Evolving Priorities- From Expansion and Mobility to Accessibility and Sustainability : A case study of the Stockholm subway system

Sammanfattning

This thesis will examine how subway planning has shaped urban development in the larger Stockholm region and how planning goals and ideologies have evolved over time. It will argue that transport infrastructure is not only a technical solution, but also a valuable tool for influencing urban growth, social interaction, and wider societal change. By comparing planning documents from different periods, the study identifies both continuity and change in planning approaches. While efficiency and capacity remain central priorities, planning has increasingly developed to include social and environmental sustainability, reflecting a shift from just mobility-focused travel toward accessibility. The findings also show that change has been gradual rather than replacing earlier ideas completely, as institutional structures and historical practices continue to shape and influence planning. Overall, subway planning in Stockholm demonstrates how urban planning is a dynamic and contested process where new ideals coexist with established practices to improve mobility and travel.