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Mobility in relation to society; how to make sense of its complex web
#1
‘Which area of mobility are you focusing on?’ is often the question that follows the announcement of a new mobility-related initiative, including one such as ours – the TU Delft Mobility|Society.
However, it is this exact line of questioning that emphasises the challenges that the Mobility|Society movement faces.
‘Mobility is much more than the medium of transportation…’
The Mobility|Society Initiative seeks to develop a shared understanding of mobility that goes well beyond its ‘traditional’ and ‘dominant’ conceptions. At the initiative’s core, rests the notion that mobility should not be looked at as a product of industrialisation, but rather as one of the underlying processes that shapes relations and structures within society. In other words, mobility is much more than the medium of transportation (i.e., cars, trains, planes) or even the means by which they are managed (i.e., passports, migration, fuel, efficiency).
‘Even more questions’
Thus, it is entirely reasonable to ask: what exactly is mobility then? To which, for now, we respond with even more questions. While our general inference of mobility encapsulates ‘all movement with intention’ (Adey, P. (2017). Mobility. Routledge.), we are in the process of researching the relations between mobility and society to greater understand, define, and vocalise the role and potential of mobility.
‘The bigger picture'
To show how you assist us in understanding the complex relations between mobility and society, let’s look at the recent Mobility|Society workshop at Dutch Design Week 2021 in Eindhoven. During the workshop, attendees were asked to consider supporting and opposing arguments for travelling via plane or car without any geographical destination. They were then asked to map out their arguments on a large piece of paper, encompassing any conditions (i.e., economic, political, biological, cultural, or technological) that might relate one argument to another. Finally, the group was asked to reflect on the identified relationships between mobility and society and consider whether their arguments would still be relevant in 20 years.
‘The conventional constraints on the concept of mobility’
The workshop left us with interesting insights. The conventional constraints surrounding the concept of mobility were challenged. The arguments relating to people’s needs extended into a complex web of relations. Participants touched upon social cohesion, the existence of a comfort society, the consideration of differing target groups, and the modes of privileges that determine access. The theme of ‘needs’ was further broadened to include the economic web ofdemand and supply, pushes for creative business models, movement of resources, and the non-sustainable nature of endless consumption. This theme of connections continued into areas like political interests, geopolitical trades, advancements of technologies, and consideration for our ecology.
‘More critical questions’
Participants questioned the complex relationships between their mobility expertise and other societal conditions - varying from education and technology to the way we raise our children. It was inspiring to see that the visualised complexity of mobility was added to by the participants’ own interpretation of how one aspect of mobility can engender so much within society. And what is even more exciting is that their mapping has added yet another piece to the puzzle...
We aim to continue uncovering pieces to the puzzle, in order to thoroughly understand the true depth of this topic. We will continue to construct a framework that can be used to navigate the complex web that is ‘mobility and society’. Stay tuned for more updates.
TU Delft moving mobility forward
TU Delft | Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering aims to move forward design research in the field of mobility. The Mobility | Society initiative offers a platform for a new conversation. As designers looking at a complex future, we ask what role will mobility play in defining the way we move as society? In theory and practice.
At Delft University of Technology, we recognise that climate change, economic growth and urbanisation bring with them social challenges. TU Delft is working on innovative solutions for liveable, accessible and resilient cities with the aim of maintaining or creating an attractive and safe living environment for residents of (delta) regions at home and abroad. An integrated approach to infrastructure, water safety, smart mobility and the natural and built environment offers the best guarantee for finding answers to the challenges. Mobility | Society finds its roots in the deep knowledge that TU Delft researchers have to offer.