Evaluating active mobility: enhancing the framework for social sustainability

Keywords: Urban planning, Sustainability, Behavioural change, Review

Abstract

Active mobility plays a crucial role in reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, promoting well-being, good health, and fostering social equality, all of which align with the concept of social sustainability within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, assessing the impact of active mobility on social sustainability remains challenging due to the lack of clear identification of the specific SDGs influenced by it. This review analyses how previous articles quantify active mobility, its antecedents, and impacts. Additionally, it aims to find if any impacts can contribute to defining Social Sustainability. A Rapid Evident Assessment method was employed in this research in two databases: PsycINFO and Scopus. Out of the first pool of 61 papers, 19 articles were selected. The findings provide a comprehensive framework of the variables that influence active mobility and those influenced by it. Active mobility predominantly contributes to addressing the 11th, 10th and 3rd SDGs. Furthermore, the social sustainability quantification can benefit from assessing active mobility impacts. This work also identifies knowledge gaps, offering valuable guidance for future research in the field.

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Author Biographies

Giuseppe Rainieri, University of Brescia; Department Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics

PhD Candidate at the University of Brescia, Master of Science in Work and Organizational Psychology. His research work is focused on the Social Sustainability assessment techniques and frameworks, consistently with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Martina Carra, University of Brescia; Department Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics

Architect, Assistant Professor (non-tenure track position) in Transportation at the University of Brescia, Ph.D. in Civil Engineering and Architecture at the University of Parma. Her research interests include Integration between urban planning, urban design and sustainable mobility, Accessibility, Geographic Information Systems and Urban Regeneration.

Anna Richiedei, University of Brescia; Department Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics

Environmental Engineer, Ph.D., Associate professor of Town and regional planning at the University of Brescia, where she teaches Analysis of urban and regional systems, Ethics for environmental sustainability and Procedures for evaluating plans and projects. Her main research fields are: regional and urban planning, sustainability of urban settlement, environmental assessments and soil consumption containment.

Michele Pezzagno, ity of Brescia; Department Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics

PhD, Associate Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Brescia. She is heading the University research centre on the Agenda 2030. Her research activity is focused on technical planning tools for sustainable development in urbanized areas. Author of more than 130 publications her teaching activity is dealing with participatory planning and citizens' engagement in sustainable planning.

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Published
2024-07-26
How to Cite
RainieriG., CarraM., RichiedeiA., & PezzagnoM. (2024). Evaluating active mobility: enhancing the framework for social sustainability. TeMA - Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, (3), 113-128. https://doi.org/10.6093/1970-9870/10912
Section
Special Issue - New challenges for sustainable urban mobility