Masterarbeit
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MASTERARBEIT Titel der Masterarbeit The Social Benefits of Carfree Living Verfasserin Sabeth Tödtli angestrebter akademischer Grad Master of Arts (MA) Wien, 2011 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt: A 066 664 Studienrichtung lt. Studienblatt: 664 DDP Urban Studies UG2002 Betreuer: Diego A. Barrado Timón ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !"#$%&'$(!"#$%&'(" Im Bestreben einer 'Nachhaltigen Entwicklung' plädiert diese Masterarbeit für den Schwerpunkt auf 'Soziale Nachhaltigkeit', namentlich auf Lebensqualität und soziale Gerechtigkeit. Diese Forschungsarbeit befasst sich mit den 'Sozialen Vorteilen' einer reduzierten Automobilität. Im theoretischen Teil werden die möglichen Vorteile von reduzierter Automobilität identifiziert. Nebst ökologischen und wirtschaftlichen Vorteilen liegt das Potential vor allem in den Bereichen Gesundheit, Sicherheit, Komfort, Freiheit, Identität, Kultur, Ästhetik, Demokratie und Bürgerbeteiligung und Gemeinschaft. Der empirische Teil der Arbeit besteht aus zwei Fallstudien – zwei autofreien Wohnsiedlungen – in welchen diese potentiellen sozialen Vorteile untersucht und evaluiert werden: das Quartier Vauban in Freiburg, Deutschland, und die Autofreie Mustersiedlung Floridsdorf in Wien, Österreich. Die sozialen Vorteile, die von den Bewohnern am stärksten wahrgenommen werden sind Gemeinschaftseinrichtungen, gemeinschaftliche Aktivitäten, und die Möglichkeit in die Entwicklung und die Organisation der Siedlung miteinbezogen zu werden. Dieses Konzept der Mitbestimmung, sowie das starke Gemeinschaftsempfinden, bilden somit den Schlüssel zum Erfolg für autofreie Wohnsiedlungen. Die aus dieser Erkenntnis resultierende Empfehlung lautet: In der Planung zukünftiger autofreier Wohnsiedlungen sollen mehr 'soziale Vorteile' von vornherein eingeplant, gefördert, und ausserdem angepriesen werden. Dazu bietet Quartier Vauban ein guten Beispiel, einerseits bezüglich der mittleren Siedlungsgrösse, sowie bezüglich der nicht allzu radikalen Umsetzung des autofreien Konzeptes. !"#$%&'$(!")(*+,-.( This research is concerned with 'Sustainable Development', focusing on the potential of reducing automobility. It advocates a focus on 'Social Sustainability', namely on efforts towards more 'Quality of Life' as well as more 'Social Equity'. The theoretical part of this research identifies the 'Potential Social Benefits' of carlessness (a reduction in car-traffic). Aside from ecological and economic benefits, the social potential is around issues such as health, security, comfort, freedom, identity, culture, Aesthetics, democracy, participation, and community. The empirical part consists of two casestudies – two carfree living projects – in which these 'potential benefits' are investigated: Quartier Vauban in Freiburg, Germany, and Autofreie Mustersiedlung Floridsdorf in Vienna, Austria. The research detects the main social benefits that are perceived by the project's residents: namely the communal life, the communal infrastructure, and the possibility to be involved in the development and the management of the project. This participatory approach, and the strong relevance of community ,are identified as the main keys to success for carfree living projects. Thus, as final suggestions, it is suggested that future carfree living projects implement and promote 'social benefits'. Finally, the ideal scale of such projects is discussed, concluding that the Quartier Vauban project provides a good compromise concerning its local scale and its sustainability- and mobility-approach based on voluntarism. «Quand tu veux construire un bateau, ne commence pas par rassembler du bois, couper des planches et distribuer du travail, mais reveille au sein des hommes le desir de la mer grande et large.» (Antoine de Saint-Exupéery 1943) !"#$%&'()*(+($,-. Thanks to the 4Cities staff for two inspiring years. Thanks to my supervisor Diego for his helpful feedback. Thanks to my dad for making me coffee. Thanks to Claudia, Corinna, Jessie, and Nici, for everything. Content Content 1! Part I INTRODUCTION 3! 1! Introduction 3! 1.1! Introduction and Hypothesis 3! Background and Basic Assumption 3! Focus and Hypothesis 3! 1.2! Research Question and Methodology 4! Part I 4! Part II 4! Part III 4! Part IV 5! Part II AUTOMOBILITY VS. CARFREENESS 7! 2! Towards Carfreeness 7! 2.1! 'Automobility' 7! 2.2! Automobility: Resource-Use and Impacts 8! Use of Energy / Material, and Pollution 9! Land-Use 10! Use of Financial Resources 11! Re-designating Resources 12! 2.3! Reducing Automobility 12! Sustainable Mobility 12! Changing Urban Form 13! 3! Potential Benefits of Carfreeness 15! 3.1! Introduction: Classification 15! 3.2! Potential Benefits for the Environment 15! 3.3! Potential Economic Benefits 16! 3.4! Potential Social Benefits 17! Physical Well-being: Health, Safety, Comfort 19! Time / Freedom / Independence 23! Individuality / Identity / Responsibility /Culture / Education / Aesthetics 26! Participation / Democracy 30! Social Interaction / Community 31! 3.5! Social Equity 34! Part III EMPIRICAL RESEARCH [Casestudies] 37! 4! Carfree living projects 37! The Emerge of a Concept 37! Carfree Living 37! 'Carfree living projects' 38! 5! Case studies 39! Choice 39! 6! Casestudy QV: Quartier Vauban, Freiburg 40! 6.1! Introduction 40! 6.2! Project Description 42! Participatory Planning Process (Co-determination) 42! Co-operative Building and Housing 43! The social benefits of carfree living - 4cities Master Thesis 2011 – Sabeth Tödtli 1 Mobility Concept: Carlessness 43! Architecture / Urban Design 46! Ecological Sustainability 49! Communal Infrastructure: Services, Facilities, Institutions… 50! Social Work and Participation 51! 6.3! Social Benefits in QV 52! General Benefits – More than Carfree? 52! Economic Benefits 56! Health / Safety / Security / Comfort 57! Individuality 57! Aesthetics / Appearance 57! Participation / Community / Space for Social Interaction 57! Identity / Responsibility 59! 6.4! Social Mix and Social Equity 59! Good Intention: Social Mix 59! 'Special Clientel' in Reality: Middle Class Families 60! 7! Casestudy AMF: Autofreie Mustersiedlung Floridsdorf, Vienna 64! 7.1! Introduction 64! 7.2! Project Description 65! Participatory Planning Process (Co-determination) 65! Mobility Concept: Carfessness 66! Architecture / Urban Design 68! Ecological Sustainability 71! Communal Facilities and Participation 72! 7.3! Social Benefits in AMF 73! General Benefits – More than Carfree? 73! Economic Benefits 76! Health / Safety / Security / Comfort 76! Participation / Social Interaction / Community 77! Individuality / Responsibility 78! 7.4! Social Mix and Social Equity 79! Part IV COMPARISON & CONCLUSIONS 83! 8! Comparison and Conclusions 83! 8.1! Casestudy Comparison 83! Success & Model Character 83! More than Carfree! 84! The Question of Scale 85! 8.2! Conclusions from Casestudy Comparison 87! 8.3! Conclusions and Suggestions 89! Final re-assessment of Initial Hypothesis & Questions 89! Suggestions 90! Suggestions for Further Research 90! BIBLIOGRAPHY 91! 9! Figures 91! List of Figures 91! 10! Pictures 93! List of Pictures 93! 11! References 94! APPENDIX 103! 2 The social benefits of carfree living - 4cities Master Thesis 2011 – Sabeth Tödtli Part I INTRODUCTION 1 Introduction 1.1 Introduction and Hypothesis Background and Basic Assumption Facing the acuteness of climate crisis the world is in urgent need for a 'Green Change'. But Sustainable Development shall not be limited to ecological measures. The convergence of multiple crises today calls for an all-embracing approach, following the tri-fold concept of Sustainable Development, encompassing ecological, economic and social concerns. This research paper advocates a focus on Social Sustainability, along with re-urbanisation. The basic assumption is that a development towards 'Urban Sustainability' has great potential to take into account the two main concerns of Social Sustainability: Efforts towards 'Quality of Life' and the issue of 'Social Equity'. >> For a comprehensive essay on these issues, see Appx 1 Focus and Hypothesis To examine the question of 'Urban Sustainability' in a more confined realm of study, the topic is narrowed down to the problem of traffic in cities, and finally to the notion of 'carfreeness'. Why? Because automobility uses up large amounts of resources such as energy, material, and land, it pollutes the environment, and it costs a lot of money. In contrast, a reduction in automobility offers various advantages for the environment, the economy, and consequently the society. The data and knowledge on ecological advantages in this context is already extensive, but yet has not caused far-reaching changes in mobility behaviour. Why not? Because to the majority of people, 'saving the environment' as an argument is not persuading enough. Nor is any other altruistic reason. Therefore, the proposal in this research paper is to redefine the central motivation for 'Sustainable Development'. What is necessary for a 'Green Change' to happen? The society as a whole has to be willing to change. In order to convince people, the necessary change has to meet human needs and human desires, and contribute to their 'Quality of Life'. In order to be appealing and become 'normal', the proposed lifestyle must have obvious social benefits. The main hypothesis and the resulting aim of this research are: o Carfreeness has the potential to provide a range of 'social benefits' o These 'potential social benefits' must be identified, and shall become decisive arguments for a reduction of automobility. In particular,