Stuttgart 21
Within the first two days, I was already completely reassured that I came to the right city. One of the big controversies in Stuttgart is surrounding this train station. The issue is named Stuttgart 21 because the project was supposed to be completed in 2021. The plans for the project started over 20 years ago and the topic never really gained much attention from the press. The democracy voted on proceeding with the project and the majority voted to continue it. Now, every Monday, herds of protestors gather at the site to rally against the construction and intentionally try to halt the construction.
The goal of the project is to expand the underground train station already in place. This would enable the train station to hold more trains and be able to move more people. The new train station would also be equipped with more "ultra-fast" trains to enable people to travel within Germany to the major cities with less stops in between, thus benefitting many working people as well as older people that can't drive cars anymore.
The problems with this project are its costs and its damage to the environment.
However, the city planners do have answers for all of these concerns. They were able to save some of the old trees and relocate them elsewhere, some did have to be torn down. The project will eventually pay for itself; it will hopefully turn Stuttgart into a bigger site for tourists, similar to Munich or Frankfort. If it is easier for more people to use the trains, the trains they have will be more profitable. The transaction costs are obviously high, but with most projects that is the case and this project will make up most of the costs.
The goal of the project is to expand the underground train station already in place. This would enable the train station to hold more trains and be able to move more people. The new train station would also be equipped with more "ultra-fast" trains to enable people to travel within Germany to the major cities with less stops in between, thus benefitting many working people as well as older people that can't drive cars anymore.
The problems with this project are its costs and its damage to the environment.
However, the city planners do have answers for all of these concerns. They were able to save some of the old trees and relocate them elsewhere, some did have to be torn down. The project will eventually pay for itself; it will hopefully turn Stuttgart into a bigger site for tourists, similar to Munich or Frankfort. If it is easier for more people to use the trains, the trains they have will be more profitable. The transaction costs are obviously high, but with most projects that is the case and this project will make up most of the costs.
The picture to the left shows the concept for the windows in to the train station. Because the train station is underground, these windows would be all over the park and would allow natural light to enter the station very easily. This would cut down on energy costs dramatically, thus utilizing the "green movement".
I actually find it interesting that even in Germany, where the weather is similar to Chicago, that this project is so popular. I honestly think in Chicago this project would not be approved because it is not sunny often enough to justify the costs for this project in terms of how much money you would save with natural lighting. It may be more logical to approve this project in Florida, but maybe not Chicago.
This puts things in perspective; it is very important for Germany to "think sustainably". So even if the climate is not absolutely perfect for the green initiative, it is still important for them to make the effort towards a sustainable future.
Stuttgart is infamously a city of invention and innovation. Porche and Bosch are two names that are headquartered here, which tells you just how true this is. Stuttgart had the first TV Tower in the world, which enabled more people to have clear signal on their televisions. This design would later be copied by Berlin, Seattle, Houston, Australia and many other places. So it is frustrating for most people living here that Stuttgart is even debating this project. They should be the first city to implement this innovative train station.
However, while I was looking at the pictures for the plans I couldn't help but say out loud "Oh this is so cool". An older lady over heard me, turned around and said, "No! This is bullsh**!". So, with that I learned that the old people here don't like this project and people here speak English.
I actually find it interesting that even in Germany, where the weather is similar to Chicago, that this project is so popular. I honestly think in Chicago this project would not be approved because it is not sunny often enough to justify the costs for this project in terms of how much money you would save with natural lighting. It may be more logical to approve this project in Florida, but maybe not Chicago.
This puts things in perspective; it is very important for Germany to "think sustainably". So even if the climate is not absolutely perfect for the green initiative, it is still important for them to make the effort towards a sustainable future.
Stuttgart is infamously a city of invention and innovation. Porche and Bosch are two names that are headquartered here, which tells you just how true this is. Stuttgart had the first TV Tower in the world, which enabled more people to have clear signal on their televisions. This design would later be copied by Berlin, Seattle, Houston, Australia and many other places. So it is frustrating for most people living here that Stuttgart is even debating this project. They should be the first city to implement this innovative train station.
However, while I was looking at the pictures for the plans I couldn't help but say out loud "Oh this is so cool". An older lady over heard me, turned around and said, "No! This is bullsh**!". So, with that I learned that the old people here don't like this project and people here speak English.