Individual mobility for socially sustainable transport

Abstract

A socially sustainable transport system has to make sure that opportunities are accessible to all. The social dimension is important as transport-related barriers can contribute to social injustice. A well-functioning transport system should promote greater equity by linking people and places together. The discussion in this thesis revolves around the main concept of individual mobility. It refers to the ease with which an individual can move from one place to another to access opportunities. The main research objective of the thesis is to investigate the factors affecting individual mobility of three selected transport-disadvantaged groups, namely children, working mothers and the elderly.

The thesis presents three in-depth case studies within a framework of time geography. Each study highlights the individual mobility problems confronted by the selected transport-disadvantaged group. The first case study is a detailed investigation of children’s mobility to access educational opportunities. The next chapter examines gendered mobility of working mothers and their counterparts. Finally, a walkability study is carried out to evaluate how the walking environment affects outdoor mobility of the aging population. This research employs a suite of methods in evaluating individual mobility. Children’s access to educational opportunities is examined through the computation of the size of potential path area and the number of weighted opportunities reachable within given space-time constraints. To move on, multilevel analysis is carried out to compare the daily activity spaces of married couples. Finally, a walkability assessment is conducted to evaluate factors affecting older people’s access to health-care facilities. These approaches build up to a comprehensive and holistic view to explore the issue of socially sustainable transport.

By providing a more focused picture on the transport problems faced by groups which run the risks of being excluded in the mainstream transport development, this study has the potential to provide a new and comprehensive outlook in the theme of social sustainability in transport research. This thesis brings the social, spatial and temporal dimensions together in planning for a socially sustainable transport system. The results of each case study provide advice and develop initiatives to work towards a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable society. The findings from the chapter on children show that place disadvantage is an important issue to be addressed. For working mothers, the household responsibility hypothesis is evident, despite the compact city environment. The final chapter shows that active transport can benefit elderly citizens in a multitude of ways. More walkability assessments surrounding health-care and other opportunities should be looked into and audited. From the findings, the research concludes that the needs of these groups are not thoroughly addressed in Hong Kong, and related geographical research is also limited in the field. The urge to address the preferences and needs of these groups are of strategic

importance. Recommendations for future research include an improved understanding of the needs among an expanded range of stakeholders and depending on the locations in where they live.