Gender based mobility of urban poor

Abstract

The rapid urbanization of developing countries presents a significant challenge in the form of urban poverty. The different aspects of poverty such as access to food, income, shelter with proper sanitation and water supply, healthcare and education resources, social support systems, and more are all interlinked with each other. One such problem is transportation, which determines access to all other facilities. In India, mobility restrictions pose a significant obstacle to the involvement of the low-income population, particularly women who have traditionally played an active role in society. It is widely acknowledged that poverty is not experienced equally among different groups of people, and that factors such as gender, age, caste, class, ethnicity, and household dynamics can influence one's access to income, food security, and life opportunities. Unfortunately, those who are most negatively impacted by these inequitable power relations tend to be women, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and young girls. When examining the economic activities of those living in poverty in urban areas, many are involved in informal work, with women often occupying the lowest positions in subcontracting arrangements and performing tasks such as home-based piecework and domestic services for very low wages. The present degree of mobility they possess can be considered satisfactory for carrying out their anticipated responsibilities as individuals with low-level skills in their jobs, students attending underprivileged schools, or people who manage households on a full-time basis. However, with the time when a change in their role and responsibilities is required, the limited mobility option restrict their ability to reach those new sites which new activities would demand. Thus, this limits their chance to move out of poverty. The city of Patna has been chosen as a case study to understand how the urban poor, especially women living in slums, with limited financial resources move around within the city. Patna represents the complex interplay of poverty, informal economy, and the displacement and resettlement of people within the city. The study's primary objective is to gain insight into how women belonging to the lower socio-economic strata manage their mobility issues and financial limitations. The focus is on examining the strategies employed by the impoverished to address their transportation needs, given their restricted economic means. Additionally, the study seeks to understand how being a captive rider affects their ability to access new economic opportunities. The research employs a mixed methods strategy, which integrates qualitative narratives from individuals with a quantitative household survey and an examination of secondary documents. The survey findings indicate that a set of social behaviours have emerged as a result of limited access to affordable transportation, and the added responsibility of being the primary caregiver for the family. Women's travel pattern is defined by the movement of care, with women making a greater number of trips associated with care giving work to maintain the household. Furthermore, they often engage in "trip chaining," meaning they frequently travel for various purposes and make multiple stops before reaching their destination. They currently rely on low-energy mobility practices such as walking (72%), and public transportation (10%) and rest by E-rickshaw and shared auto rickshaw. Despite their low environmental impact, these practices are not adequately considered in the city's urban and transport planning. The urban poor face a paradoxical situation where they cannot afford motorized transportation, which accounts for 10-14% of their monthly household income. As a result, they encounter difficulties in accessing improved opportunities due to the unavailability of affordable and reliable transportation services. This thesis attempts to broaden society's understanding of the difficulties faced by impoverished urban women in terms of mobility, and to propose solutions that can enhance their ability to access the emerging economic opportunities.