Integrating Space and Mobilities into the Analysis of Social Inequality

Considering daily mobility for a more comprehensive understanding of contextual effects on social inequalities in health: A conceptual proposal

“…Indeed, it has been developed to bridge the separation between spatial mobility and social inequality, and to consider the underlying causes of differential patterns of mobility across social groups (Camarero and Oliva, 2008). Mobility potential also acknowledges individuals' agency or capacity to act in a given social context: as depicted in Figure 1, mobility potential is transformed into realized (im)mobility once agency has been expressed (Kaufmann et al, 2004, Manderscheid, 2009, Jiron, 2007, Weiss, 2005.…”

“…gender, socioeconomic status), as well as by geographic circumstances (e.g. public transit, the location of activity places and resources) (Kaufmann et al, 2004, Manderscheid, 2009. Access is also regulated by conditions which Hägerstrand has called "authority constraints" or "those general rules, laws, economic barriers, and power relationships that determine who does or does not have access to specific domains at specific times" (Pred, 1977 p.208).…”

“…It follows that mobility potential is unequally distributed across social groups (Kaufmann et al, 2004, Manderscheid, 2009, Weiss, 2005, Gough, 2008. In fact, the distribution of resources and of physical environment characteristics are neither socially nor politically neutral (Harvey, 1973, Soja, 2010.…”

“…Agency is expressed within a social context and reflects the ability to choose a course of action from available options for mobility -including whether or not to be mobile, as well as where to go (Kaufmann et al, 2004, Manderscheid, 2009. For example, people may choose to be mobile because they prefer to shop at a particular store located at a distance from their home, or they may be forced to travel outside their residential neighbourhood to access resources not found there.…”

“…However, few studies have directly examined the relationship between daily mobility and social inequalities in health, rather than health more generally. This is so despite the fact that, as noted by several authors, daily mobility is a central driver of social stratification and inequality (Canzler et al, 2008, Manderscheid, 2009, Jiron, 2007, Kaufmann et al, 2004, Brighenti, 2011.…”