Asimina Tsigarou, "Μobility poverty in Chania and Platanias", Diploma Work, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece, 2024
https://doi.org/10.26233/heallink.tuc.101197
The subject of the thesis is the study of mobility poverty for the municipalities of Chania and Platanias. For the collection and data process, an online questionnaire was distributed, accompanied by an invitation for encouraging citizens to participate. Subsequently, the data collected were processed in conjunction with demographics, in order to define a better understanding of the phenomenon of limited access to the public transport services. In the introduction, the initial definition of mobility poverty was given, together with aspects and layers of the phenomenon. The factors that accelerating the appearance of mobility poverty were defined, the affected target groups and critical findings from the limited available literature.The next chapter presents the methodological approach that was followed for the investigation of the phenomenon in the selected territories, aiming to collect the necessary responses through the structured questionnaire. The responses are presented in tabular form, accompanied by a brief description on the factors for which they are considered. After the presentation of the results, a discussion follows, which examines whether the phenomenon of mobility poverty in Platanias and Chania municipalities exists, and which are the circumstances that enhance its appearance. Mobility poverty phenomena are found in both municipalities, where the population is called to travel using alternative modes than the public transport since the services are considered limited. The limited provided services and absence of transportation equipment and infrastructure at local level, the low-quality services and the high-ticket cost seem to affect numerous of social groups.Concluding, a clearer and completed view of the problems faced by citizens is given. Vulnerable social groups such as women, low-income households, young and older people face challenges in terms of daily transportation. As a result, the identification of mobility poverty phenomena in both selected municipalities is derived from the research of this thesis. The outcome of the study is the understanding of the nature of this problem and the suggestion of solutions and further investigation, possibly for other municipalities with the same characteristics. The findings could be a reference point for the adoption and design of sufficient and inclusive transport services to promote the improvement of the quality of life for the residents, and the visitors also, of these popular tourist destinations.