Skip to main content
View expanded cover

Understanding Mobilities for Designing Contemporary Cities pp 171–190Cite as

Transport Disadvantage, Car Dependence and Urban Form

Part of the Research for Development book series (REDE)

Abstract

In a more mobile world, the ability to cover greater distances and access to motorised means of transport are increasingly important for access to services and opportunities and, as a result, for social status and inclusion. In this chapter, we put forward an integrated conceptualisation of transport disadvantage, based on an extensive literature review and on insights from our own research. Given the dominance and the structuring power of car-based mobility in developed societies, we sketch a typology of different forms of car-related transport disadvantage, which allows us to show how access problems vary considerably in relation to car ownership and use. Given the important relationships between transport disadvantage, urban structure and the built environment, we then illustrate the spatial dimension of all forms of car-related transport disadvantage and demonstrate the role of urban socio-spatial configurations (i.e. patterns in the distribution of different social groups within metropolitan areas) in compounding or alleviating these issues. In the concluding section, we briefly review the policy options to tackle transport disadvantage, providing concrete examples of the measures proposed and implemented in a number countries.

Keywords

  • Transport disadvantage
  • Social exclusion
  • Car dependence
  • Urban form
  • Accessibility
  • Transport policy

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-22578-4_10
  • Chapter length: 20 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-319-22578-4
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Notes

  1. 1.

    Debates around the precise definition of social exclusion are reviewed in Levitas (2006).

  2. 2.

    Significantly, these are also the social groups generally considered more at risk of social exclusion more broadly, as well as the most likely not to own cars (Mattioli 2014a).

  3. 3.

    There is value, however, in explicitly considering the similarities and interrelationships between questions of affordability in the transport and domestic energy sectors (see Mattioli 2015).

  4. 4.

    Beyond its original understanding, the notion of car dependence is used in a variety of different ways in transport research (Mattioli et al. forthcoming).

  5. 5.

    However, this conclusion crucially depends on the assumption that workplaces and services are strongly concentrated in inner cities. Where this does not apply, as in American cities, the inner city poor suffer from a spatial mismatch between housing and job opportunities, as well as from an automobile mismatch, whereby they are unable to afford the cars required to access them (Taylor and Ong 1995).

  6. 6.

    See e.g. http://womo.mvv-muenchen.de/, http://womo-rechner.hamburg.de/, www.e-mob.fr, http://www.mobilitaetsausweis.at/.

References

  • Allemand, S. (2008). Apprendre la mobilité. Les ateliers mobilité: une expérience originale. Paris: Le Cavalier Bleu.

    Google Scholar 

  • BBSR. (2009). Chancen und Risiken steigender Verkehrskosten für die Stadt- und Siedlungsentwicklung unter Beachtung der Aspekte der postfossilen Mobilität. BBSR-Online-Publikation 06/2009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blumenberg, E., & Manville, M. (2004). Beyond the spatial mismatch: Welfare recipients and transport policy. Journal of Planning Literature, 19, 182–205. doi:10.1177/0885412204269103.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Boden, D., & Molotch, H. (1994). The compulsion to proximity. In R. Friedland & D. Boden (Eds.), Nowhere. Space, time and modernity. Berkeley: University of California Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cass, N., Shove, E., & Urry, J. (2005). Social exclusion, mobility and access. The Sociological Review, 53(3), 539–555. doi:10.1111/j.1467.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Chatman, D., & Voorhoeve, N. (2010). The transportation-credit mortgage: A post-mortem. Housing Policy Debate, 20(3), 355–382. doi:10.1080/10511481003788786.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Colleoni, M. (2013). Mobility, accessibility and social equity: A comparative and interdisciplinary empirical study in the metropolitan areas of Milan, Bologna and Turin. In D. Henckel, S. Thomaier, B. Könecke, R. Zedda, & S. Stabilini (Eds.), Space-time design of the public city (pp. 137–156). Berlin: Springer.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Curl, A., Nelson, J. D., & Anable, J. (2011). Does accessibility planning address what matters? A review of current practice and practitioner perspectives. Research in Transportation Business & Management, 2, 3–11. doi:10.1016/j.rtbm.2011.07.001.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Currie, G. (Ed.). (2011). New perspectives and methods in transport and social exclusion research. Emerald: Bingley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie, G., & Delbosc, A. (2010). Modelling the social and psychological impacts of transport disadvantage. Transportation, 37(6), 953–966. doi:10.1007/s11116-010-9280-2.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Currie, G., & Delbosc, A. (2011). Mobility vs. affordability as motivations for car-ownership choice in urban fringe, low-income Australia. In K. Lucas, E. Blumenberg, & R. Weinberger (Eds.), Auto motives. Understanding car use behaviours (pp. 193–208). Bingley: Emerald.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dargay, J. M. (2002). Determinants of car ownership in rural and urban areas: A pseudo-panel analysis. Transportation Research Part E, 38, 351–366. doi:10.1016/S1366-5545(01)00019-9.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Dodson, J., & Sipe, N. (2007). Oil vulnerability in the Australian city: Assessing socioeconomic risks from higher urban fuel prices. Urban Studies, 44(1), 37–62. doi:10.1080/00420980601023810.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • European Commission. (2014). EU Transport in figures. Statistical pocketbook 2014. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ewing, R., & Cervero, R. (2010). Travel and the built environment. A meta-analysis. Journal of the American Planning Association, 76(3), 265–294. doi:10.1080/01944361003766766.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Farber, S., & Páez, A. (2009). My car, my friends, and me: a preliminary analysis of automobility and social activity participation. Journal of Transport Geography, 17(3), 216–225. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2008.07.008.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Farber, S., & Páez, A. (2011). Running to stay in place: The time-use implications of automobile oriented land-use and travel. Journal of Transport Geography, 19(4), 782–793. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2010.09.008.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Fol, S., Dupuy, G., & Coutard, O. (2007). Transport policy and the car divide in the UK, the US and France: Beyond the environmental debate. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 31(4), 802–818. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2427.2007.00755.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Gallez, C., & Kaufmann, V. (Eds.). (2010). Mythes et pratiques de la coordination urbanisme-transport. Regards croisés sur quatres agglomérations suisses et françaises. INRETS.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleeson, B., & Randolph, B. (2002). Social disadvantage and planning in the Sidney context. Urban Policy and Research, 20, 101–107. doi:10.1080/08111140220131636.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Hine, J., & Grieco, M. (2003). Scatters and clusters in time and space: Implications for delivering integrated and inclusive transport. Transport Policy, 10, 299–306. doi:10.1016/S0967-070X(03)00055-6.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Jouffe, Y., Massot, & M. H. (2013). Vulnérabilités sociales dans la transition énergétique au croisement de l’habitat et de la mobilité quotidienne. 1er Congrès Interdisciplinaire du Development Durable. Available at: https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00852513. Accessed in July 17, 2015.

  • Kaufmann, V., Bergman, M. M., & Joye, D. (2004). Motility: Mobility as capital. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 28(4), 745–756. doi:10.1111/j.0309-1317.2004.00549.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kenyon, S., Lyons, G., & Rafferty, J. (2002). Transport and social exclusion: Investigating the possibility of promoting inclusion through virtual mobility. Journal of Transport Geography, 10(3), 207–219. doi:10.1016/S0966-6923(02)00012-1.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Kesteloot, C. (2005). Urban socio-spatial configurations and the future of European cities. In Y. Kazepov (Ed.), Cities of Europe. Changing contexts, local arrangements, and the challenge to urban cohesion (pp. 123–148). Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knowles, R. D. (2006). Transport shaping space: Differential collapse in time-space. Journal of Transport Geography, 14(6), 407–425. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2006.07.001.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Le Breton, E. (2004a). Exclusion et immobilité: la figure de l’insulaire. In J.-P. Orfeuil (Ed.), Transports, pauvretés, exclusions. Pouvoir bouger pour s’en sortir. Paris: Editions de l’aube.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Breton, E. (2004b). Nouveaux problèmes de mobilité, nouveaux acteurs? L’aide à la mobilité dans le secteur de l’insertion sociale et professionelle. In J. P. Orfeuil (Ed.), Transports, pauvretés, exclusions. Paris: Pouvoir bouger pour s’en sortir. Editions de l’aube.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levitas, R. (2006). The concept and measurement of social exclusion. In C. Pantazis, C. Gordon, & R. Levitas (Eds.), Poverty and social exclusion in Britain. Bristol: The Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Litman, T. (2015). Affordable-accessible housing in a dynamic city. Why and how to increase affordable housing in accessible neighborhoods. Victoria Transport Policy Institute: Victoria.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovelace, R., & Philips, I. (2014). The ‘oil vulnerability’ of commuter patterns: A case study from Yorkshire and the Humber, UK. Geoforu, 51, 169–182. doi:10.1016/j.geoforum.2013.11.005.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, K. (Ed.) (2004). Running on empty. Transport, social exclusion and environmental justice. Bristol: The Policy Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, K. (2012). Transport and social exclusion: Where are we now? Transport Policy, 20, 105–113. doi:10.1016/j.tranpol.2012.01.013.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, K., & Jones, P. (2012). Social impacts and equity issues in transport: An introduction. Journal of Transport Geography, 21, 1–3. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2012.01.032.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, K., & Markovich, J. (2011). International perspectives. In G. Currie (Ed.), New perspectives and methods in transport and social exclusion research (pp. 223–239). Emerald: Bingley.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, K., Tyler, S., & Christodoulou, G. (2008). The value of new transport in deprived areas. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martens, K. (2006). Basing transport planning on principles of social justice. Berkley Planning Journal, 19(1), 1–17. doi:10.1007/s11116-012-9388-7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattioli, G. (2013a). Car dependence, sustainability and the transport policy stalemate: The potential trade-offs between intra- and inter-generational equity. The International Journal of Sustainability Policy and Practic, 8(1), 45–57.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Mattioli, G. (2013b). Where sustainable transport and social exclusion meet. Households without cars and car dependence in Germany and Great Britain (PhD thesis). Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattioli, G. (2014a). Where sustainable transport and social exclusion meet: Households without cars and car dependence in Great Britain. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 16(3), 379–400. doi:10.1080/1523908X.2013.858592.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Mattioli, G. (2014b). ‘How the transport system ought to be’: Revisiting transport & social exclusion research in light of energy justice concerns. Paper presented at the RGS Annual Conference 2014, London, August 26–29, 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mattioli, G. (2015). Energy-related economic stress at the interface between transport, housing and fuel poverty: A multinational study. 2nd International Days of Sociology of Energy, 254–257. Available at http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/87866/. Accessed in September 8, 2015.

  • Mattioli, G., Anable, J., Vrotsou, K. (forthcoming). Car dependent practices: Findings from a sequence pattern mining study of UK time use data. Transportation Research Part A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Motte-Baumvol, B., Massot, M. H., & Byrd, A. M. (2010). Escaping car dependence in the outer suburbs of Paris. Urban studies, 47(3), 604–619. doi:10.1177/0042098009349773.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Mullen, C., Tight, M., Whiteing, A., & Jopson, A. (2014). Knowing their place on the roads: What would equality mean for walking and cycling? Transportation Research Part A, 61, 238–248. doi:10.1016/j.tra.2014.01.009.

    Google Scholar 

  • Münter, A. (2013). Informations- und Wahrnehmungslücken von Stadt-Umland-Wanderern bei der Wohnstandortwahl. In j. Scheiner, H. H. Blotevogel, S. Frank, C. Holz-Rau, & N. Schuster (Eds.), Mobilitäten und Immobilitäten. Menschen – Ideen – Dinge – Kulturen – Kapital (pp. 263–275). Essen: Klartext.

    Google Scholar 

  • Næss, P. (2006). Urban structure matters. Residential location, car dependence and travel behaviour. New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman, P., & Kenworthy, J. (1999). Sustainability and cities. Overcoming automobile dependence. Washington, DC: Island Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nicolas, J. P., Vanco, F., & Verry, D. (2012). Mobilité quotidienne et vulnerabilité des menages. Revue d’Economie Regionale & Urbaine, 1, 19–44. doi:10.3917/reru.121.0019.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Paaswell, R. E., & Recker, W. W. (1976). Problems of the carless. Report prepared for the U.S.. Washington, DC: Department of Transportation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polacchini, A., & Orfeuil, J. P. (1999). Les dépenses des ménages franciliens pour le logement et les transports. Recherche Transports Sécurité, 63, 31–46.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Rendall, S., Page, S., & Krumdieck, S. (2014). Voila! A new measure of oil vulnerability for cities. Paper presented at the 1st International e-Conference on Energies, March 14–31, 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • SEU. (2003). Making the connections: Final report on transport and social exclusion. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sexton, S., Wu, J., & David, Z. (2012). How high gas prices triggered the housing crisis: Theory and empirical evidence. University of California, Center for Energy and Environmental Economics Working Paper Series. Berkeley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siedentop, S., Roos, S., & Fina, S. (2013). Ist die „Autoabhängigkeit“ von Bewohnern städtischer und ländlicher Siedlungsgebiete messbar? Entwicklung und Anwendung eines Indikatorenkonzepts in der Region Stuttgart. Raumforschung und Raumordnung, 71, 329–341. doi:10.1007/s13147-013-0240-0.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, N., Hirsch, D., & Davis, A. (2012). Accessibility and capability: The minimum transport needs and costs of rural households. Journal of Transport Geography, 21, 93–101.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, J., & Stanley, J. (2007). Public transport and social exclusion: An operator’s perspective. In G. Currie, J. Stanley, & J. Stanley (Eds.), No way to go. Transport and social disadvantage in Australian communities (pp. 14.1–14.11). Clayton: Monash University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, J., Stanley, J., Vella-Brodrick, D. A., & Currie, G. (2010). The place of transport in facilitating social inclusion via the mediating influence of social capital. Research in Transportation Economics, 29, 280–286. doi:10.1016/j.retrec.2010.07.035.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, O., & Gershuny, J. (2004). Inconspicuous consumption. Work-rich, time-poor in the liberal market economy. Journal of Consumer Culture, 4(1), 79–100. doi:10.1177/1469540504040905.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, J., Barnard, M., Neil, H., & Creegan, C. (2009). The travel choices and needs of low income households: The role of the car. The National Centre for Social Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, B. D., & Ong, P. D. (1995). Spatial mismatch or automobile mismatch? An examination of rase, residence and commuting in US metropolitan areas. Urban Studies, 32(9), 1453–1473. doi:10.1080/00420989550012348.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Unbehaun, W., & Uhlmann, T. (2013). Chancengerechtigkeit im Mobilitätsalltag - eine messbare Größe? In J. Scheiner, H. H. Blotevogel, S. Frank, C. Holz-Rau, & N. Schuster (Eds.), Mobilitäten und Immobilitäten: Menschen - Ideen - Dinge - Kulturen – Kapita (pp. 181–194). Essen: Klartext.

    Google Scholar 

  • Urry, J. (2002). Mobility and proximity. Sociology, 36(2), 255–274. doi:10.1177/0038038502036002002.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Urry, J. (2004). The ‘system’ of automobility. Theory, Culture & Society, 21(4–5), 25–39. doi:10.1177/0263276404046059.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Velaga, N. R., Beecroft, M., Nelson, J. D., Corsar, D., & Edwards, P. (2012). Transport poverty meets the digital divide: Accessibility and connectivity in rural communities. Journal of Transport Geography, 21, 102–112. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2011.12.005.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, J. (2008). Purpose-driven public transport: Creating a clear conversation about public transport goals. Journal of Transport Geography, 16(6), 436–442. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2008.06.005.

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

    Giulio Mattioli

  2. University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy

    Matteo Colleoni

Authors
  1. Giulio Mattioli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Matteo Colleoni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giulio Mattioli .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. DAStU, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, Italy

    Paola Pucci

  2. Department of Sociology and Social Research, The University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy

    Matteo Colleoni

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mattioli, G., Colleoni, M. (2016). Transport Disadvantage, Car Dependence and Urban Form. In: Pucci, P., Colleoni, M. (eds) Understanding Mobilities for Designing Contemporary Cities. Research for Development. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-22578-4_10

Download citation