Understanding Mobilities for Designing Contemporary Cities

This book explores the study of mobilities as a key to understanding the practices that both frame and generate contemporary everyday life in the urban context. At the same time, it investigates the challenges arising from interpretation of mobility as a socio-spatial phenomenon both in the social sciences and in urban studies. Leading sociologists, economists, urban planners, and architects address the ways in which spatial mobilities contribute in producing diversified uses of the city and describe forms and rhythms of different life practices, including unexpected and unplanned uses and conflicts. The individual sections of the book focus on the role of mobility in transforming contemporary cities; the consequences of interpreting mobility as a socio-spatial phenomenon for urban projects and policies; the conflicts and inequalities generated by the co-presence of different populations due to mobility and by the interests gathered around big mobility projects; and the use of new data and mapping of mobilities to enhance comprehension of cities. Theoretical discussion is complemented by references to practical experiences, leading the reader toward a broader understanding of mobilities in relation to the capacity to analyze, plan, and design contemporary cities.