A social justice perspective on protests against urban transport measures

This paper examines one category of contentious transport measure: that which reallocates parking space from cars to other modes of transport. Such restrictive measures are regarded as essential within the broader mix of policies needed to create more climate-friendly cities. The study analyses three Norwegian cases: two involving the removal of curb-side parking to make way for cycle lanes on urban streets, and one involving the removal of parking to pedestrianise three central-city squares. Using a social-justice framework, the analysis reveals three key findings. Firstly, although all three cases involve the removal of parking, the extent and nature of public resistance varied depending on the overall parking policy in place, with this broader policy context helping to explain the different levels and forms of protest. Secondly, the paper highlights the value of a social mobility justice approach in analysing transport system changes, showing that protests stem not just from the distribution of benefits and burdens but also from local values and perceived public-space qualities. Thirdly, diluting a road-space reallocation scheme to reduce opposition – for example, by providing extensive replacement parking – can risk weakening its impact on promoting sustainable transport. This underscores the challenge of balancing opposition management with policy effectiveness.