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Expats Mobility Behaviour When Moving to Amsterdam

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Expats Mobility Behaviour When Moving to Amsterdam Expats mobility behaviour when moving to Amsterdam Master Thesis by Laura Aydin Expats mobility behaviour when moving to Amsterdam Master’s Thesis written by Laura Aydin University of Amsterdam Graduate School of Social Sciences Master Human Geography Academic Year 2016-2017 Laura Aydin 11193662 [email protected] 15th of June 2017 Supervisor: Dr. Cody Hochstenbach Second Reader: Dr. Marco te Brömmelstroet 1 Abstract Mobility behaviour can change, especially when moving and living in another socio-spatial context. Transport choices in particular important in growing cities all over the planet. Due to global urbanisation, many cities are struggling with transport issues and are looking for ultimate sustainable solutions. This is where Amsterdam with its vibrating cycling culture is seen as an example. Amsterdam is a city where cycling is not only part of the big image but also part of the culture of everyday life. Citizens of Amsterdam are almost obliged to cycle and, even though for locals, the cycling practice might seem normal, for expats, who are moving to Amsterdam from other countries around the world, it is one of the biggest changes they go through. In this thesis, I develop a framework that offers a deep understanding on how and why expats’ mobility behaviour might change when moving to Amsterdam. The findings mirror how various factors, such as the socio-spatial context, attitudes or experiences in the city influence mobility behaviour and vice versa. Research has been conducted via semi-structured in-depth interviews with expats who recently moved to Amsterdam. The results found that within this sample, expats are likely to adapt to the local mobility practice of cycling, especially when having a positive attitude towards cycling already. However, the purpose and reasons for cycling vary between all respondents. Acknowledgements Looking back when I started studying my Bachelors in Cultural and Social Sciences in Germany I had no idea I would end up studying Urban Geography at the University of Amsterdam one day. However during the years I clearly developed my interest in the social dimensions of urban life as well as a love for cycling. For this thesis, I am very happy to be able to combine these two passions. I have very much enjoyed doing this research project in the city of Amsterdam and getting to know the city and its residents while talking to many different people from all over the world. Also I have the feeling I have a different view on the city and its dimensions through the eyes of all my respondents. I very much enjoyed every single conversation I had. When writing this thesis, which was some days more difficult and frustrating than on others, I never lost the interest and drive to fulfil this project. Finally I would like to thank some people for their constant support during the time that I have been preparing and writing my thesis. I am thankful for my supervisor Cody Hochstenbach, for his continuous suggestions and critiques, which helped me finding the right path to write this thesis. I also want to thank all my respondents without whose time and cooperation I would not have been able to conduct this research. My Mum and Dad for making it possible for me to study at the University of Amsterdam in the first place and for always supporting my decisions! Gabriel, for always pushing and believing in me! And Fenna and Sarah for making the long library hours and thesis writing challenge an unforgettable time! 2 Table of Content Chapter 1. Introduction ..................................................................... 4 1.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2. Problem Statement ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.3. Societal and scientific relevance .................................................................................................. 5 Chapter 2: Theoretical Framework .................................................. 6 2.1. Concept of mobilities ....................................................................................................................... 6 2.2. Social practices and behaviour ..................................................................................................... 8 2.3. Influences on a change in mobility behaviour ..................................................................... 10 2.4. Spatial factors ................................................................................................................................... 13 2.5. Dutch cycling culture and behaviour ....................................................................................... 14 Chapter 3: Data & Methodology ..................................................... 17 3.1. Research Questions ........................................................................................................................ 17 3.2. Operationalization .......................................................................................................................... 18 3.3. Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 20 3.3.1. Data collection and methods ................................................................................................................ 20 3.3.2. Sampling ........................................................................................................................................................ 21 3.3.3. Data Analysis ............................................................................................................................................... 22 3.4. Advantages & Disadvantages ...................................................................................................... 23 3.5. Ethical aspects, positionality, biases ........................................................................................ 24 Chapter 4. Case description ............................................................. 25 Chapter 5. Empirical Results ........................................................... 28 Chapter 6. Discussion and Analysis ................................................ 39 6.1. Sub question 1 .................................................................................................................................. 40 6.2. Sub question 2 .................................................................................................................................. 41 6.3. Sub question 3 .................................................................................................................................. 42 6.4. Sub question 4 .................................................................................................................................. 44 6.5. Comparison with Dutch cycling behaviour ............................................................................ 45 6.6. Research Question .......................................................................................................................... 45 Chapter 7: Conclusion ...................................................................... 47 7.1. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 48 7.2. Future Research .............................................................................................................................. 51 7.3. Reflection ........................................................................................................................................... 52 References .......................................................................................... 54 Appendix ............................................................................................ 57 3 Chapter 1. Introduction 1.1. Introduction The quality of life in many cities around the globe is being affected by the negative impacts of increasing traffic levels. Transportation has always been a basic human need but it affects people’s lives everywhere increasingly. In growing urban metropolises, there is a necessity to search for more sustainable solutions. Car use is still the most used travel method worldwide, although cycling is becoming more and more popular as people are interested in ways to live a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. The city of Amsterdam, where the bicycle is by far the most widely used means of transport, can serve as an example for alternative mobility options. With cycling representing 36% of traffic movements (Gemeente Amsterdam, 2017), it is clear that bicycles play an important role in this city. However mobility practices are not only of interest for statistics, but rather with “being a social and embodied practice, mobility in part influences the sense of being connected to people and places through which an individual travels” (Te Brömmelstroet et al., 2017, p.4). Amsterdam’s transport infrastructure as well as the cycling culture build the spatial context where even people who have been living in other environments and are used to different modes of transport can go through a change. Many foreigners experience this change in transport choice and, therefore, this research tries to find explanations how the spatial context, social environment and embodied and
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