How Motivating Factors and Political Vision affect Car-free Initiatives : A study of Stockholm and Oslo

Abstract: This thesis studies why car-initiatives are implemented and how political visions is intertwined in this process. These topics are further explored by looking at how certain critical groups are impacted by car-free initiatives and how they can affect polarization. We use a holistic multiple case comparing Oslo’s Car-free Livability Programme with Living Stockholm. This analysis is structured with our adapted version of the multi-level perspective framework, which emphasizes social components to a greater extent than the original framework. The results show that climate concerns, a common reason to implement car-free initiatives is superseded by softer values such as an increased appreciation of urban areas. Prohibiting cars from city centers has limited short term climate effects. Instead, the value of car-free initiatives is achieved when the urban environment is improved. Additionally, an important and often overlooked result is that car-free initiatives may help change the publics’ perception of the necessity of cars. Furthermore, the political vision behind the project is interlinked with how car-free initiatives are recognized in the public. A strong political vision backed by heavy rhetoric increases the societal impact of the project, as exemplified by Oslo. The project can potentially alter the general perception of the necessity of the car long-term with such an approach but is also exposed to the public’s glare. However, if the project only focuses on a specific area of the city, it may contribute towards polarization and a feeling of discontent within society. In comparison, by implementing an agile approach without a clear political vision as Stockholm did, the project becomes more flexible and reduces unintended consequences. but also has less influence on a national or international level. Furthermore, failing to cater for the needs of critical groups, such as people with disabilities and craftsmen, often results in difficulties and may become a major source of concern within the project. However, these issues can often be identified with improved communication and reduced with small means. To conclude, the emergence of car-free initiatives is a budding trend not only in Scandinavian cities, but around the world. Fueled by concerns about the climate and an urge for citizens to reclaim urban space, car-free initiatives will become more common. Therefore, to implement successful car-free initiatives, it is vital for institutional actors to keep in mind the key points proposed in this thesis, in order to create successful, vibrant cities in the future.