Avtomobilshchina: Driven to the Brink in Moscow

Despite a major road construction program, the pace of traffic circulation in Moscow has slowed to less than half the average speed recorded for 1991. One problem is the rapid growth in the number of vehicles, but even more important, as shown in this study, are the cultural and political dimensions...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urban geography 2008-10, Vol.29 (7), p.683-704
Main Author: Argenbright, Robert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Automobiles
automobility
Bgi / Prodig
civil society
Europe
European part of the Russian Federation
Former USSR
Metropolitan areas
Moscow
Public infrastructure
Road transport
Russian Federation
Traffic
Urban geography
Urban transport
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Summary:Despite a major road construction program, the pace of traffic circulation in Moscow has slowed to less than half the average speed recorded for 1991. One problem is the rapid growth in the number of vehicles, but even more important, as shown in this study, are the cultural and political dimensions of driving and automobile ownership, or automobility. Currently, some specifically Russian driving practices exacerbate the situation. Yet there are many drivers who are eager to collaborate with City Hall in the effort to alleviate congestion. It is argued here that these driver-citizens are emerging publics, people who are creating a civil society without specifically meaning to do so. Mayor Luzhkov acknowledges public opinion, but persists in attempting to solve traffic and parking problems "from above" by constructing more facilities without inviting public participation in planning. These efforts appear unlikely to succeed as long as the public is excluded from mobility governance.
ISSN:0272-3638
1938-2847
DOI:10.2747/0272-3638.29.7.683