(Not so) free-float mobility How free-float mobility became regulated in Amsterdam, Brussels and Madrid Rens L. Jonker Supervisor: Bas van Heur Co-supervisor: Nadia Casabella Master thesis presented in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Urban Studies (VUB) and Master of Science in Geography, general orientation, track ‘Urban Studies’ (ULB) Date of submission: August 12, 2019 Table of contents Foreword ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Mobility and the city ............................................................................................................................................. 6 1.2 A move towards shared mobility ........................................................................................................................ 7 1.3 Defining new models of sharing .......................................................................................................................... 7 1.4 Surge of free-float mobility .................................................................................................................................. 8 1.5 Competition between free-float mobility operators ......................................................................................... 9 1.6 Free-float mobility in the city ............................................................................................................................... 9 1.7 Regulating free-float mobility .............................................................................................................................. 9 1.8 Academic relevance ........................................................................................................................................... 10 2. Research goal .......................................................................................................................................... 11 3. Research question ................................................................................................................................... 11 4. Theoretical framework ............................................................................................................................ 12 4.1 Searching for a theory ........................................................................................................................................ 12 4.2 What is ANT? ....................................................................................................................................................... 14 4.3 What does ANT do? ........................................................................................................................................... 14 4.4 ANT and the introduction of new technologies .............................................................................................. 15 4.5 ANT and the formulation of policy and regulations ........................................................................................ 15 4.6 Translation and its stages .................................................................................................................................. 15 4.6.1 Problematisation ....................................................................................................................................... 15 4.6.2 Interessement ............................................................................................................................................ 16 4.6.3 Enrolment ................................................................................................................................................... 16 4.6.4 Mobilisation ................................................................................................................................................ 16 4.7 Methodological principles of ANT .................................................................................................................... 16 5. Sub-questions ......................................................................................................................................... 17 6. Research context .................................................................................................................................... 18 7. Methodology ............................................................................................................................................ 21 7.1 Application of ANT principles ............................................................................................................................ 21 7.2 Research strategy ............................................................................................................................................... 21 7.3 Analysing and processing the findings ............................................................................................................ 23 7.4 Case selection for interviews ............................................................................................................................. 24 7.4.1 Amsterdam ................................................................................................................................................. 24 7.4.2 Brussels ...................................................................................................................................................... 25 7.4.3 Madrid ......................................................................................................................................................... 26 7.4.4 Supranational ............................................................................................................................................. 27 2 8. Problematisation ..................................................................................................................................... 28 8.1 Amsterdam ........................................................................................................................................................... 28 8.1.1 Bicycles ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 8.1.2 Kickscooters .............................................................................................................................................. 30 8.1.3 Scooters ..................................................................................................................................................... 30 8.2 Brussels ................................................................................................................................................................ 31 8.2.1 Bicycles ...................................................................................................................................................... 31 8.2.2 Kickscooters .............................................................................................................................................. 32 8.2.3 Scooters ..................................................................................................................................................... 32 8.3 Madrid ................................................................................................................................................................... 32 8.3.1 Bicycles ...................................................................................................................................................... 32 8.3.2 Scooters ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 8.3.3 Kickscooters .............................................................................................................................................. 33 8.4 Synthesis .............................................................................................................................................................. 34 9. Interessement .......................................................................................................................................... 36 9.1 Amsterdam ........................................................................................................................................................... 36 9.2 Brussels ................................................................................................................................................................ 37 9.3 Madrid ................................................................................................................................................................... 38 9.4 Synthesis .............................................................................................................................................................. 38 10. Enrolment .............................................................................................................................................