"Knowledge Factory - South Region 

Altermobility and demobility in the southern region: what alternatives for low-carbon mobility?

Duration: March 2022 - March 2023

Funding: €30,000

Project sponsor: Mesopolhis

Project team

Rodolphe Dodiergeographer, scientific and administrative advisor, PR AMU, UMR MESOPOLHIS, rodolphe.dodier@univ-amu.fr

Laurent Cailly (TELEMME), geographer, scientific advisor, MCF-HDR, UMR CITERES

Matthias Bourrissouxsociologist, research associate, UMR MESOPOLHIS

Joseph Cacciarisociologist, research associate, UMR IDHES

Marie Huyghegeographer, associate researcher, UMR CITERES

Matthieu Leborgnesociologist, research associate, UMR MESOPOLHIS

Nicolas Oppenchaimsociologist, MCF, UMR CITERES

By the MESOPOLHIS laboratory (UMR 7064 - Aix-Marseille university/CNRS/Sciences Po Aix) - Scientific partner: CITERES laboratory (UMR 7324 - University of Tours/CNRS)
In response to a call for proposals from the 'Foresight' department of the Southern Region as part of the 'Knowledge Factory' AAP, a multi-disciplinary team supported by UMR Mésopolhis (University of Aix-Marseille) and UMR Citeres (University of Tours) has been set up with the aim of supporting the Region in its approach, by proposing :

A review of theoretical and empirical knowledge on changes in the mobility behaviour of residents, understood at the individual level, in the French context and more specifically in the Southern Region, focusing on both demobility and alternative mobility.
A comparison of this state of research with a field approach aimed at identifying the challenges of behavioural change in different types of areas representative of the territories of the Southern Region. The aim is to identify specific obstacles or levers depending on the different territorial characteristics.
Support for regional and local players in adopting conceptual, methodological and empirical tools, enabling them to identify and/or reformulate mobility issues in their area.

Project objectives

  • To take stock of theoretical and empirical knowledge on changes in the mobility behaviour of local residents, and more specifically on the issue of demobility,  particularly in relation to the rapid contextual changes marked by 'interlocking crises': energy, social, health, climate, etc. The first part of the project will focus on definitions (alternative practices, demobility, chosen or suffered, etc.). A second perspective will aim to summarise, for each of the two themes, the models used by researchers to describe and analyse changes in behaviour. In both cases, attention will also be paid to critical approaches (efficiency, unintended consequences, induced social changes, etc.). A third aspect will be to summarise the results of recent surveys carried out in France and in the regions, and to propose a summary of the avenues to be explored for carrying out such surveys in the Southern Region. The final section will identify, through feedback from pilot projects outside the region, the diagnostic and support tools and practices used to plan change and/or reduce travel practices.
  • To compare this state of research with a field approach aimed at identifying the various forms of change (or lack thereof) in mobility practices in different types of areas representative of the territories of the Southern Region. A summary of the specific issues, obstacles and possible local initiatives will be proposed, based on the structuring of the regional territory into three main types of area: the metropolitan core (Avignon-Aix-Marseille-Toulon-Nice), the more isolated rural and Alpine margins (Mercantour, Haute-Durance, Baronnies, etc.), and the in-between area (Avignon-Aix-Marseille-Toulon-Nice).), and the regional in-between, made up of peri-urban or peri-metropolitan areas (Nord du Var, Basse Durance, etc.) and medium-sized towns (Gap, Digne, Manosque, etc.). The aim is also to provide information on a number of territorial enigmas relating to mobility, alternative mobility and demobility. The final objective is to arrive at a shared vision, with our partners in the Region, of the areas to be explored in greater depth in a possible second phase of the work.
  • To support regional and local players in adopting conceptual, methodological and empirical tools, enabling them to identify and/or reformulate mobility issues in their area, based on a better understanding of the levers and obstacles to behavioural change, adapted to their own local contexts. The aim is to give workshop participants the knowledge and tools they need to change the way they work on mobility.