Towards a novel regime change framework: Studying mobility transitions in public transport regimes in an Indian megacity. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghosh, Bipashyee; Schot, Johan
• Is Part Of: Energy research & social science. Volume 51(2019)
• Page Start: 82
• Page End: 95
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: CSTC Calcutta State Transport Corporation -- CTC Calcutta Tramways Corporation -- JNNURM Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission -- LPG Liquefied petroleum gas -- MoUD Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India -- NKDA New Town Kolkata Development Authority -- RTA Regional Transport Authority -- WBTC West Bengal Transport Corporation; Regime transformation -- Sustainability transitions -- Regime rules -- Public transport -- Urban mobility -- India; Power resources -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2018.12.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-6296

Abstract

Highlights: The focus on niche innovation led transitions reflects a western bias. Three pathways of regime change - optimisation, transformation and transition - are proposed. A novel regime change framework is developed using rules, trajectories, ex-ante and ex-post selection pressures. Socio-technical change in public transportation regimes in Kolkata are used as an empirical case study. Regime change pathways are interconnected within a continuum of change, guided by 'meta-rules'. Abstract: Mobility systems in megacities are facing persistent sustainability problems. A focus on regime shift in transitions literature in addressing these problems reflects a western bias as it relies on niches as sources of change. In megacities like in Kolkata, India, public transportation is dominant, and actors are more concerned to improve and upgrade a variety of public transport regimes. In this paper, we develop a framework for such regime analysis and explore regime transformation as a pathway in between regime optimisation and regime transition pathways. Drawing from evolutionary and institutional theories of socio-technical change, we characterised these three pathways of regime change through changes in trajectories, rules and selection pressures. Applying this novel framework, we study socio-technical changes in the past 15 years in multiple urban public transportation regimes in Kolkata through a mapping tool which may be useful in policy contexts. We find that regime actors can act as front-runners in these change processes and that meta-rules guide directionality of change. We conclude on how sustainability transitions can happen right away within existing regimes, without recourse to niche development.