Bridging citizen and stakeholder perspectives of sustainable mobility through practice-oriented design

Abstract

Transitions toward more sustainable mobility are necessary and involve changes in complex constellations of mobility-related practices. To understand opportunities for moving in this direction, there is a need to explore both the consumption side of sustainable mobility practices and the perspective of stakeholders that provide products, services, infrastructures, and policies required for such practices. This article contributes to a discussion of critical aspects of sustainable mobility practices in relation to the responsibilities and concerns of stakeholders with power to influence these practices. We present four sets of design concepts for supporting car-free living which were formulated and co-created based on a practice-oriented analysis of a one-year study of three families in Stockholm, Sweden that replaced their cars with light electric vehicles. The design concepts bring forward elements of sustainable mobility with a focus on: trying out new mobility practices, cycling infrastructure, childfriendly public transport, and transporting stuff. Furthermore, we discussed the concepts with public and private sector stakeholders and examined their interests in particular practices. Also considered are how the responsibilities of different stakeholders may clash. Finally, we suggest that practice-oriented design concepts can support discussions and increased knowledge about responsibilities and potential conflicts related to sustainable practices, as well as provide means for supporting learning about sustainable practices among decision makers.

Practices in transitions: Review, reflections, and research directions for a Practice Innovation System PIS approach

“…The environmental sustainability implications thus depend on how car sharing relates to the urban transport system and the complex, interdependent, and collective organization of (mobility) practices (Laakso, 2019). Shared mobility can change personal transportation by reducing the need for private cars (Boyer, 2016;Hasselqvist & Hesselgren, 2019;. For example, studies have found evidence that households relying on shared cars instead of private ones drive less and take fewer trips (Ferrero et al, 2018;Martin & Shaheen, 2011).…”

“…Some recent studies have indicated that car sharing can promote environmentally sustainable mobility . Sociotechnical innovations of shared mobility with new practices can contribute to changing personal transportation, reducing the need for private cars (Boyer 2016;Hasselqvist and Hesselgren 2019;. However, the fossil-fueled, privately-owned car remains dominant, causing local environmental problems like congestion and air pollution, and contributing to climate change.…”

On the other side of change : Exploring the role that design can play in retaining sustainable doings

“…Compared with the Behaviorbased lens, the design interventions introduced from the SPT-based lens tend to be more disruptive as they often aim at redesigning and reconfiguring people's current practices. For example, reconfiguring the mobility practices (Hasselqvist & Hesselgren, 2019) and bathing practices (Kuijer, Jong, & Eijk, 2013). The functioning level of design intervention thus can be categorized into a socio-technical system innovation level, where a 'cluster of aligned elements, including artefacts, technology, knowledge, user practices and markets, regulation, cultural meaning, infrastructure, maintenance networks and supply networks, together fulfill a specific societal function' (Geels, 2005).…”

From novelty to normality: reproducing car-sharing practices in transitions to sustainable mobility

“…Some recent studies have indicated that car sharing can promote environmentally sustainable mobility (Rabbitt and Ghosh 2016;Sovacool and Axsen 2018). Sociotechnical innovations of shared mobility with new practices can contribute to changing personal transportation, reducing the need for private cars (Boyer 2016;Hasselqvist and Hesselgren 2019;Schwanen, Banister, and Anable 2012;Svennevik 2019). However, the fossil-fueled, privately-owned car remains dominant, causing local environmental problems like congestion and air pollution, and contributing to climate change.…”