin Trains
Lancashire County Council
Citizens
Local politics
Rail user groups
Friends of station groups
Department for Transport
Passenger Focus
Ambassadors
Community Rail Partnerships
Northern Rail
Volunteers
Regulation
Funding
EU
Train operating companies (TOCs)
Tendering & Regulation
Office of Rail Regulation
Association of Train Operating Companies ATOC
Funding
Coordination
National Rail
Source: Own research
Funding
Fares
Network RailRegulation
Rail Safety and Standards Board
Community Rail Lancashire
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Overview of first findings
Aachen Region
Stakeholder network„regional rail“
“Primarily these are contact persons on the side of AVV, although they are not responsible anymore.“ (UM_00:17:27-5)
„Those meetings take place on a voluntary basis to foster the complex planning process.“ (AW_00:31:45-0)
Decision making processes
“Considering what has to be decided for shaping the future, the degree of openess of ongoing discussions is at a very low level from my point of view.“ (UM_00:33:47-6)
Participation
“Engaging with citizens‘ at an early planning stage is hardly possible or even impossible. That is a problem in my view.“ (UM_00:44:32-3)
“We have to criticise ourselves as well. Maybe without supply there‘s no demand. We have to adress this topic much more.“ (AW_01:00:22-3)
all quotes translated from German
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Stakeholder network Aachen
Aachen Transport Association AVV (+ ltd.)
City of Aachen
Administration union NVR (+ ltd.)
Heinsberg
Düren
StädteRegion Aachen
DB NetzDB Station & Service
Railway undertaking (DB Regio)
Railway infrastructure EVS
Belgium
Citizen
The Netherlands
Local politics
Passenger association (PRO BAHN)
Federal government
North Rhine-
Westphalia
Regulation
EU
Funding
Tendering / Coordination
Federal railway
authority (EBA)
Rail regulator
Funding
Civil associations
Source: Own research
Using citizens‘ participation for rail revitalizationDominik Elsmann | RWTH Aachen University | 19.08.2014
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Conclusion
Since the Railways Act development led to different structures in regional rail stakeholder networks in terms of:
Network composition Network governance Implementation of participatory approaches
Comparing the British and German situation reveals a more intense focus on participatory approaches in the British context:
Community Rail Partnerships (CRP) in Great Britain can be considered as a best practice in terms of participation
Work in progress!
Thank you for your attention!
Dominik Elsmann
RWTH Aachen University
Templergraben 55
52056 Aachen
www.citizensrail.org
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