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Abstract:

Compared to the rest of Europe, the region of Flanders is lagging behind in terms of high-quality regional public transport, such as light rail. This is commonly attributed to diffuse urbanization patterns. However, a different approach of the public transport network could create a potential for light rail. Through research by design, the hypothesis of light rail connections is tested on a Flemish test case, not just in term of spatial integration, but also as a catalyst for new developments, resulting in the formation of corridors of concentrated urbanization supported by a regional public transport infrastructure backbone. Based on existing urbanization patterns, the research determines potential structures on which these corridors, as an intermediary figure, can be grafted. Three strategies are tested: (1) heavy-to-light rail transformation; (2) ‘tramification’ of bus corridors; (3) the physical landscape as a backbone.