My entry point into beginning to really think about and experience issues of spatial equity and mobility justice was when I became a mother and began navigating cities with a stroller and young child (later- children).
It expanded from there to thinking about many other inhabitants and their diverse mobility needs, something I’m now focused on today.
Motherhood really was a crucial portal of experience and new awareness shaping on equity in mobility, public transport, accessibility, and moving around the community.
Sharing about experiences of motherhood and mobility has led to so many new connections over the years.
I love networking in general but of course, it pulls on my heartstrings when fellow mums write me and share how they are moved by ‘motherhood and mobility’ stories and how their own lived experiences feed into insights about accessibility in their local communities that often also lends insight to the work they do.
Generally (and understandably) people are consumed with their own lives and that of their family and friends and not spending so much time thinking how to make environments more inclusive and liveable for diverse needs.
That’s the role of people who work to shape communities – urban planners, architects, urban designers, community advocates, environmental psychologists- to name just a few disciplines.
I was already connected to these disciplines before becoming a mother, but it really was my experiences as a motherhood navigating urban life with two young children that triggered a critical shift of awareness on issues of accessibility and inclusive urbanism.
Thanks to all who have connected over the years, compelled to also share their own stories and insight with me and publicly to help shape awareness as well as more interdisciplinary knowledge exchange towards the betterment of our lived environments and community health 👏🏽
I sent the above photo from ~2020 of myself back carrying my youngest child and pushing my older child in a stroller to a dear friend Laura, with whom I am always grateful for spirited (and sometimes therapeutically hilarious) dialogue and she noted:
“You should be a walkability model for whatever town that was! They could have their tourism board certified as easy to navigate for families with small children!”
Well, I would absolutely love that!
Does your town or city have engaging walkability campaigns for locals and visitors?
More on ‘Motherhood and Mobility’ at the following link.
https://pedestrianspace.org/category/motherhood-mobility/
Would you like to share your own parenthood / caregiver stories and anecdotes to be published at Pedestrian Space?
Please email info@pedestrianspace.org