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Revisiting Accessibility in a Context of Sustainable Transport: Capabilities and Inequalities in Bogotá

Author

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  • Daniel Oviedo

    (Development Planning Unit, University College London, London SW1P 2QB, UK)

  • Luis A. Guzman

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Civil y Ambiental, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá 111711, Colombia)

Abstract

This research sets out to examine the interaction between accessibility, social inequalities and sustainability by revisiting a well-documented case of inequalities in access in Global South cities: Bogotá. Our analysis builds on the concept of accessibility, focusing on the role of transport as an enabler of opportunities for social interactions, healthcare and leisure, which are essential to the full participation in society. The research applies a methodological framework for accessibility developed and tested in the Latin American context, though it has not been previously applied to non-commuting travel. Our paper contributes to the existing evidence base showing the relevance of non-commuting travel to sustainable transport assessment in contexts of high inequality, which can be scaled up and applied in other contexts with various levels of social and environmental inequalities. The empirical analysis is based on data from Bogotá’s household travel survey. Using this dataset, we measure accessibility using a gravitational type of metric that is calibrated based on observed travel behavior. Accessibility levels were estimated by car and public transport for every zonal planning unit in the Bogotá Region. Accessibility indices are analyzed from an equity perspective using metrics such as the Palma ratio for differences of income and socioeconomic positions. Results show that on average, low- and middle-income areas have higher accessibility than high-income areas by both private and public transport. Accessibility conditions are discussed considering a framework of transitions to sustainable urban mobility, reflecting on various drivers and consequences of barriers to access in different areas and social groups. Our findings provide insights to support actions that redistribute accessibility of opportunities beyond the job market, questioning the applicability of accessibility measures to discuss equity and sustainability in cities such as Bogotá.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Oviedo & Luis A. Guzman, 2020. "Revisiting Accessibility in a Context of Sustainable Transport: Capabilities and Inequalities in Bogotá," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-22, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4464-:d:365618
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    1. John Stanley & Janet Stanley, 2023. "Improving Appraisal Methodology for Land Use Transport Measures to Reduce Risk of Social Exclusion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Azmoodeh, Mohammad & Haghighi, Farshidreza & Motieyan, Hamid, 2023. "The capability approach and social equity in transport: Understanding factors affecting capabilities of urban residents, using structural equation modeling," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 137-151.
    3. Silvia Stuchi & Sonia Paulino & Faïz Gallouj, 2022. "Social Innovation in Active Mobility Public Services in the Megacity of Sao Paulo," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, September.
    4. Apantri Peungnumsai & Hiroyuki Miyazaki & Apichon Witayangkurn & Sohee Minsun Kim, 2020. "A Grid-Based Spatial Analysis for Detecting Supply–Demand Gaps of Public Transports: A Case Study of the Bangkok Metropolitan Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-27, December.
    5. Hugo de Alba-Martínez & Alejandro L. Grindlay & Gabriela Ochoa-Covarrubias, 2020. "(In)Equitable Accessibility to Sustainable Transport from Universities in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-18, December.
    6. Hong Zhu & Jin Li & Zhenjie Yuan & Jie Li, 2023. "Bibliometric Analysis of Spatial Accessibility from 1999–2022," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-17, September.
    7. Vicente Aprigliano & Gabriel Teixeira Barros & Marcos Vinicius Silva Maia Santos & Catalina Toro & Gonzalo Rojas & Sebastian Seriani & Marcelino Aurelio Vieira da Silva & Ualison Rébula de Oliveira, 2023. "Sustainable Mobility Challenges in the Latin American Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-27, October.
    8. Oviedo, Daniel & Cavoli, Clemence & Levy, Caren & Koroma, Braima & Macarthy, Joseph & Sabogal, Orlando & Arroyo, Fatima & Jones, Peter, 2022. "Accessibility and sustainable mobility transitions in Africa: Insights from Freetown," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    9. Guzman, Luis A. & Peña, Javier & Carrasco, Juan Antonio, 2020. "Assessing the role of the built environment and sociodemographic characteristics on walking travel distances in Bogotá," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    10. Oviedo, Daniel & Sabogal-Cardona, Orlando, 2022. "Arguments for cycling as a mechanism for sustainable modal shifts in Bogotá," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    11. Mohammad Azmoodeh & Farshidreza Haghighi & Hamid Motieyan, 2023. "Capability Index: Applying a Fuzzy-Based Decision-Making Method to Evaluate Social Inclusion in Urban Areas Using the Capability Approach," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 165(1), pages 77-105, January.
    12. Woo Jang & Fei Yuan & Jose Javier Lopez, 2021. "Investigating Sustainable Commuting Patterns by Socio-Economic Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.

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