The project :
Stuttgart is a rail and urbain project which has the
objective to chage and modernize the Stutgart's train station.
The heart of the project is the transformation of this
central train station, which is actually a terminus station, to an
underground way station.
Building work began in 2010 and should be finish in
2021.
It
is an European project because it will connect big European stations
to facilitate transport and communication. Stuttgart 21 is a project
of big one scale, upgrade Germany's and especially land of
Baden-Wurtemberg's railway level. This
project is part of The “Main line for Europe” which is a project
for the creation of a high-speed railway line between Paris and
Bratislava
, it is a real
TransEuropean Transport Networks.
The interest of the project :
The arguments
in favour of Stuttgart 21 are essentially economic : the city will be
all the more attractive as it will be better connected with the
national and European network and the traveling time between cities
will be reduced. Spaces gained on surface (around 100 ha) will allow
the creation of numerous offices and housing. Besides, the
realization of the works will stimulate the employment in all the
region.
“Stuttgart
21 is the symbol of the technological progress” declares Thomas, an
inhabitant of the city. In fact,
the project plans to build a "futuristic" station, using
the most recent technologies, we can quote in particular the solar
panel use, So making of this project an ecological project.
“This project allows to strengthen the prestige of the
city” says Franziska an inhabitant who juste return form foreign.
Criticism :
The project is the object of a controversy. A lot of
demonstrations took place, the biggest having gathered more than 150
000 people. The reason of all its demonstrations is the large number
of inconveniences :
the billion euro cost which would have normally of the
being invested in school construction : “this project is to
expensive.” declares Maria who is against this project. The
duration of the works (more than 10 years) which engenders a noise,
visual and environmental pollution with the dust, The disturbance of
the traffic because of road work, “because of this project roads
are blocked.” says Gabriele an inhabitant of the city.
Moreover,
the construction of the residential area returns the much more
expensive rents.
The people living in the area and not having the means to pay the new
rent will be excluded. This exclusion moreover already began, some
citizens are without house overnight.
So, Stuttgart 21 is certainly a large-scale project,
bringing with him of numerous advantages, but to also its prize of
inconveniences. We attend then a conflict between the citizens and
the politics. Although the project is not cancelled, the opinion of
the citizens was not taken into account however.
By Kuyekudila Jonathan, Bazil William and Jeyabalan Yohesan
