PORTA · Railway Stations as Interface between The Global and The Local

PORTA proposes to study the social dynamics of mobility environments associated with inner-city high-speed rail stations. Previous related studies point at a tension between everyday life rhythms, and the development choices of railway stations. In PORTA I argue for the inclusion of the provision for social life in decision making processes for railway stations development, as a measurable parameter of spatial quality that indicate city’s potential success in the global marketplace. Based on my research experience on public space quality within the globalization process, I assess the role of mobility environments as interface between global and local scale by using the field research method of rhythm-analyses in which I compare and contrast the associated social life of railway stations in Paris, Zurich, and Bucharest. Rather than examining land use and urban morphology as mostly in the state of the art, I identify sustainable ways for future development in the surrounding areas of railway stations concerning a model of social life that is diverse, civil and convivial. Out of this original empirical research I structure a theoretical framework that lays out mutual relationships between design and planning processes, and everyday life rhythms of mobility environments, to facilitate future choices for location and railway networks development. For the challenge to bridge planning theory and practice, my collaboration with ETH Zurich provides critical feedback of practical expertise, including the organization of a test planning process to verify the study’s theoretical findings against real-world projects like CODE24. Through exposure to technical rationality and practical wisdom I will gain organizational skills, improve my capabilities to design solid empirical research and to advance theory with realistic feedback. Moreover, I will train how to progress from knowledge into action, which will enable me to reach an independent position as a planning professional.""