NECTAR Workshop on Transport Infrastructure Impacts and Evaluation

The NECTAR (Network on European Communications and Transport Activities Research) Workshop, held from July 2 to 4, convened international researchers and UCL academics to examine the intricate interplay of discourse, subjectivity, and power in transport and urban planning. 

Over the course of three days, participants delivered presentations and engaged in robust discussions, delving into how language and dominant narratives shape the evolution of cities and mobility systems. The workshop, organised by The Bartlett School of Planning’s Professor Robin Hickman and Phd student Craig Smith provided a dynamic platform for critical discourse analysis, in-depth case studies, and theoretical debates, illuminating how contested visions and socio-political forces steer planning outcomes.

Four themed sessions showcased 14 diverse papers, tackling urgent issues such as sustainable mobility, equity, health impacts, and the media’s role in framing planning initiatives. Presenters offered perspectives from around the globe, exploring topics like the political complexities of airport development in Mexico City, the implementation of superblocks in Barcelona, and the ongoing discourse around Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in the UK. The event’s emphasis on discursive struggles and dominant planning narratives ignited meaningful dialogue on the necessity of integrating diverse viewpoints and participatory methods into future transport strategies.

Beyond the formal sessions, attendees joined a guided walking tour of major redevelopment sites around Euston and King’s Cross, followed by an immersive field trip across London. These excursions allowed participants to observe first hand the realities of planning projects in one of Europe’s most vibrant urban landscapes. Informal conversations during these outings reinforced the workshop’s central themes, bridging theory and practice in real-world settings.

The workshop fostered rich exchanges among established scholars and early-career researchers alike. By creating an environment for critical reflection and forward-looking dialogue, the event made a significant contribution to ongoing debates on mobility, social equity, and the future of urban environments.

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Workshop Presentations and Attendees

Session 1: Chaired by Robin Hickman Wednesday, 2 July 2025

· Eran Feitelson – “Power, politics and storylines in the populist era: the struggle over Israel’s second airport” — The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

· Craig Smith – “Disability and travel” — University College London

· Prof. Silvio Nocera – “Nuances and ambiguities in conceptualising equity in transport” — Università Iuav di Venezia

· Hannah Murdock – “An assessment of how health and equity are considered in Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans across Europe” — Imperial College London

Session 2: Chaired by Annika Mosser Thursday, 3 July 2025

· Robin Hickman – “Foucauldian discourses on sustainable urban mobility” — University College London

· Nora Klinner – “‘A true transformation’: media discourse on social-ecological transformation of urban mobility in Germany” — University of Frankfurt am Main

· Seren Rayment, Fernanda Rivera, Zihan Yu – “Discourses on Battersea Power Station” — University College London

· Fernanda Rivera – “Mexico City and the discursive struggle for a new airport” — University College London

Session 3: Chaired by Fernanda Rivera Thursday, 3 July 2025 

· Ahmadreza Faghih Imani – “Through the filter: misinformation and media sentiment on Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) in the UK” — Imperial College London

· Dr. David Fevyer – “Making sense of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs): a discourse analysis of residents’ perceptions of road reallocation schemes” — University of Westminster

· Serena Mombelli – “Decoding media narratives: a sentiment and emotion analysis of Barcelona’s superblocks” — Autonomous University of Barcelona

Session 4: Chaired by Seren Rayment Thursday, 3 July 2025

· Imre Keserü & Lotte Luykx – “Imagining proximity in mobility futures: multimodal discourse analysis of the representation of mobility in science fiction” — Vrije Universiteit Brussel

· Galit Cohen-Blankshtain – “Public acceptability of congestion pricing: do policy alternatives address public concerns?” — The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

· Daniel Abendano, Annika Mosser, Yanliang Dong – “Discourses on the Lower Thames Crossing” — University College London