Opposition to sustainable transport projects is growing, because of distributive and identity grievances familiar from broader climate policy. Flora Baumgartner looks at how transport policies are contested locally, and how they act as glue for right-wing parties, locally and at a European level
How many right wingers live in or near the city center? Most usually want some domain; a house at the smallest but usually they want larger amounts of land.
Transit focused projects don’t directly benefit their commute, so they hate them.
And then, when they observe that there’s a lot of congestion (on account of all the people who insist on driving into the city from the suburbs), they complain that there are too many people. The circularity is beautiful.
How many right wingers live in or near the city center? Most usually want some domain; a house at the smallest but usually they want larger amounts of land.
Transit focused projects don’t directly benefit their commute, so they hate them.
And then, when they observe that there’s a lot of congestion (on account of all the people who insist on driving into the city from the suburbs), they complain that there are too many people. The circularity is beautiful.