Labee, Ayleen (2023) Rising fuel prices and car dependency: Coping mechanisms of households in rural areas. Master thesis.
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Final Thesis Economic Geography 04-07_S3132226.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Recently fuel prices have been rising steadily. This rise in costs of transport often does not influence everyone equally. People living in car dependent areas are more vulnerable to the effects of rising fuel prices. Where for high-income households this is often manageable it can present new challenges for middle-income households. Furthermore, for low-income households this might mean that they have to adopt coping mechanisms that damage their potential to achieve what they aim to achieve even further than before. In this research paper the Capabilities Approach is adopted as a framework to shed light on the coping mechanisms that households in different economic groups and with different purposes of travel adopt to cope with the sudden rise in costs of traveling by car. To shed light upon these coping mechanisms a theoretical analysis was conducted to identify determinants of car dependency. Consequently, a qualitative analysis was conducted to gain insight into the priorities and values that shape behaviour in this situation of rising prices. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with participants living in car dependent areas and in addition expert interviews were conducted to identify trends and developments related to quickly rising fuel prices and coping mechanisms adopted by different families. Findings indicate that middle-income families are able to cope by adopting coping mechanisms that take place within the household such as economizing. These coping mechanisms do not impact travel behaviour and participation. Low-income families, on the other hand, are often forced to adopt coping mechanisms that do impact their ability to participate and travel. These coping mechanisms consist of cutting down on health, social and employment activities or can result in doing nothing, in other words, often going into debt. Furthermore, purpose of travel, as included in this research project, also has a significant impact on travel behaviour in times of rising prices. Being employed or having travel obligations because of children further expands the impact of car dependency and the limitations of being able to adapt travel behaviour. These concepts and findings are discussed within this research thesis as it sheds light upon the difference of impact of rising fuel prices between income groups and within income groups by taking reasoning and ability into account through usage of the Capabilities Approach.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
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| Degree programme: | Economic Geography |
| Supervisor: | Tillema, T. |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Aug 2023 11:21 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Aug 2023 11:21 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4334 |
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