Mobility injustice: focusing on individuals' everyday mobility experiences and capabilities (case study for a vulnerable neighbourhood in the Hague Southwest)

Abstract

This research deepens the understanding of issues of mobility injustice, related to accessibility, in context of vulnerable neighbourhoods in peri-urban areas. Through the use of a case study of a vulnerable neighbourhood in the Hague Southwest, this paper aims to add to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying the causes (accessibility barriers) and consequences (on the opportunities to access valued activities) of accessibility issues from a residents’ perspective, in the context of vulnerable neighbourhoods. This research adopts the Capabilities Approach as a technical tool, which has been gaining attention in considering issues of mobility injustice. Central to this approach is that it puts the emphasis on individuals’ opportunities to access valued activities (capabilities) instead of focusing on realised behaviour. Everyday mobility experiences can be used as an analytical tool to describe the relationship between mobilities and capabilities; it creates understanding in how mobility contributes to, or impedes, individuals’ opportunities to access valued out-of-home activities, and thereby affects one’s well-being. The focus on everyday mobility experiences and capabilities contributes to a deeper understanding of the nature of the problem from the perspective of a group for which currently very little is known. This is considered vital information for the effective design of solutions/policy instruments countering mobility injustice, relevant to accessibility.