Brønshøj Lightrail

I got an unexpected round of applause at a recent debate in Brønshøj in outer Copenhagen. The topic was whether there should be a new metro line through Brønshøj.

All of the other politicians said yes. One even treated it as a right - that anything less would be treating Brønshøj as a second-class neighborhood of Copenhagen. The same politicians promised that they would protect the neighborhoods of single-family homes. Never mind that the zoning laws protecting single-family homes are basically a subsidy for the rich when everywhere else in Copenhagen is fighting for every last square meter - to promise a metro without densification is insane financial irresponsibility - such a metro would not even pay for its operation and maintenance, and the financial payback time for its construction would be infinite. The payback time for the climate footprint of its concrete-intensive construction would also be very long, because with no reduction in car lanes, it would not displace much fossil traffic.

The best form of public transport for Brønshøj is a light-rail. Compared to Metro, it could be built faster and less expensive with a far lower environmental up-front cost. It would actively displace cars, making its positive climate impact much higher. It would give even higher-quality transportation to its users, and, if done right, its construction give a chance to reform urban spaces and turn Frederikssundsvej, along which it would run, into a beautiful green corridor teaming with family-friendly spaces and thriving urban life.

Copenhagen Metro is a great public transport company and I'm happy we have it for the dense inner city. It's also a fantastic brand, which is why it is sexy for politicians to promise it to everyone. But as my applause in Brønshøj indicates, not all voters are so easily conned.