Changing Mobilities

Climate Change demands a rapid and radical response. Mobility systems the world over must change; and they are changing. Massive global efforts are underway to make transport more sustainable. However, this is mainly focused on technological solutions, and the scale and pace of change is insufficient. The deep inequalities of existing and changing mobility systems amplify the challenge. So how can we change mobilities better? Which are the areas where ‘better’ matters most? And what approaches can we take – given that many initiatives are already under way? What more can we do? And, most importantly, how can we do it fairly?

Changing Mobilities takes the reader on a journey, beginning with the imperative to act. Büscher and Marsden reflect on the struggle for radical transformation between activism and vested interests. It becomes clear why change is so hard, and so strongly resisted, generating deep inter and intra-generational inequities. But alongside the technocratic macro narratives of ‘sustainable’ hypermobility there are many initiatives that build alternative mobilities of buen vivir, or good living, in harmony with nature. Büscher and Marsden highlight the need to change not just behaviours but cultural structures of feeling and institutions. They offer a critically hopeful reading of how to overcome the barriers to radical change through agonistic dialogue and experimentation. Change is inevitable as a result of climate change, and there is huge momentum for positive change. Büscher and Marsden argue that a more adaptive and radical footing can be found to enable equitable and sustainable mobile lives.

Changing Mobilities is aimed at researchers, practitioners and citizens who want to bring about positive change for their communities. It allows a deep dive into the systemic problem of climate change, but also provides examples of how research can work with communities to both think and act differently.

The Open Access version of this book, available at http://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons [Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC BY)] 4.0 license.

Monika Büscher is Emerita Professor of Sociology at Lancaster University, UK. Her interdisciplinary research on mobilities explores low-carbon transport innovation, the informationalization of emergency response and risk governance, IT ethics in information sharing, and infrastructuring equitable urban futures. She has led research in range of national and international projects (DecarboN8, GREAT, BRIDGE, SecInCoRe). She has published many articles and books, including Ethnograpies of Diagnostic Work, Mobile Methods, and Design Research. Synergies from Interdisciplinary Perspectives. She edits the book series Changing Mobilities (Routledge) with Peter Adey.

Greg Marsden is Professor of Transport Governance at the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds. He has researched issues surrounding the design and implementation of new policies for over 20 years covering a range of issues. He is an expert in climate and energy policy in the transport sector and the governance of smart mobility. He is currently exploring the role of place in the energy transition and the potential for transformative post car-ownership futures.