Title: Social sustainability in the transport sector: an essential requisite for sustainable mobility

Authors: Tanu Priya Uteng

Addresses: Department of Civil and Transport Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Hogskoleringen 7a, Trondheim 7491, Norway

Abstract: Sustainable mobility emphasises the need to integrate mobility into an overall pattern of sustainable development. Previous researches point towards altering the patterns of transport by focusing primarily on the goal of environmental-protection and economic efficiency. Mobility, however, is a socially contextualised phenomenon operating beyond mere |transport/ movement|. Its linkage with the ideas of liberty, equity, risk and need necessitate a more generic understanding to pursue the goals of sustainable mobility in a practical and achievable fashion. As a pilot study, this paper reviews the mobility patterns and needs of non-western immigrants in Norway to shed light on the |social sustainability| ethos using both quantitative and qualitative analysis in the realm of transport planning. It establishes a case for fair distribution of mobility resources among the non-western immigrant community in Norway to achieve one of the primary goals of sustainable development, namely, equity and social justice.

Keywords: sustainable development; sustainable mobility; equity; non-western immigrants; Norway; public transport; social sustainability; transport planning; mobility resources; resource distribution; social justice.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2007.014198

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2007 Vol.6 No.2, pp.113 - 135

Published online: 25 Jun 2007 *

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