Investigation of the role of ‘mobilities of care’ in city transportation planning and practice.

Abstract

Is city transportation design a two-way street? City designs shape how residents interact with the built environment. In the transportation space, designs translate into decisions such as catching buses to reach classes, using rideshare services to commute to work, or cycling to social gatherings. Built environments less supportive of active travel may result in parents driving their children to events, and school buses predominantly serving the neighborhood's school-going children. Therefore, built environments undoubtedly impact the daily routines of city residents. However, how do the needs of city residents influence city planning? The term "mobilities of care" recently coined by Ines Sanchez de Madariaga encompasses the daily travel associated with caregiving. This includes non-paid care provided to other individuals, such as picking up and dropping off children to/from school or helping a friend with grocery. Mobilities of care are care-related, and integral to our daily lives, as care is a fundamental component of human existence. Yet, a question remains: are care-related trips a consideration in cities’ transportation plans? And are caregiver needs sufficiently considered?

This project aims to undertake a policy scan of how cities across Canada address the mobilities of care in their policy and planning activities. In addition to answering this question via a policy scan, it is imperative to explore what mobilities of care entail, identify who is affected by mobilities of care, and discuss how cities can be investigated regarding where and how cities may address mobilities of care in their policy and practice.