Understanding the role of micro-mobility services in urban sustainability in disadvantaged neighborhoods:: Itaim Paulista (São Paulo) and Tarwewijk (Delft)

Abstract

The new shared mobility services are not only an alternative to transport models but also an opportunity to increase urban sustainability. By 2050 68% of the world's population is expected to live in urban areas. In addition, urban centers consume 78% of global energy and produce more than 60% of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, and it has become crucial to understand the dynamic nature of urban activities to ensure and improve the quality of human life. Urban mobility is one of the essential components of people's daily activities and is directly affected by the rapid increase in the urban population, unplanned urbanization, and socioeconomic conditions. It is an important factor to be considered in urban sustainability and is therefore a determinant of quality of life, public transport, employment, education and health. In addition, having access to efficient urban mobility systems remains one of the key issues for policymakers, especially in large cities and densely populated neighborhoods. In this proposal, we explore the role of micromobility services in urban sustainability in two disadvantaged neighborhoods, i.e., itaim paulista, São Paulo, Brazil; and Tarwewijk, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Understanding the role of these mobility services is important to incorporate integrated, innovative, and people-centered urban planning and development practices that allow for the long-term transition to fair, sustainable, resilient and climate-neutral cities. For this, the research intends to define sustainability in the context of urban mobility and investigate the condition of micromobility from the comparison of the two cases analyzed. What is the role of micromobility services to improve the quality of life in disadvantaged neighborhoods? To answer this question we organized two workshops. The first will aim to define urban sustainability in the context of urban mobility. This workshop will provide examples of different practices that take place in Brazil and other locations. The second will aim to investigate the role of micromobility services in urban sustainability and will be jointly organized by the Mobility Network of the Future and the Rotterdam City Hall. (AU)