Investigating the Mobility Capabilities and Functionings in Accessing Schools Through Walking: A Quantitative Assessment of Public and Private Schools in Sao Paulo (Brazil)

Author(s)

Humberto, Mateus ^[1] ; Pizzol, Bruna ^[2] ; Moura, Filipe ^[1] ; Giannotti, Mariana ^[3] ; de Lucca-Silveira, Marcos Paulo ^[4]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Lisbon, CERIS, Inst Super Tecn, Ave Rovisco Pais 1, P-1049001 Lisbon - Portugal

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Politecn, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Politecn, Geoproc LAB, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Metropolitan Studies, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND CAPABILITIES; v. 21, n. 2 MAR 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Despite being recognised as an appropriate tool to address different dimensions of transport-related social exclusion, the Capability Approach still lacks application within the domain of school transportation. This study conceptualised the vectors of collective functionings and capabilities of preschools and nurseries in Sao Paulo. From the location of 204 schools, the conditions to access schools through walking were assessed using georeferenced datasets relating to mobility, road safety, and the built environment. The schools were analysed according to their conditions to walk (resources) and the corresponding conversion rates to achieve higher shares of pedestrian trips (functionings), considering the idiosyncrasies between public and private schools. That enabled the estimation of the mobility capabilities, which presented gaps when compared with the functionings. Results corroborated with the class and race disparities in the access to education in Brazil, in which schools with poorer conditions to walk do not have any other options than walking to go to school (e.g. transit or bicycle), requiring investments in the upgrading of the urban infrastructure. On the other hand, schools in wealthier regions present barriers to the fulfilment of active mobility even when the resources are considered sufficient, in which the implementation of educational programmes in recommended. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/10878-7 - Measuring health inequities: Strengthening the dialogue between normative political theory and empirical studies
• Grantee: Marcos Paulo de Lucca Silveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral