Chuang, Frank (Feng-yuan); (2022) Exploring the Role of Worldviews in the Transition to Sustainable Mobility with Cultural Theory and Agent-Based Modelling. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

Preview

Text Thesis.pdf - Other Download (12MB) | Preview

Abstract

The transition to sustainable mobility is critical to the world. Dealing with the transition is difficult because people holding distinct worldviews may vary in environmental attitudes and travel patterns. However, current mobility choice models fail to consider diverse worldviews. This would limit their use for addressing complex, debated issues such as the mode switch from private car to public transport. This research attempts to incorporate worldviews into the study of sustainable mobility transitions. Three cultures or worldviews defined by Cultural Theory are utilised. Egalitarianism highlights social equity and environmental rights. Hierarchy values order and conformity. Individualism endorses individual autonomy and economic growth. They represent three rationalities about social life and sustainability. In this research, a behavioural and decision making framework that can capture the influence of worldviews on mobility choices is proposed. The framework is implemented by an agent-based model, the London Mobility Model, to explore the transition from private car to public transport in London. This model requires the outputs of two models. First, the British Worldviews Model measures worldviews in Great Britain and groups British people into three types of worldview adherents. It shows that on average, egalitarians have the highest environmental awareness of car use problems; hierarchists, have the medium; and individualists, have the lowest. Second, a spatial microsimulation model, the London Worldviews Model, estimates worldviews across space and populations in London. The model produces a synthetic population that allocates Londoners to this city, illustrating distinct residential patterns of the three worldview groups. Built on these results, the London Mobility Model views London as a complex system. It portrays Londoners as the three types of adherents, who vary in population and contextual characteristics. The results identify distinct transition pathways to sustainability, demonstrating that worldviews have the potential to link various aspects of sustainable mobility and urban complexities.

Download activity - last month

Export as XMLJSONCSV

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as CSVXMLJSON

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as XMLJSONCSV

Archive Staff Only

View Item