Transport Justice in the Suburbs: Leveraging Social Capital to Reduce Transport Disadvantage
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Transport Justice in the Suburbs: Leveraging social capital to reduce transport disadvantage Laurel Marie Johnson Master of Built Environment (City and Regional Planning) QUT https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9928-0246 A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2020 School of Earth and Environmental Sciences i Transport Justice in the Suburbs, 2020 Abstract Transport infrastructure and transport services are vital to a city’s function. Transport connects citizens with employment, goods, services and each other. Despite this shared understanding of the central role of transport in urban life, for some city residents, the cost, availability, reliability, convenience and/or quality of transport constrains their access to the city’s assets. These individuals experience transport disadvantage. Transport disadvantage is strongly associated with locational and social disadvantage, though causality is complex. In this study I use a longitudinal research method to investigate transport disadvantage at a single urban location. The purpose of the research is to understand the factors that reduce transport disadvantage. The research method is qualitatively-dominant mixed methods and the theoretical interest is the roles of social capital in reducing transport disadvantage. The investigation presents policy, theoretical and methodological findings and recommendations. The research highlights a model of governance that delivered new transport infrastructure and services designed by residents in a transport- disadvantaged place. A significant policy recommendation is that linking social capital in the form of authentic power with and enduring local governance arrangements in transport disadvantaged places can be potent in reducing transport disadvantage. Theoretical recommendations include expanding social capital theory to inquire into the role of kindness in enabling mobility in transport disadvantaged places and extending transport poverty theory to consider locational disadvantage as a factor in transport poverty. The research promotes qualitatively-dominant, local and mixed methods investigations as a way to better understand transport disadvantage and the ways to reduce it. ii Transport Justice in the Suburbs, 2020 Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, financial support and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my higher degree by research candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis and have sought permission from co-authors for any jointly authored works included in the thesis. iii Transport Justice in the Suburbs, 2020 Publications included in this thesis Research Papers 1. Johnson, L. & Herath, S. (2004). Big Roads, No Transport: A report of the Goodna and Gailes Community Mapping for Transport Improvements Study, Research Monograph 5. Brisbane: Urban Research Program, Griffith University. 2. Johnson, L. (2005). Still Waiting: A report of the Carole Park Community Mapping for Transport Improvements Study. Brisbane: Urban Research Program, Griffith University. Journal Article 1. Grant-Smith, D., Osborne, N., & Johnson, L. (2017). Managing the challenges of combining mobilities of care and commuting: an Australian perspective. Community, Work & Family 20(2): 201-210. Book Chapters 1. Burton, P. & Johnson, L. (2010). Getting on and getting around: transport, mobility and disadvantage. In Gleeson, B. & Steele, W. (Eds.). A Climate for Growth: planning South-East Queensland (pp. 220-237). St Lucia: University of Queensland Press. 2. Grant-Smith, D., Edwards, P., & Johnson, L. (2018). Putting Children in their Place on Public Transit: Managing Mobilities in the Child-Friendly City. In Demaziere C., Freestone R. & Silver, C. (Eds.). Dialogues in Urban and Regional Planning 6: The Right to the City, pp. 201-217. New York: Routledge. Submitted manuscripts included in this thesis No manuscripts included submitted for publication. Other publications during candidature No other publications iv Transport Justice in the Suburbs, 2020 Contributions of Others to the Thesis No contributions by others to this thesis. Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree No works submitted towards another degree have been included in this thesis. Research involving Human or Animal Subjects This research involved human subjects and obtained human research ethics approval from The University of Queensland’s Faculty of Science Low and Negligible Risk Committee (approval no. 20170806) and The University of Queensland’s Institutional Human Research Ethics Committee (approval no. 201900965). The ethics approval letter is Appendix A. v Transport Justice in the Suburbs, 2020 Acknowledgement This thesis is not possible without the participation of the residents of Ellen Grove, Queensland, Australia. They endure, thrive and care for each other despite many hardships. I have learnt a lot from them about meaningful relationships and kindness. I hope they get the transport system they need to live a good life. My principal advisor Professor Neil Sipe is a clever and kind man. He has provided strategic advice and gentle guidance along the way. I am ever grateful to him. Professor Jago Dodson provided important advice at the mid-term review that assisted me to focus the work. Many thanks to Jago. The research affirms my belief in the important role of public Universities to actively use their resources for public benefit, particularly for the benefit of voiceless individuals, communities and places. Much thanks to the University of Queensland and my colleagues in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, especially David Pullar who each stepped up when I needed him in the final stage. The technical editor Dr Catriona McLeod did an incredible job reading and editing the thesis. I wasn’t game to ask my family or friends to do that. Many thanks to Catriona. Finally, many thanks to the two examiners and the chief examiner who each generously took time to add good value to the research. I am indebted to you. vi Transport Justice in the Suburbs, 2020 Financial Support The first stage of the research was funded by Brisbane City Council. No financial support was provided to fund the second stage of this research. Keywords transport disadvantage, social capital, transport poverty, transport justice, kindness capital Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC) ANZSRC code: 120506, Transport Planning, 70%, ANZSRC code: 120501, Community Planning, 30% Fields of Research (FoR) Classification FoR code: 1205, urban and regional planning, 70%, FoR code: 1604, human geography, 30% Dedications My extraordinary Mother died suddenly without illness during this research at the end of 2017. My heart broke. I knew she would want me to finish the research. My mother knew the vital importance of good transport, particularly for women with children and older people. This thesis is for my funny, creative, intelligent, irreverent, courageous, hard working mother, Heather Johnson. She would be very impressed that the research was largely responsible for a free Ellen Grove community bus service. Thanks for everything Mum. Because of her, I can. vii Transport Justice in the Suburbs, 2020 Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... ii Tables ................................................................................................................................................... xiii Figures .................................................................................................................................................. xiii Glossary of Terms, Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................. xv Chapter 1 Introduction to the research .................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Research Problem ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Research