EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE URBAN TRANSPORTATION: INTEGRATING ACCESSIBILITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND POLICY FRAMEWORKS FOR SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY
Keywords:
Urban Transportation, Social Equity, Accessibility, Spatial JusticeAbstract
Urban transportation systems play a pivotal role in shaping social equity, economic opportunity, and environmental sustainability. This research examines the theoretical and practical dimensions of equitable transportation, emphasizing accessibility for marginalized populations, spatial justice, and policy-driven approaches for inclusive mobility. Drawing on a comprehensive review of literature spanning transportation cost allocation, environmental justice, disability access, immigrant mobility, and child-centered urban planning, this study elucidates the complex intersections between infrastructure investment, social equity, and human rights. Methods employed include integrative policy analysis, spatial investment evaluation, and comparative review of international case studies. Findings reveal persistent inequities in transit accessibility, systemic biases in funding distribution, and the critical importance of participatory planning in achieving socially just mobility outcomes. The study underscores the necessity of multi-scalar approaches, combining local design interventions with national policy frameworks, to address the spatial and social disparities embedded in transportation networks. Practical implications for urban planners, policymakers, and advocacy groups include strategies to integrate livability and human rights considerations into transport decision-making, promote universal access, and reconcile efficiency with equity. Limitations include variability in data availability across regions and the evolving nature of mobility patterns. Future research directions highlight the need for longitudinal studies on policy interventions, advanced spatial modeling for equity assessment, and participatory methodologies that foreground community voices. This research contributes a rigorous, evidence-based framework for advancing equitable urban transportation systems worldwide.
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