Dejan Petkov explores the tramway renaissance in Western Europe from a socio-technical standpoint and focuses on the development in Germany, France, and England. A multiple case analysis reveals the drivers, impact forces, actors and interest constellations behind the tramway renaissance in these countries and demonstrates the large variations in local systems and their style. A key finding is that there can be quite different paths to the success of tramway systems, but this success usually comes at a cost and can have a comprehensive character only if the systems are considered an integral part of the overarching strategies and concepts for urban and regional development. Contents A socio-technical framing of the tramway renaissance Characteristics of the international tramway renaissance The gradual and multifaceted development of tramway systems in Germany The emergence of the modern French tramway as a socio-technical novelty The uneven path of tramway development in England Appropriation of tramway and light rail technology Target Groups Researchers and students of transport studies, spatial planning, and geography Experts of local transport planning authorities, public transport companies The Author Dejan Petkov is a transport planning officer in Darmstadt and focuses on public transport planning and policy issues. He received his doctoral degree from the Technical University of Darmstadt.