Research project CP/61 (Research action CP)
Context
Due to traffic and social safety concerns, children are often restricted in their mobility or accompanied (e.g. driven by car) on their journeys. On the other hand, a growing independence is expected from children, especially from the age of 10 years onward; children themselves aim for this independence as well. During the transition to secondary school, children’s daily mobility often grows significantly more autonomous.
In studying children’s own views on mobility, this project makes it possible to involve children – the future generation of adults – in the development of a sustainable mobility. The project is situated on the crossroads of two recent and rapidly developing scientific disciplines: the sociology of childhood, and (the sociological dimension of) traffic sciences.
Project description
Objectives
This project studies the transportation dependence and transportation autonomy of children in the age brackets of 10 to 13, and the ways they experience it and expect it to be. It explores the needs and preferences they have, and the actual ways in which they are mobile in daily life. The research will show to what extent independent mobility is important to children and which factors are contributing to or impeding this autonomy. Children’s own approaches, central to this project, can be confronted with ecological, economical and social arguments related to sustainable mobility. The general and policy-related objective of the project is to make mobility projects more child oriented.
The most important operational goals are the following:
- To collect scientifically based qualitative knowledge on children's experiences and views on mobility, and to check and expand this knowledge by means of a representative sample of Flemish children (10 – 13 years old);
- To collect information on children’s mobility;
- To generate knowledge on how children can participate in the construction of mobility projects at the local level, and to make this knowledge available;
- To develop participation methods for children in future mobility projects at the local level.
Methodology
The project unfolds in four well-defined phases that build on each other and that combine diverse methodologies:
- A study of the literature on two domains: the methodology of qualitative research with children, and the existing research on mobility from children’s perspectives;
- A qualitative study on how children experience mobility. This will happen by way of a quite open questioning of children, mainly through verbal methods (interviews and focus groups), on their own experiences and opinions regarding their journeys and their transport autonomy or dependence. Boys and girls from the last year of primary school and the first year of secondary school living in a more urban and a more rural environment will be questioned;
- A quantitative testing study in a representative sample will check the results obtained in the qualitative phase, and will weigh the factors that were defined as relevant in the qualitative research. By means of a survey carried out among a sample of 5000 children throughout Flanders, children will be questioned on their experiences and opinions regarding mobility and on their actual travel behaviour as it is related to concrete activities;
- An action research in four local communities (two in a rural and two in an urban environment). The results obtained in the qualitative and quantitative research will be used as the input for this action research. Different methods detected in the previous studies will be applied to stimulate children’s participation at the local level.
Interaction between the different partners
The structure of the research project, in which each phase builds on the previous ones, requires a regular interaction between the different partners. The study of literature will be done by K&S (on methodology) and LV (on mobility). Next, K&S carries out the qualitative research. This phase will inform the quantitative research which is carried out, in close collaboration, by IMOB and PHL. Finally, the action research will be carried out by LV in collaboration with K&S.
Expected results and/or products
- Thorough and broadly tested knowledge on children’s own experiences, views and expectations regarding their mobility and the extent of their dependence on adults;
- The study of literature and the qualitative and quantitative phases will all result in a published paper;
- Once these three research phases are finished, a workshop will be organised in which the results of the whole project will be presented in different papers;
- Feedback to local communities and children on the results of the action research;
- Publication of a user-friendly manual, not only focused on youth organisations or civil servants engaged in youth policy but especially on the children themselves, on ‘how to participate in mobility projects in my municipality’;
- Ongoing information on and valorisation of the research results among responsible authorities for children’s participation and urban planning, both at local and higher levels.
Partners
Activities
Kind & Samenleving
This centre for research and development aims at stimulating the position of children in society. Its research methods focus on children’s experiences, while the main research theme is children and public space.
Langzaam Verkeer
Langzaam Verkeer is an interdisciplinary service group, active in the domains of traffic safety, traffic liveability and sustainable mobility.
Instituut voor Mobiliteit
IMOB is an independent scientific institute specialising in fundamental and applied research in the domain of mobility and traffic. Furthermore, the institute participates in the Flemish Policy Research Centre for Traffic Safety (Steunpunt Verkeersveiligheid).
Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg
The research unit AMO (Architectuur, Mobiliteit en Omgeving) of the PHL specialises in applied research in the domains of architecture, mobility and environment. It also participates in the Flemish Policy Research Centre for Traffic Safety (Steunpunt Verkeersveiligheid).
Contact Information
Coordinator
Jan Van Gils
Onderzoekscentrum Kind en Samenleving
Nieuwelaan 63
B-1860 Meise
Tel: +32 (0)2 272 07 50
Fax: +32 (0)2 269 78 72
jvangils@k-s.be
http://www.k-s.be
Partners
Gert Zuallaert
Langzaam Verkeer vzw
J.-P. Minckelersstraat 43A
B-3000 Leuven
Tel: +32 (0)16 23 94 65
Fax: +32 (0)16 29 02 10
gert.zuallaert@langzaamverkeer.be
http://www.langzaamverkeer.be
Geert Wets
Limburgs Universitair Centrum (LUC)
Departement Bedrijfskunde
Universitaire Campus, Gebouw D
B-3590 Diepenbeek
Tel: +32 (0)11 26 86 49
Fax: +32 (0)11 26 87 00
Geert.Wets@luc.ac.be
http://www.luc.ac.be
Rob Cuyvers
Provinciale Hogeschool Limburg
Departement Architectuur & Beeldende kunst - Onderzoekscel Architectuur, Mobiliteit en Omgeving
Universitaire Campus - Gebouw E
B-3590 Diepenbeek
Tel: +32 (0)11 24 92 13
Fax: +32 (0)11 24 92 01
rob.cuyvers@phlimburg.be
http://www.phlimburg.be
Users Committee
Marleen Govaerts Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap – Mobiliteitscel
Erwin Debruyne Vereniging van Vlaamse Steden en Gemeenten (VVSG)
Guy Redig Fondation Roi Baudouin
Lynn Dupuis Institut belge pour la Sécurité Routière a.s.b.l. (IBSR)
Ankie Vandekerckhove Kinderrechtencommissariaat
For the complete and most up-to-date composition of the Users Committee, please consult our Federal Research Actions Database (FEDRA) by visiting http://www.belspo.be/fedra
Vervoerafhankelijkheid en vervoersautonomie van kinderen (10 - 13 jaar) : eindrapport
Van Gils, Jan - Meire, Johan - Zuallaert, Gert ... et al Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2007 (SP1735)
[To download]
[To order]
