The potential in moving mobility planning towards a feminine mobility concept

Abstract

For a century, transport systems have been governed by masculine norms, constraining both women and men within the conditions and mobility behaviour it has established. This article explores the potential implications of adopting feminine norms for mobility and transport systems. Current masculine mobility norms are contested by investigating what including a feminine mobility concept would entail and lead to. The feminine mobility concept is based on documented differences for men and women in mobility behaviour and attitudes towards transport sustainability issues. The potential effects of applying a feminine mobility concept are tested by a climate emission calculation using current travel behaviours in Sweden. Multiday travel behaviour data collected from 475 randomised participants adding up 13 160 days was used to compare present travel behaviour in situations where the transport system reflects women’s attitudes and preferences in planning and policy as well as travel behaviour. The test showed that including a feminine mobility concept would lead to a 33 % reduction of CO2-emissions from passenger land-based transport compared to the current transport system. In the calculation a sustainability potential is uncovered that simply cannot be ignored. We assert that the transport sector cannot truly claim to be gender equal until sustainability becomes a central focus and receive consideration in all aspects of the transport system planning and policy. This includes introducing policy measures that address sustainability issues in the transport sector not only from masculine but also feminine perspectives.

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