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Social Sustainability Issues and Older Adults’ Dependence on Automobiles in Low-Density Environments

Author

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  • Hitomi Nakanishi

    (Faculty of Business, Government and Law and Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra, Bruce, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • John Black

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, University of Sydney, Lidcombe NSW 1825, Australia
    Institute of Environmental Studies, UNSW Australia, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

An implicit assumption underlying government strategies to achieve a more sustainable urban transportation system is that all automobile users will be encouraged or persuaded to use more “green” transportation: public transportation, walking and cycling. Little consideration has been given as to how sustainable transportation policies and programmess might impact on different age groups in society, including those retired or semi-retired, despite the fact that an unprecedented number of older drivers will be on the highways in the next few decades. There is limited literature on the contextual factors behind their continued reliance on automobiles, their actual driving behavior (e.g., route choice and time of day to drive) framed within the context of social sustainability. This paper introduces the elements of transportation and social sustainability then conducts a comprehensive international literature review focusing on older drivers, their travel choices and associated social sustainability issues. It describes a case study, low-density city and presents empirical evidence, from two surveys conducted in Canberra, Australia. The paper concludes with future research directions that address these issues associated with sustainable transportation.

Suggested Citation

  • Hitomi Nakanishi & John Black, 2015. "Social Sustainability Issues and Older Adults’ Dependence on Automobiles in Low-Density Environments," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(6), pages 1-21, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:7:y:2015:i:6:p:7289-7309:d:50855
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Soltani, Ali & Pojani, Dorina & Askari, Sajad & Masoumi, Houshmand E., 2018. "Socio-demographic and built environment determinants of car use among older adults in Iran," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 109-117.
    4. Haseeb, Attiya & Mitra, Raktim, 2023. "Do environmentally sustainable travel behaviours contribute to transportation-related social exclusion?," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    5. Samira Ramezani & Tiina Laatikainen & Kamyar Hasanzadeh & Marketta Kyttä, 2021. "Shopping trip mode choice of older adults: an application of activity space and hybrid choice models in understanding the effects of built environment and personal goals," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 505-536, April.
    6. Beatriz Junquera & Jesús Ángel Del Brío, 2016. "Preventive Command and Control Regulation: A Case Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-17, January.
    7. Valentina Carella & Paola Monachesi, 2018. "Greener through Grey? Boosting Sustainable Development through a Philosophical and Social Media Analysis of Ageing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-13, February.
    8. Usama Awan & Andrzej Kraslawski & Janne Huiskonen, 2018. "Governing Interfirm Relationships for Social Sustainability: The Relationship between Governance Mechanisms, Sustainable Collaboration, and Cultural Intelligence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-20, November.
    9. Kwaku Addai & Berna Serener & Dervis Kirikkaleli, 2022. "Asymmetricity in the Effect of Economic and Environmental Factors on Social Sustainability: Empirical Evidence from Eastern European Economies using Dynamic Analysis with CCEMG & D-H Causality Approac," International Journal of Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, International Journal of Finance, Insurance and Risk Management, vol. 12(3), pages 75-92.

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