Diversity of Children’s Independent Mobility in Dhaka

Abstract

Children’s mobility environment is an ignored topic in discussions of sustainable urbanisation in the Global South. This study explores the independent mobility of children from ages 7 to 15 in Dhaka—reportedly the world’s densest urban conglomeration. Surveys and interviews of children ( n = 308) and their parents were conducted in eight schools in Dhaka, located in three strategically selected residential areas. Children’s independent mobility (CIM) was then analysed with reference to relevant themes across social profiles of children. The results depict the current state of CIM in Dhaka: 59 per cent of the children experienced a low degree of CIM from school to home. The degree of CIM varied noticeably across study areas, income groups, age and gender groups. The presence of cars in streets was identified as an important barrier for CIM by both children and parents. These results could inform policymakers, transportation planners and urban advocates focussing on creating an inclusive and child-friendly urban environment.

Higher independent mobility to school among adolescents: A secondary analysis using cross‐sectional data between 2010 and 2017 in Spanish youth

“…In children, this prevalence is consistent with other recent studies conducted in other Spanish cities 19 . Compared to the rest of the world, the prevalence of IM in children was slightly lower than that found in Germany and England 10 and in adolescents the prevalence of IM was slightly higher than that found in Finland and Asia 11,18 . Available evidence suggests a wide range of variables such as age, gender, family background, socioeconomic status and the structure of their neighbourhoods, as important individual, social and environmental factors that influence IM in children and adolescents 20 .…”

“…In the current study, there were no significant changes in IM rates among Spanish children and adolescents during the 2010–2017 period. Opposite results were found previously in several studies, which have reported a decline in IM rates among children and adolescents from 1971 to 2010 10,11,18 . The absence of changes in IM rates in Spain showed in the current study could be reflect the policies that Spanish society had adopted into potentiate more active and independent behaviours in the population.…”

“…Opposite results were found previously in several studies, which have reported a decline in IM rates among children and adolescents from 1971 to 2010. 10,11,18 The absence of changes in IM rates in Spain showed in the current study could be reflect the policies that Spanish society had adopted into potentiate more active and independent behaviours in the population. The adoption of more friendly environment perceptions from Spanish families and a better social construction about child's gender, could help to reduce the decrease of the IM rates.…”

“…Globally, the prevalence of IM varies across countries ranging from 3% to 45% in children 10 and from 25% to 65% in adolescents. 11,18 In the current study, 20% Spanish children and 90% Spanish adolescents commuted independently during the 2010-2017 period. In TA B L E 1 Sociodemographic characteristics, time period, independent mobility to school, population density and income between children and adolescents.…”

“…Available evidence suggests a wide range of variables such as age, gender, family background, socioeconomic status and the structure of their neighbourhoods, as important individual, social and environmental factors that influence IM in children and adolescents 20 . These differences may contribute to cross‐country variations in the prevalence of IM among children and adolescents observed in this and other studies 10,11,18 . However, caution is required in making direct comparisons given the different measures used in these studies to assess IM.…”