Swiss transport style to ‘integrate’ Greater Boston area?
Swiss transport style to ‘integrate’ Greater Boston area?
Can a railway timetable be an “integrating force” for an entire country? In Switzerland it can.
Culminating our contribution to this year’s Cambridge Science Festival—including the fun “Kids on Wheels” and “Bike to Work” events—swissnex Boston hosted a panel discussion on “Sustainable Transportation: A Challenge for the 21st Century.” The May 21 event enlightened US stakeholders on the exemplary Swiss model as improvements to the Boston-area transport system are currently being explored.
The discussion featured moderator Fred Salvucci of MIT and panelists Amy Cotter of Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), William Lyons of the US Department of Transportation/Volpe Center, and the man responsible for the above declaration, Eric Cosandey from SMA and Partners (Switzerland).
Mr. Cosandey said Switzerland’s railway timetable actually brings cities “closer” simply by cutting connection times. Compact cities have been established, connected by dense railway networks and multiple transportation modes.
His interest piqued by the Swiss example, Mr. Lyons called for a similarly integrated system in Boston/Cambridge. Ms. Cotter, meanwhile, advocated “polycentric cities” that would better connect the Greater Boston area.
“Sustainable Transportation” was hosted in collaboration with the City of Cambridge with assistance from Think Swiss and Cambridge Public Library. Our special thanks to Cambridge City Councilor Sam Seidel.
Think Swiss video clip on sustainable transportation
PDF of Exhibit Sustainable Transportation: A Challenge for the 21st Century
