Beyond traffic: Transportation as a social construct – mntransportationresearch.org

A Sociological Framework for Urban Transportation and Sustainable Development

Recent research from the University of Minnesota reframes urban transportation as a critical social construct, essential for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The work, led by Professor Yingling Fan in collaboration with Astrid Wood and Evelyn Blumenberg, moves beyond viewing transportation as mere physical infrastructure to analyze its profound impact on social equity, economic opportunity, and well-being.

The Interconnection of Transportation, Equity, and Well-being

The research identifies three key levels at which transportation functions as a social force, each with direct implications for the SDGs.

H3: Individual and Community Impact

At the individual level, transportation systems directly influence life opportunities. A lack of reliable public transit can be a significant barrier to employment and education, undermining progress on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Furthermore, long and stressful commutes negatively affect mental health, a key component of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). At the community level, transportation spaces like subway cars or public squares become arenas for social interaction, while debates over infrastructure such as bike lanes reflect broader societal values about public space, directly relating to the creation of inclusive and sustainable communities as outlined in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

H3: Systemic Inequality and SDG 10

The broadest perspective of the framework examines how transportation systems are embedded within societal structures. This view highlights how infrastructure and policy can reflect and reproduce existing social hierarchies, reinforcing patterns of privilege and disadvantage. This systemic analysis is crucial for addressing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Enduring legacies of transportation injustice, racism, and economic inequality manifest in the design and accessibility of transit systems. Issues such as violence in public mobility spaces disproportionately affect women and marginalized groups, creating barriers to achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

A Framework for Future Research Aligned with Global Goals

The researchers propose a theory of “urban transport as a social construct” to guide future scholarship and policy. This approach calls for a shift toward understanding transportation as a socio-political force that can either reinforce or challenge inequality. Four key directions for future research have been identified:

1. Social construction of transportation systems: This involves examining how systemic inequalities, power structures, and public involvement shape the design and operation of transportation. This aligns with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by calling for more inclusive and accountable governance in infrastructure planning.
2. Social benefits and burdens of transportation: This direction investigates how costs, environmental impacts, and access disparities disproportionately affect marginalized communities. It directly addresses SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) while also assessing transport’s links to employment (SDG 8), health (SDG 3), and overall quality of life.
3. Social interaction and cultural production in transportation spaces: This explores transportation spaces as arenas of social interaction and cultural expression. Understanding these dynamics is vital for creating the safe, inclusive, and accessible public spaces envisioned in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
4. Social and cultural determinants and experiences of travel: This focuses on how cultural values and social roles shape travel behavior and preferences across diverse groups. Such research is essential for designing equitable systems that serve all populations, contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Conclusion: Advancing Sustainable Urban Futures

By positioning transportation as a central arena where power, culture, and daily life converge, this framework provides a critical tool for policymakers and researchers. Adopting this sociological lens is fundamental to designing transportation systems that not only enhance mobility but also actively promote equity, justice, and well-being, thereby advancing the core mission of the Sustainable Development Goals to create better and more sustainable urban futures for all.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on urban transportation as a social construct connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by highlighting the profound impact of transportation systems on social equity, economic opportunity, health, and the structure of cities.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article connects transportation to health by mentioning how a “long, stressful commute impacts mental well-being” and by investigating transport’s links to “health” and “quality of life.”
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The research discussed in the article directly links transportation to economic opportunities, noting how a “lack of reliable public transportation might limit job opportunities for certain groups” and examining “transport’s links to employment.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The entire article is centered on “transport infrastructure” and “transportation systems.” It calls for a new understanding of this infrastructure not just as physical entities but as systems that must be designed to be equitable and sustainable.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: This is a central theme. The article emphasizes that transportation systems “both reflect and reproduce existing social structures, reinforcing patterns of privilege and disadvantage.” It discusses “transportation injustice and racism,” “economic inequality,” and how transport costs and environmental impacts “disproportionately affect marginalized communities.”
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The focus is on “urban transportation” and its role in shaping “urban life.” The research aims to understand how transportation can contribute to “better urban futures” by creating more inclusive and accessible cities for all residents.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The article directly addresses this by examining the need for “reliable public transportation” and highlighting issues of cost (“cost of the ride”), safety (“violence in spaces of public mobility”), and accessibility, especially for “disenfranchised” and “marginalized communities.”
2. Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all. The research framework described in the article is fundamentally about this target. It calls for examining how transportation systems lead to “disenfranchisement and exclusion” and reinforce “social hierarchies,” with the goal of creating systems that do not burden marginalized groups and instead promote inclusion.
3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The article’s core argument is that “transport infrastructure and policies” must be re-examined to ensure they do not “reproduce existing social structures” of inequality. It advocates for a shift in how infrastructure is planned to ensure it provides equitable benefits.
4. Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being. The article makes a specific connection to this target by citing how a “long, stressful commute impacts mental well-being,” identifying transportation as a direct factor in the daily well-being of populations.
5. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. The article supports this target by illustrating that access to transportation is a critical determinant of employment. It states that a “lack of reliable public transportation might limit job opportunities,” making equitable transport a prerequisite for achieving full employment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several metrics that could be used to measure progress:

• Access to employment and services: The article implies measuring the number and quality of job, health, and education opportunities accessible via public transportation, particularly for “marginalized communities.” This would help track progress on Targets 10.2 and 8.5.
• Commute time and stress levels: The mention of a “long, stressful commute” impacting “mental well-being” suggests that commute duration and self-reported stress levels of commuters are key indicators for measuring progress towards Target 3.4.
• Transportation affordability: The reference to the “cost of the ride” implies that the proportion of income spent on transportation by different socioeconomic groups would be a crucial indicator for measuring the affordability aspect of Target 11.2.
• Disparities in transportation burdens: The article’s focus on how “transport costs, environmental impacts, and disparities disproportionately affect marginalized communities” suggests an indicator that measures the distribution of negative impacts (e.g., pollution, noise, cost) across different demographic and geographic groups, relevant to Target 10.2.
• Perceived safety in public mobility spaces: The mention of “violence in spaces of public mobility” implies the need for indicators that measure public perception of safety on public transport and in related spaces, which is essential for the “safe” component of Target 11.2.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mntransportationresearch.org