Cathy Macharis

Transport projects and policies often generate unevenly distributed environmental, social and economic effects, making appraisal technically and politically contested. Participatory multi-criteria analysis (PMCA) has therefore been proposed as an alternative or complement to conventional appraisal methods, as it allows multiple stakeholder perspectives to be represented rather than relying on a single analyst’s weighting structure. Yet its use for formal transport decision support and legitimisation remains insufficiently formalised.,This paper presents a retrospective methodological reflection on three appraisal exercises in Belgian transport policy and planning: a railway capacity project, an urban motorway removal debate and company car reform. Drawing on these cases, we assess the strengths and limitations of PMCA in relation to three purposes of transport appraisal: decision aid, collective learning and legitimisation. We propose an analytical framework linking these purposes to trade-offs between methodological foci, including accuracy, transparency and practicality.,The analysis suggests that PMCA is valuable for structuring dialogue and fostering collective learning, but faces limitations when used as a formal decision-support tool. Four challenges emerged: framing transport problems as discrete choices; ensuring representative participation; eliciting reliable preference weights; and interpreting stakeholder-specific rankings when alternatives are uncertain, non-exhaustive or politically contested.,These challenges are not inherent to participation itself, but relate partly to ranking-based appraisal logics. In contested transport decision-making, problems are often better understood as iterative design problems than discrete choices. Stakeholder-disaggregated, impact-oriented approaches may therefore provide a more suitable basis for transport appraisal, deliberation and adaptive policy-making than methods aimed at producing a single aggregated ranking.

This study explores the behaviour of individuals regarding redistribution in a non-ergodic environment. By incorporating insights from geometric Brownian motions, we set up a stated preference experiment to shed light on decision-making processes in dynamics where time-averages diverge from ensemble averages. By focussing on time-averages, we propose a novel perspective on redistribution, challenging traditional expected utility theory. To strengthen our findings, we conducted two independent iterations of the experiment, each with 30 multiplicative gambles designed to juxtapose expected gains against the optimization of time-average growth in the context of redistribution. With these bets, we examine the tendency of human decision-makers ( n = 200 per experiment) to redistribute potential gains and losses, motivated primarily by self-interested growth and risk management rather than altruistic motives. Our findings support a potential inclination towards sharing, as evidenced by a willingness to adopt strategies that do not align with expected gains. The observed behaviour supports the hypothesis that an element of human decision-making prefers time-average optimization over expected outcomes. This insight enriches our understanding of decision-making and raises questions about the applicability of conventional rationality models in dynamic environments.

Climate Constellations adapt systemic constellation methods from family therapy to sustainability contexts, offering an experiential way to explore complex climate system dynamics. By engaging participants physically and emotionally in representing elements of socio-ecological systems, this approach can foster transformative learning and reveal hidden leverage points for change. We implemented Climate Constellations in several settings (a university sustainability course, professional workshops, a research team session, and an informal community group) to examine how this embodied systemic inquiry might shift participants’ perspectives. Qualitative observations and participant feedback consistently indicated heightened systems awareness, empathy, and personal engagement with climate issues. While careful facilitation is required, these case studies suggest Climate Constellations can be a powerful catalyst for reflection and learning in sustainability transitions.

An innovative, clean, and practical solution to overcome the lack of capacity of regular bikes compared to personal vehicles is the e-cargo bike. While most of the research on cargo bikes has been made on their usage for logistics purposes, only a few studies have been deepening into their personal mobility use. This paper aims to analyze and reveal the potential of regular cyclists to become cargo bike users by surveying a well-established cycling community that uses the services of the regional parking agency. Results show that among non-cargo bike users, 45% of them are potential users interested in using this innovative vehicle. The sample indicates that age, education, environmental awareness, and family situation related to children are factors that have a positive influence on cyclists to become cargo bike users. While the top barriers mentioned were associated to the lack of safe bike storage and cargo bike prices, motivators to use them are primarily related to benefits for the planet and money and timesaving.

Multi-criteria Decision Making (MCDM) involves evaluating alternatives based on a comprehensive set of conflicting criteria, often requiring the involvement of varied decision makers. This has led to the emergence of stakeholder-based multi-criteria group decision-making (MCGDM) frameworks. However, traditional MCGDM frequently overlooks the interactions and trade-offs among different actors and criteria. The Multi-actor Multi-criteria Analysis (MAMCA), developed in 2000, provides a transparent decision-making process explicitly considering these interrelationships. It allows diverse stakeholder groups to represent their priorities, thereby enhancing their understanding of their own and others’ positions. Over the past two decades, MAMCA has seen a significant rise in popularity and has been widely applied in diverse contexts, proving valuable as both a decision-making and stakeholder engagement tool. However, our analysis of publications on cases in which MAMCA was applied over the years shows that considerable variation exists in the overall process approach, contingent upon the specific goals and context. To address these variations, this paper proposes a modularized MAMCA structure, complemented by systematic application guidelines, to aid future users in navigating the process steps and identifying the most suitable methods for each step. Additionally, future research directions are suggested for potential enhancements to the MAMCA framework by integrating varied methodologies.

This article explores the integration of family or system constellations into climate education, a novel approach I termed ‘climate constellations’. Grounded in the understanding that education for sustainability extends beyond cognitive realms, this article delves into the necessity of engaging participants physically and emotionally in the process of transformative learning. System constellations provide a powerful tool for this purpose, as they allow us to navigate the intricate web of relationships and dynamics that contribute to the climate crisis. By embodying various elements of the climate system and engaging in experiential exercises, participants in climate constellations gain insights into the hidden interconnections and feedback loops that perpetuate the crisis. This approach aligns with Meadows’ philosophy, urging us to explore the systemic underpinnings of complex issues and identify leverage points where interventions can lead to transformative and sustainable change. The constellation approach has been tested several times in different setting and the feedback has been captured in this article. New avenues for applications and further research are described and explored.

The transport sector accounts for approximately a quarter of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions, with freight transport alone accounting for about one-third of the overall transport-related emissions. Mitigating the sector’s environmental impact is crucial for tackling climate change and achieving sustainable development goals. Modal shift is one of the main solutions to address this challenge; however, many companies have yet to realize its full potential. This paper presents a survey conducted in the Flanders region of Belgium, aiming to identify the challenges and barriers faced by industry players in this key geographical area and to explore the reasons behind the limited implementation of synchromodal transport among them. The survey evaluates the current state of synchromodal transport adoption and offers valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders aiming to enhance sustainability in the logistics sector. The findings emphasize that to overcome the identified challenges, both policy support and the companies’ commitment are required. Policy support includes establishing consistent regulations and promoting greener transport modes through providing incentives and technological advancements. This research contributes to the field by examining barriers to the adoption of synchromodality and exploring its application within the context of Flanders. By focusing on this strategic logistics hub, the study provides insights and recommendations tailored to the specific challenges of the region’s logistics sector. The challenges faced by industry players in Flanders offer a deeper understanding of modal shift dynamics, facilitating informed decision-making for policymakers and industry stakeholders. Implementing these strategies paves the way for more environmentally friendly, efficient, and integrated transport, benefiting both the industry and the planet.

Despite the presence of numerous navigable rivers in Brazil, they remain underutilized for Inland Waterway Transport (IWT). Given the recent changes in transport systems which aim to reduce reliance on highways due to their high cost and lack of sustainability, it becomes crucial to explore new transport models in Brazil, shifting part of the transport from roads to railways and mainly to waterways. To fill this gap in Brazil’s transport system, it was decided to check why waterways are little used and what challenges cause them to be underutilized and, additionally, what opportunities could leverage their use in the country. In this sense, in this study, we identify the biggest challenges and opportunities faced by IWT in Brazil. To achieve this objective, interviews were conducted using content analysis with managers who work in public and private IWT organizations active in Brazil. Results show that IWT has seen a recovery in interest in recent years due to the need for cheaper and greener logistics. It was also found that the main challenges that IWT faces are a lack of public policies followed by precarious infrastructure of waterways, ports and locks, as well as modest integration with other transport modes. Conversely, the most significant opportunity lies in the potential reduction in transport costs, coupled with the enhanced sustainability of transport activities via the utilization of IWT, thereby fostering greener transport practices. These results can contribute to a better understanding of practical and theoretical approaches related to IWT in Brazil, and they can serve as a reflection for new research focusing on the development of IWT especially in other emerging countries facing similar issues.