A Streetcar to be Desired? The Development of a New Approach to Measure Perception of Place Quality in the Context of Tram Network Modernisation

Recent decades have seen a global resurgence in tram network development around the world. Despite a primary basis in transport, tram network development is increasingly framed as a spatial planning mechanism that is prioritised for its potential place-based outcomes. However, there has been limited academic research to investigate impacts of tram network development on community perception of place quality. This study contributes to the literature by presenting the results of 601 completed questionnaires investigating variation in perception of place quality between legacy and modernised tram streetscapes in Melbourne, Australia. Evidence demonstrates that modernised tram streetscapes were perceived to contain an enhanced physical design compared to their legacy counterparts. Additionally, modernised tram streetscapes were rated as higher quality locations overall that were more likely to facilitate a wide range of place-based activities and amenities. Overall findings provide evidence that tram modernisation can be framed as an opportunity for place quality enhancements, and appear to contradict some of the political complications that have played a role in stalling tram streetscape modernisation projects in Melbourne.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2021.103109
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966692321001629
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/09666923
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Abstract reprinted with permission of Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Diemer, Matthew J
  • Currie, Graham
  • De Gruyter, Chris
  • Kamruzzaman, Md
  • Hopkins, Ian
• Publication Date: 2021-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Serial:
  • Journal of Transport Geography
  • Volume: 94
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0966-6923
  • Serial URL: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jtrangeo

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Light rail transit; Modernization; Public opinion; Streetscape; Trolley cars; Urban design; Urban transportation policy
• Geographic Terms: Melbourne (Australia)
• Subject Areas: Design; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01778113
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 28 2021 1:47PM