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AG2144 Sustainable Urban Mobility 7.5 credits

Course memo Autumn 2022-51370

Version 1 – 10/21/2022, 10:04:40 AM

Course offering

Autumn 2022-1 (Start date 31/10/2022, English)

Language Of Instruction

English

Offered By

ABE/Urban and Regional Studies

Course memo Autumn 2022

Headings denoted with an asterisk ( * ) is retrieved from the course syllabus version Autumn 2021

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

No information inserted

Intended learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

  • Give an account of practices and infrastructures for sustainable transport and mobility as a component of sustainable urban development
  • Give an account of the interplay between land use planning, transportation planning and other fields of urban development in relation to the furtherance of more sustainable cities and demonstrate an understanding of challenges and opportunities associated with the coordination of transport and mobility planning and other aspects of urban and regional planning
  • Apply theories on sustainability transformation to questions on sustainable transport and mobility in an urban context
  • Demonstrate a qualitative understanding of mobility needs of urban residents and their relation to and experiences from the transport system
  • Discuss how gender, socio-cultural, economic and other factors influence individuals' and different societal groups' accessibility to mobility options
  • Analyse mobility patterns as part of urban social dynamics and transport infrastructure and discuss in a qualitative way the role of social, economic and cultural factors to shape these patterns
  • Analyse alternative courses of action for the development of sustainable urban mobility and discuss the applicability of methods for the accelerating sustainability transformation in relation to sustainable urban transport and mobility
  • Analyse challenges for decision-making and cooperation between different actors in relation to the implementation of measures for sustainable transport and mobility in an urban context

Learning activities

The course consists of lectures, seminars, a group assignment, and an individual assignment. The first part of the course is structured into three packages, where each package contains 3 lectures and ends with a seminar to discuss the preparatory readings for all lectures of that package. The second part of the course consists of a group assignment followed by an individual assignment, in which course contents from the first part are applied to real-life mobility innovations and policy interventions.

Detailed plan

 

Learning activities Content Preparations (readings numbered as in literature list)

 

--- BLOCK 1: SUSTAINABILITY ---

 

Mon 31 Oct, 13-16

Lecture

Location: V33

Course introduction +

Sustainable urban mobility: past, present, future

Lecturer: Martin Emanuel

Core readings: [1], [2]

Extensive reading: [3]

Wed 2 Nov, 10-12

Lecture

Location: V34

Urban mobility transitions towards sustainability

Lecturer: Matt Davoudizavareh

Core readings: [4], [5]

Extensive reading: [6], [7]

Wed 2 Nov, 13-15

Lecture

Location: U31

Users in mobility transitions

Lecturer: Liridona Sopjani

Core readings: [8], [9]

Extensive reading: [10]

Wed 9 Nov, 10-12 + 14-16

Seminar

Location: B22B23 (10-12)

B22B25 (14-16)

Seminar: Sustainability

Seminar leaders: Martin Emanuel, Elise Perrault, Matt Davoudizavareh

1-2 pages reflection on readings [1]-[10] is uploaded on Canvas by Mon 7 Nov 17:00.

 
--- BLOCK 2: MOBILITY --- 
 

Mon 14 Nov, 13-15

Lecture

Location: V33

Mobility cultures, habits, practices

Lecturer: Greger Henriksson

Core readings: [11], [12]

Extensive reading: [13]

Wed 16 Nov, 9-12

Workshop

Location: TBA

Group assignment: Start-up workshop

 

Wed 16 Nov, 13-15

Lecture

Location: Digital (find zoom-link on Canvas)

Mobility justice and (in)equality

Lecturer: Malin Henriksson

Core readings: [14], [15]

Extensive reading: [16]

Mon 21 Nov, 13-15

Lecture

Location: V23

Mobility, infrastructures and politics

Lecturer: Martin Emanuel

Core readings: [17], [18]

Extensive reading: [19]

Wed 23 Nov, 10-12 + 13-15

Seminar

Location: E34E36 (10-12)

D33E53 (13-15)

Seminar: Mobility

Seminar leaders: Martin Emanuel, Elise Perrault, Matt Davoudizavareh

1-2 pages reflection on readings [11]-[19] is uploaded on Canvas by Tue 22 Nov 17:00.
 
--- BLOCK 3: GOVERNANCE --- 
 

Mon 28 Nov, 13-15

Lecture

Location: W43

Integrating transport and land-use planning

Lecturer: Harriet Dunn

Core readings: [20], [21]

Extensive reading: [22], [23]

Wed 30 Nov, 10-12

Lecture

Location: B1

Urban Living Labs and experimental governance

Lecturer: Jonas Bylund

Core readings: [24], [25]

Extensive reading: [26]

Wed 30 Nov, 13-15

Lecture

Location: V35

Governing mobility transitions

Lecturer: Karolina Isaksson

Core readings: [27], [28]

Extensive reading: [29], [30]

Mon 5 Dec 13-16

Tutorial

Location: TBA

Group assignment: Tutorial Time slots available to book on Canvas a few days in advance.

Wed 7 Dec, 13-15 + 15-17

Seminar

Location: B23B24

Seminar: Governance

Seminar leaders: Martin Emanuel, Elise Perrault, Matt Davoudizavareh

1-2 pages reflection on readings [20]-[30] is uploaded on Canvas by Mon 5 Dec 17:00.
 
--- GROUP & INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS --- 
 

Mon 12 Dec 13:00-16:00

Seminar

Location: W25W38

Group assignment: Peer feedback

Individual assignment: Start-up

Draft 8-10 pages group assignment is uploaded on Canvas by Fri 9 Dec 17:00.

Fri 16 Dec 12:00

Deadline for uploading final version of written group assignment on Canvas.

Fri 13 Jan 12:00

Deadline for uploading final version of written individual assignment on Canvas.

Fri 13 Jan 13-15

Location: Loungen, Teknikringen 10 B

Farewell fika with course evaluation

 

Preparations before course start

Literature

Students are advised to pre-read the literature relating to each lecture theme in order to better benefit from the lectures. The literature listed under each “block” is reading for the related seminar. Literature marked within an asterix (*) is core reading and expected reading for the seminars. No asterix means suggested, extensive reading for those who are looking for a more in-depth understanding of the topic.

 

Block 1 (lectures 1-3, seminar 1)

Sustainable urban mobility: past, present, future

[1] * Schipper, F., Emanuel, M., & Oldenziel, R. (2020). Sustainable Urban Mobility in the Present, Past, and Future. Technology and Culture, 61(1), 307-317. DOI: 10.1353/tech.2020.0004

[2] * Holden, E., Linnerud, K., & Banister, D. (2013). Sustainable passenger transport: Back to Brundtland. Transportation Research. Part A, Policy and Practice, 54, 67-77. DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2013.07.012

[3] Banister, D. (2008). The sustainable mobility paradigm. Transport Policy, 15(2), 73-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2007.10.005

 

Urban mobility transitions towards sustainability

[4] * Geels, F. (2012). A socio-technical analysis of low-carbon transitions: Introducing the multi-level perspective into transport studies. Journal of Transport Geography, 24, 471-482. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2012.01.021

[5] * Marletto, G. (2014). Car and the city: Socio-technical transition pathways to 2030. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 87, 164-178. DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2013.12.013

[6] Geels, F. (2005). The dynamics of transitions in socio-technical systems: A multi-level analysis of the transition pathway from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles (1860-1930). Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 17(4), 445-476. DOI: 10.1080/09537320500357319

[7] Ghosh, B., & Schot, J. (2019). Towards a novel regime change framework: Studying mobility transitions in public transport regimes in an Indian megacity. Energy Research & Social Science, 51, 82-95. DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2018.12.001

 

Users in mobility transitions

[8] * Kanger, L., & Schot, J. (2016). User-made immobilities: a transitions perspective. Mobilities, 11(4), 598-613. DOI: 10.1080/17450101.2016.1211827

[9] * Shove, E., & Walker, G. (2007). CAUTION! Transitions ahead: politics, practice, and sustainable transition management. Environment and Planning A, 39(4), 763-770. DOI: 10.1068/a39310

[10] Sopjani, L., Stier, J. J., Ritzén, S., Hesselgren, M., & Georén, P. (2019). Involving users and user roles in the transition to sustainable mobility systems: The case of light electric vehicle sharing in Sweden. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 71, 207-221. DOI: 10.1016/j.trd.2018.12.011

 

Block 2 (lectures 4-7, seminar 2)

 

Mobility cultures, habits and practices

[11] * Aldred, R., & Jungnickel, K. (2014). Why culture matters for transport policy: The case of cycling in the UK. Journal of Transport Geography, 34, 78-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2013.11.004

[12] * Schwanen, T., Banister, D., & Anable, J. (2012). Rethinking habits and their role in behaviour change: The case of low-carbon mobility. Journal of Transport Geography, 24, 522-532. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2012.06.003

[13] Klinger, T., Kenworthy, J., & Lanzendorf, M. (2013). Dimensions of urban mobility cultures – a comparison of German cities. Journal of Transport Geography, 31, 18-29. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2013.05.002

 

Mobility justice and (in)equality

[14] * Pereira, R. H., Schwanen, T., & Banister, D. (2017). Distributive justice and equity in transportation. Transport reviews, 37(2), 170-191. DOI: 10.1080/01441647.2016.1257660

[15] * Henriksson, M., Wallsten, A. and Ihlström, J. (2022). Can bike-sharing contribute to transport justice? Exploring a municipal bike-sharing system. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 103, p.103185. DOI:10.1016/j.trd.2022.103185

[16] Schwanen, T. and Nixon, D.V. (2020). Understanding the relationships between wellbeing and mobility in the unequal city: the case of community initiatives promoting cycling and walking in São Paulo and London. In Urban transformations and public health in the emergent city (pp. 79-101). Manchester University Press. DOI:10.7765/9781526150943 (Available at KTHB)

 

Mobility, infrastructures and politics

[17] * Cresswell, T. (2010). Towards a Politics of Mobility. Environment and Planning. D, Society & Space, 28(1), 17-31. DOI: 10.1068/d11407

[18] * Emanuel, M. (2011). Constructing the Cyclist: Ideology and Representations in Urban Traffic Planning in Stockholm, 1930–70. Journal of Transport History, 33(1), 67–91. DOI:10.7227/TJTH.33.1.6

[19] McFarlane, C., & Rutherford, J. (2008). Political Infrastructures: Governing and Experiencing the Fabric of the City. International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 32(2), 363–374. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2427.2008.00792.x

 

Block 3 (lectures 7-9, seminar 3)

 

Integrating transport and land use planning

[20] * Stead, D. (2016). Key research themes on governance and sustainable urban mobility. International Journal of Sustainable Transportation, 10(1), 40-48. DOI: 10.1080/15568318.2013.821008

[21] * Straatemeier, T. and Bertolini, L. (2020) ‘How can planning for accessibility lead to more integrated transport and land-use strategies? Two examples from the Netherlands’, European Planning Studies, 28(9), 1713–1734. DOI: 10.1080/09654313.2019.1612326

[22] Legacy, C., Curtis, C. and Scheurer, J. (2017) ‘Planning transport infrastructure: examining the politics of transport planning in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth’, Urban Policy and Research. 35(1), 44-60. DOI: 10.1080/08111146.2016.1272448

[23] Nordregio (2016) Transit-oriented development and sustainable urban planning. Nordregio, Austrian Institute for Spatial Planning (ÖIR), TU Delft. Available at: https://nordregio.org/publications/transit-oriented-development-and-sustainable-urban-planning/

 

Urban living labs & experimental governance

[24] * VanHoose, K., de Gante, A. R., Bertolini, L., Kinigadner, J., & Büttner, B. (2022). From temporary arrangements to permanent change: Assessing the transitional capacity of city street experiments. Journal of Urban Mobility, 2, 100015. DOI: 10.1016/j.urbmob.2022.100015

[25] * Torrens, J., & von Wirth, T. (2021). Experimentation or projectification of urban change? A critical appraisal and three steps forward. Urban Transformations, 3(1), 8. DOI: 10.1186/s42854-021-00025-1

[26] Prytherch, D. L. (2022). Reimagining the physical/social infrastructure of the American street: policy and design for mobility justice and conviviality. Urban geography, 43(5), 688-712. DOI: 10.1080/02723638.2021.1960690

 

Governing mobility transitions

[27] * Oldbury, K., & Isaksson, K. (2021). Governance arrangements shaping driverless shuttles in public transport: The case of Barkarbystaden, Stockholm. Cities, 113, 103-146. DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2021.103146

[28] * Haarstad, H. (2016). Where are urban energy transitions governed? Conceptualizing the complex governance arrangements for low-carbon mobility in Europe. Cities, 54, 4-10. DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2015.10.013

[29] Docherty, I., Marsden, G., & Anable, J. (2018). The governance of smart mobility. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 115, 114-125. DOI: 10.1016/j.tra.2017.09.012

[30] Marsden, G., Ferreira, A., Bache, I., Flinders, M., & Bartle, I. (2014). Muddling through with climate change targets: a multi-level governance perspective on the transport sector. Climate policy, 14(5), 617-636. DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2014.905823

Examination and completion

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • INL1 - Hand in assignment, 3.0 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
  • PRO1 - Project, 2.5 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
  • SEM1 - Seminar, 2.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The examiner determines, based on recommendation from the KTH office of support to students with disabilities, possible adapted examination for students with documented, permanent disabilities.

The examiner may permit other examination formats at the re-examination of individual students.

The section below is not retrieved from the course syllabus:

The deadlines for submission of the assignments of the course is found in the Detailed plan (above).

Seminars (SEM1)

The course includes nine lectures that correspond to three literature packages of three lectures each. The literature relating to the three packages are discussed in the form of seminars for which students are to hand in 1-2 pages of reflections on the specific literature in advance. These reflections should be guided by questions posted separately on Canvas in advance of each seminar. Seminar reflections are graded pass or fail (P/F). When a reflection does not live up to the requirements to pass, the student will have a chance to improve based on teachers’ feedback. Seminar attendance and active participation in discussions is mandatory. Students who miss a seminar (incl. late submission of a reflection) will have to make up for it at an extra seminar towards the end of the course.

Project (PRO1)

The project is made up of a group assignment in which students assess and analyze a real-life urban mobility issue. Every group of 3–4 students will work with a specific mobility innovation or policy intervention in a given spatial context (e.g. city, city-region, city district). The aim is that students gain an understanding of the complexity of urban mobility transitions to achieve sustainable development, and that they acquire a capacity to elaborate different scenarios that may occur based on different choices and solutions. The groups work is facilitated by a number of activities (start-up workshop, tutorial, peer-feedback) and should result in a 8-10 pages written report, which is graded A-F. When an report receives the grade Fx, the student group will have a chance to improve based on teachers’ feedback. A detailed instruction will be posted separately on Canvas in advance of the start of the group work.

Hand in assignment (INL1)

For the individual assignment, students are to write an essay in which they carry out an extended discussion in relation to the issue that they worked with in the group assignment, including further analysis and reflection based on theories and concepts presented in the course literature. The aim is that students gain an understanding of the governance challenges related to urban mobility transitions, and that they acquire a capacity to carry out theoretical analysis of sustainability transformations in the domain of urban mobility. The individual assignment is started off with a mini-seminar and should result in a 6-8 pages written essay, which is graded A-F. When an essay receives the grade Fx, the student will have a chance to improve based on teachers’ feedback. A more detailed instruction will be posted separately on Canvas in advance of the start of the individual assignment.

Grading criteria/assessment criteria

Intended learning outcomes (repeated)

 After passing the course, the student should be able to:

  1. Give an account of practices and infrastructures for sustainable transport and mobility as a component of sustainable urban development
  2. Give an account of the interplay between land use planning, transportation planning and other fields of urban development in relation to the furtherance of more sustainable cities and demonstrate an understanding of challenges and opportunities associated with the coordination of transport and mobility planning and other aspects of urban and regional planning
  3. Apply theories on sustainability transformation to questions on sustainable transport and mobility in an urban context
  4. Demonstrate a qualitative understanding of mobility needs of urban residents and their relation to and experiences from the transport system
  5. Discuss how gender, socio-cultural, economic and other factors influence individuals' and different societal groups' accessibility to mobility options
  6. Analyse mobility patterns as part of urban social dynamics and transport infrastructure and discuss in a qualitative way the role of social, economic and cultural factors to shape these patterns
  7. Analyse alternative courses of action for the development of sustainable urban mobility and discuss the applicability of methods for the accelerating sustainability transformation in relation to sustainable urban transport and mobility
  8. Analyse challenges for decision-making and cooperation between different actors in relation to the implementation of measures for sustainable transport and mobility in an urban context

Seminars (SEM1)

The seminars examines (P/F) learning outcomes [a], [b] and[e] and is formative for the other learning outcomes. 

In order to Pass, the student shall be able to:

  • Account for how mobility features as a problem and possibility for achieving sustainable urban development
  • Account for strategies to mitigate the impact of mobility on sustainable urban development
  • Account for how access to mobility is distributed across social groups
  • Interpret findings related to accessibility from different conceptualizations of mobility justice and equity.
  • Give examples of inter- and intragenerational conflicts (at least one of each) with respect to sustainable urban mobility
  • Account for core aspects of integrated land use and transport planning
  • Give examples of challenges of integrated planning and its relevance to sustainable urban development

Project (PRO1)

The group assignment examines (A-F) learning outcomes [d], [f] and [g].

E D C B A
Discusses how users' needs are met and experiences impacted by (changes in) the transport system. All requirements for E and at least half of additional requirements for C. In addition: clear analysis; differentiates between needs of and impacts on various user groups. All requirements for C and at least half of additional requirements for A. In addition:  thorough analysis grounded in relevant theory; strong conceptualization.
Identifies and discusses relevant contextual factors that influences a mobility innovation/policy intervention and its effects. In addition: clear analysis; including relative importance of various contextual factors. In addition: thorough analysis grounded in relevant theory; strong coneptualization.
Clearly outlines, based on given material, two scenarios of how a given mobility innovation/policy intervention might unfold over time, including a proto-assessment of their sustainability impact(s). In addition: based also on own relevant sources; discusses the relative likelyhood of different scenarios; strong assessment of their sustainability impact(s). In addition: discusses the role and stakes of various stakholders in different scenarios; critically reflects on sustainability impact(s).

Hand in assignment (INL1)

The individual assignment examines (A-F) learning outcomes [c], [g] and [h].

E D C B A
Applies a relevant theory, with only minor misunderstandings, to analyze a given mobility innovation/policy intervention in an urban context. All requirements for E and at least half of additional requirements for C. Applies theory creatively (independently) and convincingly (fruitfully given the particular case). All requirements for C and at least half of additional requirements for A. Applies theory reflectively (adressing strengths/weaknesses; contrasting different theoretical approaches).
Discusses the potential sustainability impact(s) of a given mobility innovation/policy intervention. Discusses the sustainability impact(s) of a given mobility innovation/policy intervention in various scenarios. In addition: critically addresses the trade-offs and tensions between different sustainability impacts.
Identifies, including a proto-analysis of, governance challenges related to a given moblity innovation/policy intervention. In addition: clear analysis; addresses the roles and stakes of multiple stakeholders. In addition: thorough analysis; critical reflection.

Final grade

The final grade of the full course (A-F) is weighted between a student’s grade in PRO1 and INL1, with some more weight given to INL1 as it corresponds to more credits, higher order learning goals, and reflects the individual student’s performance better than PRO1.

If not passed, the student will be failed with Fx if small adjustments needed, otherwise F.

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

No information inserted

Round Facts

Start date

31 Oct 2022

Course offering

  • Autumn 2022-51370

Language Of Instruction

English

Offered By

ABE/Urban and Regional Studies

Contacts