Network for Mobility and Social Sustainability

In collaboration with Konnekt - Norway's National Centre for Competence on Mobility

Welcome to the Network for Mobility and Social Sustainability. The Network is an arena for the exchange of knowledge that addresses social issues related to mobility. It is a meeting place for building fruitful collaborations between individuals, organisations and institutions under the overarching themes of mobility and social sustainability.

• Why should I join?

  Social and cultural dimensions of mobility have been under-addressed in the topic of mobility and transportation. Politics and decision-making on transport are currently dominated by technological innovation and the modernization of infrastructure to respond to environmental and socio-economic challenges. Knowledge and debate that links social sustainability to mobility are lacking, both in research and education and in practice.

  This network offers an opportunity to develop innovative approaches to address these issues, both in research and in practice.

  The network is open for all interested institutions and individuals.

  The network is supported by Konnekt, Norway’s National Centre for Competence on Mobility

• Themes

  • Transport as a socio-cultural phenomenon
    
    In this network, we approach transport as a socio-cultural phenomenon rather then a technical one. This approach opens a perspective to investigate social and cultural questions about mobility and its role in social change rather than technical solutions for technical problems.
  • Social justice and mobility
    
    How can we support a just distribution of resources and accessibility to mobility? While transport is changing and developing both in terms of technology and infrastructure, plans and policies often under-address the question of who benefits (or who doesn't) from such developments - and for what reasons. As such, in this theme we address the issue of transport poverty.
  • Mobility and public health
    
    We seek to understand the link between social injustice and injustice in public health. Social and cultural differences related to mobility often have direct implications for public health, and vice versa. There is a strong (but under-addressed) relationship between healthy living, social justice and transport justice.
  • Social and cultural diversity
    
    This theme addresses the needs and experiences related to mobility in the everyday life of diverse social groups. We look closer into the nuances of a diverse society: What are the needs and the practices of different socio-demographic and different cultural groups? How can transport policy account for a more nuanced understanding of this society?
  • Mobility as society's signature
    
    What can we learn about our society, culture, values and world views from studying transportation policy, travel behaviour, urban and regional change, and other aspects of mobility? We are interested in the (re)production of discourses of mobility. What are society’s rationales and the values behind them? What drives and governs the development and planning of transportation? How do discourses of mobility influence transport policy and land-use planning?
  • Socio-technical change
    
    We focus on mobility as a socio-technical phenomenon, highlighting the relationship of socio-cultural dimensions, technology and infrastructure for transport and land use. How does the social and the cultural realm influence the development of technology and infrastructure, and vice versa?
  • Landscape and mobility
    
    How do landscapes of mobility influence people’s perceptions, identity and behaviour?
  • Working in transport
    
    What are the social dimensions of people working in transport? What is their role in a mobile society? What are their experiences and needs?
• Events and resources

  

  Social Sustainability & Mobility Day

  A meeting place for students and professionals to focus on social sustainability in the transport sector. How does mobility affect society, and vice versa? 16 October 2024 at NMBU, registration deadline 8 October.

  

  Think tank: Social sustainability and mobility
  

  Welcome to a workshop on social sustainability and mobility. The term 'social sustainability' can seem a bit woolly, comprehensive and complex. The aim of the workshop is to explore and shed light on the topic. 26 September 2024 in Oslo.

• Contact