Traffic, Living conditions, Empowerment, Kgs. Enghave, Urban Policy
Abstract
This thesis examines the multidimensional aspects of space, power and mobility. On behalf of, among others, the theories of Bourdieu, Foucault and Harvey, the dimensions are found intermingling. Space is a concept of control and power, and mobility is a spatial strategy also conveying power. It is found that local living conditions are influenced by the spatial and mobile structures and that mobility to a wide degree has local side effects.
The dimensions of space, power and mobility are examined through a detailed and strategic case study of the neighbourhood Kgs. Enghave in Copenhagen. The neighbourhood Kgs. Enghave is heavily burdened with thoroughfare traffic and the side effects that the traffic causes. Furthermore the neighbourhood population has the lowest income rate in Copenhagen and a high percentage of social clients. Around two-third of the local residents find that the traffic conditions influences their well-being and for many years they have tried to change the traffic situation of their area. In recent years an urban neighbourhood regeneration program has also taken part in formulating the locally based traffic policy strategy.
The thesis concludes that there are many connections between traffic and local living conditions. Among these are stress, insecurity and anxiety. In recent years the local actors have an increased and common awareness of the many problems that the traffic creates. At local horizontal level, the local actors have experienced increased social capital and network relations and various processes of empowerment. The neighbour-hood is also in some sense strengthened vertically in relation to the administrative and political levels in the field of traffic- and urban policy.
On the other hand, there are many barriers to changing the local traffic situation. Among these are the powerful political strategy and doxa of giving primacy to the mobility of cars. Also the material structures and the daily traffic, which are made up of human beings, but which present itself as an unavoidable structure, functions as a barrier. Finally, there is a huge difference in the conception of time – the projects that the local residents have been permitted, is maybe first to be implemented in ten years, which is a long time waiting when you live your daily life next to a road with over 35.000 cars a day.
