Stakeholders' perceptions of urban mobility in a Central European country: a Q methodology approach

Abstract

Sustainable urban mobility endeavours to balance the mobility demand with reasonable and efficient supply to minimise negative impacts of transport. Within the European Union, the related strategic approach adheres to Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs), which cope with the issues mentioned and look for congruence among objectives in transport, land use and the environment to keep a valuable quality of life in cities. In Czechia, one of the Central European countries, the first generation of SUMPs has been just developed. SUMPs are a product of social consensus. Some types of stakeholders, such as national and local politicians, planners, experts and public transport service providers, have the highest potential to influence urban mobility strategy. Our research studies visions and standpoints of 41 of these stakeholders regarding strategic sustainable mobility planning. A range of opinions are examined related to transport and urban development within SUMPs. A mixed statistical technique known as Q method is used, combining qualitative and quantitative (factor) analysis. Three opinion groups are developed: (1) ‘Fewer cars, more alternatives’; (2) ‘Additional transport infrastructure solves (almost) everything’; and (3) ‘Support public transport and new technologies’. The shared opinions rely mostly on motivations rather than restrictions, partly on transport infrastructure provision. All the opinion groups think that car ownership is dispensable. We can expect that these opinions will guide urban mobility planning in the near future in Czechia.