The New Urban Acupuncture: Intermodal Nodes between Theory and Practice

Abstract

The intermodal nodes, as important interchange areas of contemporary cities, represent one of the most vibrant and challenging elements of the current urban transformations. Frequently considered as initiators or generators of further urban and regional connectivity, accessibility and development, they are excellent experimental polygons for new planning strategies. Thus, the intermodal areas, originally perceived as marginal zones and used as the basic transportation support, upgrade their mono-functional background introducing the globally recognizable set of activities. The main idea of this process is to create an improved urban system, based upon latest technologies and proclaimed imperatives of urban efficiency, competitiveness and sustainability. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present and analyze context, content and implications of intermodality and the transformations caused by this concept. Obviously, the structural, social and economic interchange have been achieved in numerous cases, but a total integration, real sustainability and an acceptable mode of applied technology still have to be confirmed in the future.