A planning history of high-speed rail in Italy

Abstract

The paper examines the planning history of the Italian high-speed rail (HSR) network through three main perspectives: the distinction between service-driven and infrastructure-driven planning paradigms, the characteristics of infrastructure megaprojects, and the debates surrounding core and periphery regions. It divides this planning history into four key phases spanning nearly four decades, each marked by shifts in governance and planning philosophy. The paper evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of each phase, focusing not only on outcomes but also on the coherence of planning efforts. The Italian case serves as a basis for a broader discussion on the challenges of infrastructure-centered planning in rail transport.