Multi-level forces and differential effects affecting birth cohorts that stimulate mobility change^*

* The research was conducted at the University of St Andrews.

Figures & data

Figure 1. A dynamic schema of the multi-level forces stimulating mobility change.

Table 1. Different multi-level forces affecting the mobility of the boomer cohort.

Period effects	Fluctuating fuel prices leading to changing car use and uptake of the concessionary travel pass. Labour market impacts – early retirement/increasing retirement age. Housing market cycle – older people did engage in residential moves during the recent economic recession Cooke (2011), suggesting that residential migration is being substituted for increased mobility.
Structural effects	Development of the private car and road system and car design adapted to the life-course of the Boomer cohort, for example, the development of estate cars when they were having children (Coughlin, 2009). Suburban residential development, processes of retreat from inner city urban area. Assistive tools for driving, e.g. satellite navigation devices and in-car vehicle technology. Potential for “driverless” cars. Access to free higher education, experienced long periods of economic growth enabling the acquisition of wealth and property over time (Hamilton & Hamilton, 2006; Spain, 1997). Short-distance residential mobility has been on a long-term downward trend since the 1970s in Britain (Champion & Shuttleworth, 2015). Potentially related to rising homeownership. Increases in life expectancy, leading to an ageing population, with older people being healthier and more active.
Deep structure effects	Dispersal of family networks and emergence of the “Sandwich generation” (dual caring of older parents and younger (grand)children (Demey et al., 2011). Changing residential locations, potential preference towards urban centres in retirement Higher expectations about mobility having obtained a driving licence as a “rite of passage” First to experience package holidays and emergence of low budget airlines. Thatcherite Govt ‘failure if on a bus at 26′ reinforcing car use.

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