Jan Jacob Trip

INTEGRATION OF SMALL FREIGHT FLOWS IN THE INTERMODAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM.

Abstract This paper explores the possibility of implementing innovative bundling models and new-generation terminals as a means to integrate small flows, mainly from outside the economic core areas, in the intermodal transport system. Any integration of these small flows would increase the transport volume that is potentially suitable for intermodal transportation, and could therefore add to the modal shift from road to rail. To illustrate this concept, it will be applied to the proposed terminal in Valburg in the Netherlands. The theoretical and practical results of this example will be discussed in the context of the more general research on innovative intermodal transport.

ASSESSING QUALITY OF PLACE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AMSTERDAM AND ROTTERDAM

ABSTRACT: In the wake of the success of Richard Florida in particular, concepts such as the “creative class” and “quality of place” have become growing topics of debate in urban economics and urban geography. Originally developed to assess the competitiveness of U.S. cities, quality of place was applied to a group of European countries. However, analyses of quality of place at the national level can produce only an indicative picture. The objective of this article is therefore to gain a more detailed insight into the meaning and applicability of quality of place in a context different from the one in which Florida developed his ideas. First, it focuses on what quality of place actually entails, how far it can be measured in various contexts, and the main criticisms that can be leveled against Florida’s ideas. Second, it draws a comparison between competitiveness and quality of place in the two largest cities in the Netherlands, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and discusses some of the main complications that arise from the analysis.

THE MULTI-SCALAR COMPLEXITY OF INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING: EVIDENCE FROM THE DUTCH-FLEMISH MEGACORRIDOR

Abstract The interests of infrastructure development, urbanisation and quality of life are becoming increasingly intertwined while at the same time becoming detached from any one administrative area or level of governance. Consequently, infrastructure planning is becoming more a multi-scalar and multi-actor process. It is expected that the leading role of national governments in large-scale spatial planning will gradually evolve towards types of multi-level governance. This paper focuses on the question to what extent this will lead to a corresponding change in national spatial planning. A case study will illustrate how the planning of cross-border rail infrastructure in the megacorridor from the Randstad to Flanders is taking place. Finally, some suggestions for improvement are presented.

Creative City Policy and the Gap with Theory

Abstract The creative city concept is popular among researchers and policy-makers. On the one hand, academic literature elaborates, on a conceptual level, the importance of creativity and innovation for urban competitiveness; on the other, numerous cities develop and implement creative city policies in practice. The connection between these two is rather weak and, accordingly, creative city policy tends to be ad hoc. Our purpose in this paper is to narrow the above-mentioned gap between theory and practice, by addressing the question of how conceptual insights into the creative city can be converted into an elaborated operational approach for local policy practice. We propose a three-step approach: (1) to position a citys current creative places and communities within the context of social and economic structures, urban narratives and prevailing governance structures and style by means of a systematic analytical framework; (2) to assess the spatial, social and symbolic place qualities of the creative production and consumption; (3) to identify options for effective policy intervention. We further examine how these steps may be applied in practice, and use the city of Delft in the Netherlands as an example. A discussion of the applicability and implementation of this approach concludes the paper.

Delft blues: the long road from university town to knowledge city

Besides their teaching and research tasks, universities are increasingly expected to valorise knowledge into innovation. This involves new products, but also transdisciplinary knowledge exchange with people, technologies, firms and markets. This relates to knowledge-based urban development through a variety of locally-specific variables and features. This paper discusses the role of knowledge capacity in the development of the Dutch City of Delft. It emphasises the role of Delft University of Technology as a main player of Delft’s knowledge capacity, the qualities of the local production and consumption milieus and the role of local knowledge city policy. It explores the role and impact of knowledge capacity in urban development in a setting with mixed advantageous and disadvantageous qualities. The results suggest that the reason for the disappointing employment creation in Delft may be found particularly in the triple helix cooperation between government, knowledge institutions and industry.

What makes a city : urban quality in Euralille, Amsterdam South Axis and Rotterdam Central

Many HST station areas take shape as what we may call international business centres: locations that aim to attract the offices of, in particular, internationally-oriented producer services. Euralille, for example, was developed explicitly as a European Business Centre; in Amsterdam, international banks did in effect initiate the development of the South Axis before local authorities joined in. The HST may facilitate the development of an international business centre mainly for two reasons. First, it provides additional transport facilities, which are important as knowledge-intensive activities still very much depend on face-to-face contacts. Second, it provides an image that suits international business. Neither is indispensable: exemplary centres of international business such as La Defense or Canary Wharf can do without. But for cities of a somewhat smaller calibre, the HST is considered a must-have.

The Role of Urban Quality in the Planning of International Business Locations: The Case of Amsterdam Zuidas

Urban quality is increasingly considered important for long-term urban competitiveness. Diversity, in a broad sense, is an essential aspect of this. However, in the development of large-scale international business locations, urban quality may easily suffer from efficiency requirements. Based on an extensive case study of the Zuidas project in Amsterdam, this paper addresses the questions as to how urban quality, and in particular diversity, is taken into account in the planning of large-scale international business locations, which actors are responsible and to what extent they base their actions on a distinct long-term perspective on urban quality. It is concluded that even in such a prestigious, quality-oriented project the role of urban quality is not necessarily guaranteed; the paper therefore advocates a more flexible and open development process.

An Analysis of the Standardization Process of Electric Vehicle Recharging Systems

Electric vehicles of various manufacturers are being deployed throughout Europe. To recharge these vehicles, an infrastructure of rechargers is needed to enable charging at both private and public parking facilities. Throughout Europe, different charging protocols, plug designs and billing systems have been developed and introduced. In this chapter, the authors describe these standards and analyse the current situation in north-western Europe regarding the installed equipment and initiatives to realize national and international interoperability between currently isolated networks of chargers. The authors conclude that there is a problematic tension between early attempts to define national standards and the eventual need for international interoperability to enable cross-border travel with electric vehicles.

Rail pricing and the supply of complementary commercial goods

During the second half of the 19th century, railways were the dominant transport mode, but in the 20th century the dynamism of the railway began to lose its momentum. Presently, car and truck have become the leading modes for passenger and freight transport.

Rail-rail Hub-terminals as an Alternative for Shunting: An Explorative Comparative Case Study

Shunting yards are important exchange nodes for those intermodal freight flows that are too small for frequent direct point-to-point shuttle connections. To maintain a daily or more frequent shuttle service, trains need to have a certain minimum length and loading degree to be economical. However, by bundling such small freight volumes (consolidation), it is still possible to achieve a frequent connection. Such bundling networks could be line networks, hub-and-spoke networks or collection-and-distribution networks (Figure 12.1). At the start and end points of these networks, trucks take care of drayage to and from the shipper or receiver.