Awaring, Assessing, and Addressing: a theoretical planning framework for mitigating mobility injustices - A bike-sharing application -

Keywords: equity, planning, mobility, awareness, inequality
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Mobility resources are limited; thus, they are distributed according to certain criteria. When the criteria of distribution are not in line with the perception of justice of the affected people, resistance towards mobility services may lead to their rejection or even failure. The aim of this research is to develop a theoretical planning framework: “Awareness, Assessment, and Addressing”, for including an equity criterion (broader justice focus) when planning mobility services. First, the equity criterion may have more importance after fostering awareness and empathy in decision-makers. Then, an assessment can determine which social groups are prioritized or not in the distribution of mobility resources, to finally, search for solutions to address the potential mobility injustices. The theory underlying this framework has its foundation and application on the researcher’s own experience in developing a method for planning bike-sharing. First, the qualitative analysis of social media posts on bike-sharing led to the author's awareness and empathy, which served as the inspiration for integrating equity criteria in the planning method. Then, in Munich-Germany, the application of a mixed-methods approach assessed which social groups and regions were or felt excluded from bike-sharing. Finally, based on the awareness and assessment, the author developed a method for allocating bike-sharing stations by balancing demand and equity criteria (addressing). This theoretical framework and its application may serve as basis for further applications in the distribution of mobility resources, including an equity criterion and potentially mitigating mobility injustices.