Can We Have Our Cake and Still Eat It? A Review of Flexibility in the Structural Spatial Development and Passenger Transport Relation in Developing Countries

Abstract

With growing urban populations, higher mobility needs, limited available space for transport infrastructure, and the increasing need for more attractive urban areas, these urban areas are faced with a complex dilemma, which gets more challenging by the day. This paper examines the role of flexibility in the relationship between structural spatial development and passenger transport, its economic, environmental, and social perspectives, the long-term impacts of this relationship and the role of this relationship in developing countries. The paper identifies the need for a better understanding of long-term flexibility in development options in order to make better future-proof decisions as a key research avenue, and sets a pathway to achieve this. Main research gaps as identified in the paper include the lack of understanding on the potential for flexibility in optimizing the structural spatial development and passenger transport relationship, the valuation of flexibility, and the application of flexibility approaches in developing countries. This paper emphasizes the importance of acting sooner rather than later, since the future costs of sub-optimal development are rising by the day and the bill is being pushed towards future generations.

Are We Missing the Bus? A Case Study on Flexibility Options for Charging Infrastructure at the Amsterdam Central Station

“…Furthermore, interviewees in general expect added value by applying form(s) of flexibility. The findings regarding the potential added value are in line with the expected positive added value of flexibility [20]. Although the empirical evidence for this case and the literature indicates the potential for positive added value, it is not to be expected for all stakeholders to perceive positive added value in all cases.…”

“…This implies a bias in decision making towards the known forms of flexibility. Since flexibility is a broad topic with many different perceptions of its forms [20], this means that decision making without a full understanding of the forms of flexibility can lead to suboptimal choices being made. It shows the importance of decision makers having significant upfront understanding of how flexibility can be applied and impact projects.…”

“…Flexibility exists in many different forms, such as with physical infrastructure, management or stakeholders. Since flexibility might reduce costs of future developments [20], this can also be attributed to limiting the consequences of uncertainty in decision making; it is seen as crucial under uncertainty for policy design [21]. Together with the potential of linking futures with policy making to choose preferred courses of action [22], this shows the importance of getting a better understanding of the potential of flexibility and the forms of flexibility.…”

“…The question is how can the potential of flexibility be identified? Option value offers an opportunity to do so [20,23], since the potential of different options is made explicit and can be applied in the trade-offs in decision making. This enriches governance theory as a methodological approach since it can help indicate possible development trajectories and can be a valuable addition in Cost Benefit Analysis [23].…”

“…al. [20] since it emphasizes that the lack of understanding of the potential of all forms of flexibility leads to lost potential in added societal value. It highlights the importance of sufficient initial knowledge on the potential of flexibility in infrastructure project development.…”