Accessibility challenges for older adults in South Manchester: a capability approach

Accessibility is critical in achieving sustainable and equitable transport systems. This study investigates the accessibility of older adults, a group that has received little attention in the accessibility literature yet faces significant mobility barriers. Following qualitative approaches, includi...

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Main Authors: Elisha Henry, Gideon Baffoe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19463138.2024.2380053
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author Elisha Henry
Gideon Baffoe
author_facet Elisha Henry
Gideon Baffoe
author_sort Elisha Henry
collection DOAJ
description Accessibility is critical in achieving sustainable and equitable transport systems. This study investigates the accessibility of older adults, a group that has received little attention in the accessibility literature yet faces significant mobility barriers. Following qualitative approaches, including interviews and open-ended questionnaires, and employing the Accessibility as a Capability framework (AaaC) and Transport-Related Social Exclusion (TRSE) dimensions, the study analyses the opportunities and barriers older adults face in accessing transport systems in six wards of South Manchester. Results reveal the crucial role of individual abilities and perceptions in converting resources into access. Analysis of travel experiences showed that even when accessibility appears high, older adults may still expend a significant amount of effort to gain accessibility, particularly through emotional ‘work’ caused by transport-related fear and stress. The findings suggest a focus on the subjective aspects of travel to remove barriers to accessibility and improve access to valued capabilities while creating more equitable and sustainable transport systems.
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series International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development
spelling doaj-art-7ced4ec9d46e4979a74cd061fbc0a66e2025-08-20T02:50:41ZengTaylor & Francis GroupInternational Journal of Urban Sustainable Development1946-31381946-31462024-12-0116124526110.1080/19463138.2024.2380053Accessibility challenges for older adults in South Manchester: a capability approachElisha Henry0Gideon Baffoe1Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, UKDepartment of Environment and Geography, University of York, York, UKAccessibility is critical in achieving sustainable and equitable transport systems. This study investigates the accessibility of older adults, a group that has received little attention in the accessibility literature yet faces significant mobility barriers. Following qualitative approaches, including interviews and open-ended questionnaires, and employing the Accessibility as a Capability framework (AaaC) and Transport-Related Social Exclusion (TRSE) dimensions, the study analyses the opportunities and barriers older adults face in accessing transport systems in six wards of South Manchester. Results reveal the crucial role of individual abilities and perceptions in converting resources into access. Analysis of travel experiences showed that even when accessibility appears high, older adults may still expend a significant amount of effort to gain accessibility, particularly through emotional ‘work’ caused by transport-related fear and stress. The findings suggest a focus on the subjective aspects of travel to remove barriers to accessibility and improve access to valued capabilities while creating more equitable and sustainable transport systems.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19463138.2024.2380053Accessibilitymobilitycapability approachadultsManchester
spellingShingle Elisha Henry
Gideon Baffoe
Accessibility challenges for older adults in South Manchester: a capability approach
International Journal of Urban Sustainable Development
Accessibility
mobility
capability approach
adults
Manchester
title Accessibility challenges for older adults in South Manchester: a capability approach
title_full Accessibility challenges for older adults in South Manchester: a capability approach
title_fullStr Accessibility challenges for older adults in South Manchester: a capability approach
title_full_unstemmed Accessibility challenges for older adults in South Manchester: a capability approach
title_short Accessibility challenges for older adults in South Manchester: a capability approach
title_sort accessibility challenges for older adults in south manchester a capability approach
topic Accessibility
mobility
capability approach
adults
Manchester
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19463138.2024.2380053
work_keys_str_mv AT elishahenry accessibilitychallengesforolderadultsinsouthmanchesteracapabilityapproach
AT gideonbaffoe accessibilitychallengesforolderadultsinsouthmanchesteracapabilityapproach