On board for a solarpunk future

A streetcar worthy of desire

Nov 14, 2022

Following on from the mention of trams in our recent newsletter, I thought I’d take a look at how streetcars could fit into a solarpunk future.

In fact, a future episode of SolarPunk Detective will feature an action scene involving the London trams of 2066.

[Image: The Wolverine]

With our more ‘rooted’ shade of solarpunk, we at SolarPunk Stories like to draw on existing technology and current designs where we can.

So if we were to illustrate a tram in a SolarPunk Story, what could these look like? Based on this approach, here are two potential starting points:

This sleek old-meets-new tram was designed by Italian architect Arturo Tedeschi as a concept for the fashion-conscious city of Milan, Italy. Fittingly, Arturo named it “Passarella,” which is Italian for “catwalk.”

Show by Gucci - the “world’s most sustainable fashion corporation’ @EcoAPorter [Image: Guardian]

Taking design cues from the runway, Milan’s tradition of fashion design, and the original Milanese trams from 1929, the Passarella evokes the deliciously sustainable future that we hope for.

Another updated design for public transit of the future is the Alstom Loop Train-Tram Concept by Alex Nadal back in ‘11 (as such, the original source is now MIA).

I’m unsure if it was a design put forward by tram manufacturer Alstom, or just using their brand.

It sure looks nifty, with big windows to gaze out at the passing greenery as you commute during your three-day working week.

Which tram would you prefer to see in a solarpunk future? Alternatively, have you seen one that you think is even better? Let us know in the comments below.

But how solarpunk are trams anyway?

To explore this question, here’s a TED presentation by Architect and Urban Planner, Peter Calthorpe, entitled 7 Principles For Building Better Cities.

The whole video brings up some great points, but you can skip to 9m3s to hear his thoughts on the role that trams and public transit play in creating “geographic equity” in the “circulation system” of cities. And to quote Peter at the end of the video:

“Walking, biking, and transit are the way that cities and communities thrive.”

And for life outside of the urban, here’s a video from Not Just Bikes that talks about the benefits of “streetcar suburbs” (those built around tram tracks) and how they used to be the norm in the pre-war US and Canada.

The part where he teaches North American viewers about the possible existence – and benefits – of corner stores and cafes in suburban areas is particularly cute.

What’s not so cute is the discussion of the legislative hurdles that prevent these types of livable suburbs in the US and Canada. There’s also a tonne of source links in the description of this video, so go dig deep!