Towards an accessibility indicator accounting for the individual quality of travel time
Jules Grandvillemin – Dir. Vincent Kaufmann & co-dir. Samuel Carpentier-Postel
The literature on accessibility often expresses the effort individuals must undertake to reach a destination in terms of instrumental rationality, namely the cheapest and quickest. From this perspective, the quality of time perceived when traveling, as opposed to its presumed disutility, requires more research. This work aims to enhance insight into it to enable the integration of more subjective reasons for impedance factors into accessibility measures. To this end, the study employs an analytical approach that considers the interrelationships between three key concepts (accessibility, motility, and rhythm) through the prism of two levels of analysis: (1) the socio-spatial structures (2) and the individuals. Furthermore, three established findings are the basis of the project: (i) Accessibility indicator metrics need to incorporate the logic of action, more in line with individual subjectivities, by integrating people’s abilities to move, which could also provide some insight into their ability to manage time pressures when they are mobile; (ii) The need to consider individual rhythmic aspirations through the prism of mobility projects (one the the three characteristics of motility) in all their diversity and to determine their associated carbon footprints; (iii) The notion of quality of time must be assessed through the prism of individual skills (another characteristic of motility) to discern the optimum conditions for their mobility and whether this contributes to their well-being. To analyze these findings, we will rely mainly on mixed methods to understand what makes the quality of time in mobility. A more quantitative approach will enable the development of an accessibility indicator, which will integrate motility and quality of time in the form of weights in impedance factors to relativize the effort associated with temporal variables such as travel time duration. The findings of this study will provide valuable insights into integrating individual subjectivities in an accessibility indicator, which can be used as a decision-support tool to support public measures at the level of socio-spatial structures that could promotes more socially equitable and ecologically sustainable territorial accessibility. The tool developed as an outcome of this research can also be used to support individuals in considering the criteria that facilitate quality time in their mobility while enhancing their aptitude to reach desired destinations.
Having fear: urban orders and the feeling of insecurity
Chloé Montavon – Dir. Vincent Kaufmann & co-dir. Sandra Mallet
This thesis focuses on the feeling of insecurity in the city, particularly at night, as a social phenomenon. It is based on a descriptive and comprehensive approach, taking into consideration not only common senses, but also the material and experiential dimensions of the urban environment. This project was born of two established observations: (1) processes of exclusion are at play in the public space at night, and are commonly associated with the insecurity that certain social groups may feel when they frequent it; and (2) only certain insecurities are the subject of public reflection to guarantee a safe space, and political arbitrations are therefore made that may affect certain social minorities. To observe these findings, we’ll be looking at the conditions of activation of the feeling of insecurity and the responses to it. We’ll be paying particular attention to the temporality of situations, especially at night, as this is a scene conducive to highlighting inequalities between social groups. To carry out this survey, we will rely on both quantitative and qualitative methodology, in order to apprehend the theme at the crossroads of its material and experiential dimensions. The results of this research will help to shed light on the social dimension of public space, in order to support public measures for a more inclusive city.
Mobility dependancy in rural-urban areas: the case of Creil and La Roche-sur-Foron
Over the past few decades, improvements in travel conditions have led to socio-spatial transformations, including urban sprawl and increasing distances between housing and workplaces. These spatial changes have led to significant social inequalities, such as limited access to fast travel modes, which highly depends on personal characteristics such as age, revenue, gender, etc. (Geurs, Van Wee, 2014) or to residential locations with good amenities or efficient public transport services. Both of these spatial transformations of urbanized areas and the social valuing of mobility have led to the increase need to travel more frequently, sometimes further, and faster (Kaufmann, 2008). This process of “mobility dependency” results in two forms of prejudice for precarious social groups: lack of accessibility for those who do not have access to mobility, or significant financial costs, difficult and longer travelling time for mobile people but severely constrained in their movements (Fol, Gallez, 2017).
In the 1990s, to counter the effects of car dependency and urban sprawl, Peter Calthrope developed the doctrine of “Transit Oriented Development” (TOD). While this model is mainly applied in dense urban areas, the European TOD IS RUR project, of which this research is part of, is interested in how this development model could be extended to sparsely urbanized areas. In this thesis, we are interested in the ability of a railway model to moderate mobility dependency in peri-urban and rural areas especially of people on modest incomes and particularly women.
This thesis is based on a comparison between two case studies: Creil, a commune located the outside fringes of the Ile de France region. It is strongly dependent on the metropolis which is reflected in the high rate of daily commuting. The second case study is the small town of “La Roche-sur-Foron,” located in the French peripheries of Geneva metropolis and served by the new Léman Express railway, the transborder French-Swiss infrastructure.
Making the difference by spatial practices (working title)
Sanja Platisa – Dir. Yves Pedrazzini & co-dir. Vincent Kaufmann
The rapid growth and high differentiation of urban population is challenging urban planning practice. Cities are characterized today with heterogeneous structure of inhabitants, diversity of cultures, nationalities, religions, languages etc. These differences are reflected as well in different spatial needs and practices of inhabitants.
Taking part in the SNSF Difference-Oriented Urban Planning project, the objective of this PhD thesis is to study the relationship between the form and use of urban space on one side, and complex identities of inhabitants on the other. For that purpose, it is focusing on perceptions of inhabitants originated from Balkan region, speaking Serbo-Croatian language. To reach the objective, data obtained through architectural spatial analysis combined with interviews and mental mapping methods will be used. The findings of the study are to be used later on in enabling participation processes in urban planning practice, with the aim to identify and promote practical measures that urban planners can implement to contribute in creating sustainable and inclusive urban territories.
Interdisciplinary research, in the framework of Diff-Urb project, will be done in 4 European cities (Geneva, Brussels, Turin and Hamburg) with different traditions of planning and models of governance, with a look back on Belgrade as a mirror case, relevant for the topic of the research.
Fixed terms. Sociology of the “home” challenged by flexibility : the case of Millennials subrenting or co-living in Geneva and London (working title)
Fiona Del Puppo – Dir. Luca Pattaroni & co-dir. Garance Clément (Morgan Centre, University of Manchester)
The thesis project dialogues with work sociology and housing sociology. It focuses first on the neoliberal flexibility ideal destabilizing the labor market. This ideal is also infusing all spheres of life, along with discourses fostering mobility, individual performance and self-accomplishment, even more for young individuals marketed as “Millennials”. They are going through an uncertain transition towards adulthood, as it is no longer established by traditional thresholds such as completion of studies, moving in with a partner, finding a stable job. We assume that the housing market answers this generation dealing with an increasing mobility and precarious employment status with flexible housing we define as shared and fixed-term: sub-renting and co-living. This research aims to sociologically study the distinctive methods employed to constitute a “home” within flexible housing as previously described. It relies on the study of this type of housing in Geneva and in London, using qualitative methods such as interviews and ethnographic observations, but it is also including original graphic observation and analysis methods valuable in the understanding of the spatial and material recompositions within the home. It focuses on the case of young individuals facing difficulties related to flexibilization, as it appears to offer a focus point from where to study wider social dynamics at stake. This thesis aims to renew the science of the “home”, along with the research project “Domotopy” on which it relies, that seeks to understand the effect of the transformations of life rhythms on the ways people live in and relate to their homes.
Motility as an asset for socio-professional integration (working title)
Éloi Bernier – Dir. Vincent Kaufmann & Rafael Lalive (HEC UNIL)
The scientific objective of this thesis, funded by the EPFL, is to develop an index measuring an individual’s ability to be mobile in order to integrate durably into the job market.
The index focuses on individual access, skills and mobility projects, related to the individual’s field of possibilities in terms of mobility and analysed in the perspective of his professional project. Its statistical construction allows the weight of each component within the index to be objectively weighted, based on data from a sample of jobseekers with a mobility coaching since 2021 provided by associations of the MOBIN network’s in several French regions.
Such an index can be used by the associations, among other things, to attest to the social impact of the coaching system for funders (by comparing the index at the beginning and end of the coaching). This index makes it possible to attest to the progress of recipients’ autonomy in more detail than by using the usual indicators, which are often binary and focused on obtaining a driving licence and finding a job.