LAUSR

Abstract Urban ropeways are a novel option in public transport, using established technology known from the mountains to deliver public transport in urban areas. Generally seen as environmentally friendly with a small ecological footprint, the potential of urban ropeways has not yet been demonstrated in Germany. Applying the ‘multi-level perspective’ established in transition research, we analyse challenges in the diffusion process. Results are based on 14 interviews with transport planning experts, ropeway manufacturers and actors from cities with urban ropeway projects. The following major obstacles are identified: (1) restricted route layout and interferences with urban landscapes inherently narrowing the niche for urban ropeways, (2) frequent lack of a clear concept of how the urban ropeway will connect with the existing public transport system, (3) established actor constellations and planning routines in the public transport regime blocking off the take-up of urban ropeways, and (4) increasing public opposition against infrastructure investment projects in general. At the same time, a number of drivers stimulate the diffusion process: (1) flagship projects and events can showcase urban ropeways, (2) the public transport regime generally experiences a pressure to become more innovative, leading to (3) regime actors themselves discovering urban ropeways as an interesting option, and (4) a stimulating effect is expected from the first urban ropeways to be actually implemented in Germany. Overall, the diffusion process is still at an early stage, but our results illustrate a wide-spread expectation that urban ropeways will become part of the German public transport repertoire in the future.