Improving Community Wellbeing through transport policy: a literature review and theoretical framework, based on the Capability Approach

Marco van Burgsteden*, Anna Grigolon, Karst Geurs

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
73 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Transport policies affect the quality of life and social wellbeing of citizens and communities; incorporating such impacts in policy and decision making, however, remains a challenge. This paper aims to: (1) present a systematic literature review that links transport policy to Community Wellbeing using the Capability Approach by Sen and Nussbaum, and (2) using that basis, establish a theoretical framework to systematically address Community Wellbeing impacts of municipal transport policies. This can improve qualitative assessments of policy interventions on multiple dimensions, such as safety, health, the (built) environment and accessibility, and inequalities within those dimensions. Using existing literature on the Capability Approach, Community Wellbeing dimensions can indeed successfully be integrated in transport policies. Additional tools and theories, such as the Theory of Change, are needed to structure relations between the sociotechnical transport system and the policy process. For analyses and assessment of policy interventions, additions from the affordances theory, potential accessibility, activity spaces, and sufficientarianism are needed to finalise the framework. Further development and testing of the framework is recommended. The most prominent research gaps are processes to set thresholds for sufficient accessibility, as well as potential limits to mobility behaviours through collective capabilities.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1161-1186
Number of pages26
JournalTransport reviews
Volume44
Issue number6
Early online date9 Jul 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2024

Keywords

  • UT-Hybrid-D
  • Capability Approach
  • Community Wellbeing
  • transport policy
  • threshold setting
  • sufficient accessibility
  • excessive mobility

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