Healthy Urban Mobility (HUM): The potential of participatory methodologies to facilitate community engagement for healthy urban mobility

Keywords: Healthy Urban Mobility, participatory methodologies, Oxford
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 02:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 03:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 23

Abstract

This paper draws on findings from the Healthy Urban Mobility (HUM) research project, that focused on urban health inequalities and links with urban mobility. The project used novel research methods to encourage active dialogue between local communities and policy makers in urban planning, health and wellbeing, and transport. It sought to explore the benefits and challenges of involving residents and stakeholders in the co-production of research and policy outcomes.

The study focused on two low/middle income neighbourhoods in Oxford (UK), taking a mixed methods approach with a range of participatory methods, including ‘go-alongs’, participatory mapping exercises and participatory video. The findings of the research were presented as a series of Community Priorities, with recommendations for the municipality and other agencies, related to healthy urban mobility.

In one area, the Community Priorities were taken up by the local Health and Wellbeing Partnership, which supported a project identified through the research, to better maintain the underpasses that link the neighbourhood to the wider area, to encourage active travel. The underpass was renovated, with a mural co-created with residents participating in its design.

A key objective of the research project was to explore the potential for participatory mobilities planning to develop solutions for healthy urban mobility. The research suggests that, while there is great potential to build participatory methods into similar research projects, this requires building trust between communities and stakeholders, as well as an awareness of the power (im)balances that impact on the influence that communities can have in decision-making.