What if we no longer had private cars. A study of applying co-design to find solutions for the future of sustainable mobility in rural areas

Mathiesen, Rune Lindenskov

4. Term

Sustainable Design (M.SC)

2023

2023-06-01

36 pages

Mobility in rural Denmark is struggling to maintain the same level of service and passengers, as more and more people buy private cars. This development is only strengthened as the dominant regime of private car ownership receives political support and initiatives for private electric cars in the future. A development that will have a negative effect on global sustainability goals such as the SDGs. However, academic literature reveals that rural mobility can be considered profitable when seen from a holistic perspective and that local actors should be included in the development of mobility solutions to avoid social exclusion and establish systems and solutions that will be long-lasting. To challenge the dominant regime of private car ownership, this master thesis was conducted. It has done so by analyzing and investigating the field of rural mobility and the possibilities of developing adjustments to the regime. Based on the empirical data collected with desk research, interviewing practitioners in the field, and co-design through workshops, a conceptualization of a facilitation tool is proposed in SyncWorks. In conclusion, SyncWorks is developed to understand and include the actors as this is key in adjusting the dominant regime. With this, the intention is to equip Danish practitioners in rural mobility, in their work toward establishing valuable, inclusive, and sustainable mobility solutions in rural areas of Denmark.

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