Unequal Access to Urban Transport: An Invisible Barrier to Social Equity
Acceso desigual al transporte urbano: una barrera invisible para la equidad social
Keywords:
Transport equity, Accessibility, Gender and mobility, Disability rights, Inclusive urban planningAbstract
This paper investigates the unequal access to urban public transportation systems among women and people with disabilities in major Latin American cities. While urban mobility studies often prioritize infrastructure and efficiency, this research emphasizes the social dimensions of accessibility, revealing how systemic neglect of gender and disability considerations reinforces urban inequality. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including spatial analysis, surveys, and stakeholder interviews in selected metropolitan areas, the study uncovers both physical and institutional barriers that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. The novelty of this research lies in its intersectional analysis of transport accessibility, highlighting how urban planning often overlooks the needs of marginalized groups. By framing public transportation as a social justice issue, the study contributes to inclusive mobility policy debates and proposes actionable recommendations for equitable urban development.
Este artículo analiza el acceso desigual a los sistemas de transporte público urbano entre mujeres y personas con discapacidad en las principales ciudades de América Latina. Aunque los estudios sobre movilidad urbana suelen centrarse en la infraestructura y la eficiencia, esta investigación destaca las dimensiones sociales de la accesibilidad, revelando cómo la falta sistemática de consideración de género y discapacidad refuerza la desigualdad urbana. Mediante un enfoque metodológico mixto —que incluye análisis espacial, encuestas y entrevistas con actores clave en áreas metropolitanas seleccionadas— el estudio identifica barreras físicas e institucionales que afectan desproporcionadamente a poblaciones vulnerables. La originalidad de esta investigación reside en su análisis interseccional de la accesibilidad al transporte, mostrando cómo la planificación urbana frecuentemente omite las necesidades de los grupos marginados. Al posicionar el transporte público como un asunto de justicia social, el estudio contribuye a los debates sobre políticas de movilidad inclusiva y ofrece recomendaciones prácticas para un desarrollo urbano equitativo.
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