Children’s urban mobility: research agenda and possibilities for analysis

Abstract

This article presents an ongoing research agenda on children’s urban mobility in Brasilia (DF). The research object, the urban mobility of children residing in Administrative Regions of the Federal District different from the one where they study, considered a Plano Piloto school-class as a research field. From a methodological design that comprised the session of a short film followed by a debate, a drawing, and an individual interview, it was possible to access experiences of 243 children who attend pre-school and Elementary School. The data generated allowed an analysis of the transport modals; routes; people who accompany children on the course; and interactions. Preliminary conclusions suggest that the reality of children’s mobility is much more complex than quantitative origin/destination research suggests. Combinations of modals, arrangements with relatives and friends, and other strategies for accommodating
children’s transportation needs are quite frequent.