ABSTRACT
Within the Flemish context, existing train and bus networks function reasonably efficiently at the intercity and local levels, respectively. However, public transport is not as solid in the in-between territories, which are strongly urbanized as well; here, mobility demands are much bigger than in central cities (Boussauw 2011, 152), and the resulting travel patterns are often of an intermediary distance. Individual car
8.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 153 8.2 The Scheldt and Rupel Rivers as Structuring Landscape Figures in the
Test Case of Klein-Brabant ........................................................................... 156 8.3 Five Configurations for a Landscape-Embedded Light-Rail Connection .... 160
8.3.1 “Polder Island”: In and around Bornem ........................................... 160 8.3.2 “Polder Edge”: Kruibeke/Bazel/Rupelmonde .................................. 160 8.3.3 “Waterfront”: Rupelmonde/Steendorp/Temse .................................. 161 8.3.4 “Industrial Patch Regeneration”: Hemiksem/Schelle/Niel ............... 162 8.3.5 “Postproductive Landscape”: Boom ................................................. 164
8.4 Research beyond the Design: The Emergence of Recurrent Design Criteria ..................................................................................................... 165
8.5 Conclusions: Comparing the Proposed Design Schemes with Different Scenarios and Applying the Design Lessons on the Scale of Flanders ........ 168
References .............................................................................................................. 169
traffic markedly dominates regional mobility: For home-work movements between 10 and 50 km, the modal share of the car exceeds 70%.*
All across Europe, regional public transport networks have been developed to cover medium-range distances and successfully compete with car traffic.† These projects, often based on light-rail technology, suggest that an efficient regional transport system not only serves, but also influences travel behavior, thus making a long-term impact on spatial structure and urbanization patterns. A number of regional light-rail projects are currently being prepared in Flanders, but their strategic potential as a de facto tool for urbanism in a changing spatial context is not being considered.
