Modernidad en movimiento. Cómo enfrentarse a la movilidad motorizada en Teherán, Santiago y Copenhague

Abstract

The progress of modernization is accompanied by an emphasis on urban mobility and economic growth together with increasing environmental awareness. This article aims at analysing the transformation of transport systems (car-road system and public transport) together with related urban changes and their societal effects in three very different cities: Santiago, Tehran and Copenhagen. In these cities vehicle ownership is increasing and motorized mobility is further facilitated. Mass motorization is an essential part of modernization. However, its impact on societal development is an area of research that has received little attention. Moreover, mass motorization is handled in different ways in different socio-political settings. In Tehran the emphasis is on technological upgrading and enlargement. In Santiago, an important re-regulation and modernisation of the systems is taking place. In Copenhagen all kinds of improvements are made partly inspired by the Agenda 21. Furthermore, as this article points out, the local political order and chosen strategies to handle motorization problems are diverse. My analysis emphasizes mass motorization, political interventions, civil society, urban governance, sustainable development and the management of urban mobility. I conclude that political strength at the city level seems to be weaker than what is observed at the national level. © 2006 Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Facultad de Arquitectura, Diseño y Estudios Urbanos Instituto de Estudios Urbanos y Territoriales.