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The private car is currently the most dominant form of transport among families with school aged children, yet we lack transport policies that address children’s mobility equity issues. On the contrary, many transport policies consider the lack of car ownership as a disadvantage, as opposed to developing strategies to reinforce and utilise this position towards more socially inclusive and environmentally just mobilities. In the context of Western social norms, car-based mobilities of children are generally seen as unavoidable outcomes of our modern society. In order to disrupt these views, we need transport policies that fully recognise the equitable access to affordable sustainable mobility for all age groups. This paper explores the general assumptions that guide various local government transport policies and social practices including the expectation that children are best accompanied by their parents (generally in a car) to be safe from car traffic when accessing everyday services. It articulates how this neo-liberal view counteracts with children’s basic rights to have access to places that support their needs for learning and playing and participating in civic life. Finally, the paper aims to emphasise the importance of transport as a social function, in re-shifting the centre of expectations and responsibilities for children’s mobility, from individuals and cars to the wider society through more sustainable means. This is in light of the view that cars don’t afford freedom, they lead to mobility injustice by creating dependencies for their owners while restricting the mobility freedom of others,especially children. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

It has been universally acknowledged that car dependency is rapidly increasing amongst families with children, particularly in developed countries. This paper, as part of an ongoing research project, aims to frame sustainable mobility through the lens of children’s daily life. The key aim of this project is to develop planning strategies to create precincts which are conducive to walking, cycling and active playing – precincts that are purposely child friendly. This paper discusses the preliminary findings of the first phase of primary data collection; that of surveys from senior primary school aged children. The questions from these surveys capture the participants’ travel patterns and their use of public places along with their play habits. The concept of ecological psychology, namely affordances, behaviour settings and accessibility, provides the framework for analysis. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Refereed/Peer-reviewed There is a growing body of research recognising the complexity surrounding children’s mobilities influenced by multifaceted and relational factors. This is critical in the provision of an evidence base to better inform transport policies aimed at reducing private car usage in countries such as Australia where the private car dominates the everyday mobilities of families with school-aged children. This paper draws on quantitative and qualitative survey data from 296 children aged 9 to 18 and 84 parents living in Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia and investigates children’s travel behaviour for accessing their daily educational destinations (both school and extra-curricular activities). The paper utilises concepts such as “transport rationales” and “household elasticity” with an aim to determine the non-instrumental and relational configurations in children’s mobility. The findings reveal that children’s everyday mobilities and the decision-making behind the significant use of cars to transport children in Australia are highly complex and are based on more than instrumental reasons such as affect, care and comfort. The implications of these findings are discussed in the context of Australian policies to address the high level of private car usage to transport children to their daily destinations.

Comprehensive spatial plans require a wide range of high quality spatial data, but planning requirements are not always considered in the increasing number of spatial data initiatives. This paper presents a framework for systematically analysing the availability and quality of spatial datasets in urban planning, and applies this to the example of the metropolitan strategy for Greater Adelaide, South Australia. The findings reveal significant gaps in important spatial data that are publicly available. This is especially concerning given the need to better understand integrated and multi-scalar planning policies such as for mixed use developments and polycentric urban structures. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Thesis (PhD(Urban and Regional Planning))--University of South Australia, 2020. Includes bibliographical references (pages 233-257) In the context of the dominance of the car in the daily lives of families with children, this research project examines factors contributing to the extent of private car usage to transport children to school and non-school destinations as well as the carbon footprints associated with these travel patterns. The research as documented in this thesis frames the complex, multifaceted and dynamic nature of these daily travel patterns by drawing on sociological perspectives on childhood and youth and the literature on other socio-cultural and spatial influences from geography and cultural studies.

The research presented in this report was guided by the following two research objectives: 1) to identify current gaps and potentials in addressing spatial data requirements for metropolitan planning; and 2) to investigate the limitations and potentials of available spatial data to inform metropolitan planning policies, using the example of Greater Adelaide, and to discuss the current challenges affecting the provision of comprehensive and integrated spatial data for urban and regional planning in Australia.

While the significant contribution of transport in greenhouse gas emissions is well researched, the pivotal role that children's transport plays in these trends is not fully understood. This paper assesses the potential of integrating the hitherto separate literature and policy bodies of sustainable travel planning with that of child friendly cities, in order to better inform policy development. Based on a review of literature on child friendly cities and sustainable travel, we have developed a new operational framework for child centred sustainable travel policies. The framework measures consideration given to sustainable travel in children's policies and promotion of children and young people's needs and rights in sustainable travel policies from the point of view of children as equal citizens. We then review 25 child friendly policy and guidelines and 19 sustainable travel policies from Australian local governments, using this framework. This policy review finds limited integration between policies on child and youth friendliness and sustainable mobility, despite the recognition of the reduced rates of active travel amongst children. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Whilst there is an extensive body of research on the social and environmental concerns associated with private car usage and the role of the built environment and urban form in sustainable travel, there is limited focus on children's active contribution to these trends, both as part of the problem with their carbon intensive travel patterns and as part of the solution with their capacity to be agents for a positive change. Private cars are heavily relied on by families with children that lead to a wide range of health and environmental issues. In the context of the 'pre-cognitive, habitual' theories of travel behaviour, these travel patterns are likely to be carried into their adulthood. Policy responses to tackle these issues (such as urban consolidation policies) do not generally make room for children in their deliberations. This article aims to explore the place of children in the trends and discourses related to car dependence and sustainable travel in Australian cities and calls for a greater attention to children's travel patterns for more effective policies and longer-lasting benefits. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Parenting responsibilities in the context of children’s mobility have been subject to a substantial change over the last few decades. Children’s current activities and travel patterns are significantly different to the previous generations when they were at the same age.Today’s children are exposed to increased car use and are chauffeured for the majority of their trips. A range of social and environmental factors have contributed to the formation of these travel patterns which include the changing societal perceptions of safety (traffic and stranger danger), easy access to cars, increased income levels, higher employment rates for women, increased number of trips children undertake due to contemporary lifestyles and the built environment conditions that privilege private car usage over other travel modes. Social issues associated with reduced independent mobility of children have been highlighted by previous research. However, the environmental cost of these lifestyles have been researched to a lesser degree. Based on the preliminary findings of an ongoing major research project,this paper delves further into the environmental cost of ‘parental taxis’ through examination of 53 parental surveys regarding travel patterns to and from extra-curricular activities. The paper aims to produce an evidence base surrounding the environmental cost of the parental car dependent lifestyles of today’s children and their families. The findings exhibit a large number of round trips (both during the week and on the weekend) to educational destinations other than school for 10 to 13 year old children. These figures highlight the significant potential for carbon emission reduction through the conversion of some of these trips to non car modes. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Children today spend more time in cars than previous generations. They also spend less time playing on the streets and in unstructured and unsupervised activity outdoors. The lack of opportunities for physical activity and the loss of freedom to explore their local neighbourhood is bad news for children’s physical, social and mental well-being.