Arnor B. Elvarsson, Bryan T. Adey
2024
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This report investigates how transport infrastructure, like roads and railways, is planned in the canton of Zurich from the perspective of the stakeholders responsible for shaping the planning outcomes, e.g., Federal offices of Road and Transport.
This is important because the presence and quality of transport infrastructure affects how easily and safely people can travel and how freight can be transported effectively. The effectiveness of infrastructure to meet its purpose depends on the effectiveness and efficiency of planning processes. This report discusses how the planning procedure could be improved, with a particular focus on the canton of Zürich, Switzerland. The mapping and discussion of the planning institutions and procedures explains which stakeholder groups are involved and how they collaborate. Based on a critical review of the process, viable approaches to improve the planning process are provided. This includes utilising varied sources of data and comprehensive analytical and planning decision tools. Mapping this planning process in Switzerland is novel and could contribute to a more effective and efficient planning decision making process in Switzerland and to a wide range of institutes involved in the process. ‘Effective planning’ would result in the desired outcomes being achieved to a high extent and ‘efficient planning’ would result in the desired outcomes being achieved effectively in relation to the time and/or effort required to achieve it.
