Positioning the Private Car as a Political Problem

Abstract

Private car dependency in cities is often viewed as highly problematic. There is ample knowledge about how to structure and manage cities to support less private car dependence, yet cars continue to dominate transport practices across the globe. In this Viewpoint, we use car dependency as an example of an ostensibly obdurate problem sustained in part by policies promoted through political institutions. We position the legacy of the car as an issue with political dimensions, requiring research that is politically engaged. We introduce the concept of research about policy and juxtapose this with research for policy. We argue that the politicized institutions charged with policy processes are objects in urgent need of research and detail how this research might proceed.

Keywords:

• automobility
• evidence
• institutions
• policy

Notes

1 We are writing as urban researchers, and when referring to the research fraternity we include ourselves as part of that fraternity.

2 Originally termed research of policy.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Australian Research Council.

Notes on contributors

Jennifer L. Kent

JENNIFER KENT ([email protected]) is the urbanism research lead at the University of Sydney.

Patrick Harris

PATRICK HARRIS ([email protected]) is an expert in policy and political science at the intersections between health, equity, infrastructure and urban planning.