Access to the Brazilian City—From the perspectives of low-income residents in Recife

• Published in: Journal of transport geography Vol. 55; pp. 132 - 141
• Main Authors: Maia, Maria Leonor, Lucas, Karen, Marinho, Geraldo, Santos, Enilson, de Lima, Jessica Helena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Accessibility; Brazil; Low income; Transport; Urban planning; Brazil; Low income; Accessibility; Transport; Urban planning
• ISSN: 0966-6923; 1873-1236
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2016.01.001

This paper describes a study of the transport and accessibility needs of residents living in low-income communities in the City of Recife in Brazil. It discusses the theoretical background underpinning the academic and policy rationale for such a study. We outline the qualitative methodological approach, which was adopted to engage in meaningful knowledge exchanges with what are often considered by policymakers to be the ‘hard-to-reach’ citizens of Brazil's favelas. In the exploration of our study results, we describe the complex relationship between the mobilities and livelihoods of the research participants. A key question the paper seeks to examine is how far the restricted mobility and activity patterns of citizens in these low-income communities influences or interacts with their quality of life outcomes in terms of their wealth, health and wellbeing? Asecond question is whether transport planning and policy can have a role to play in enhancing their future life chances? Currently, transport planners and policymakers in Brazil know very little about the specific accessibility and mobility needs of people living in Brazilian low-income communities. Our aim is to shed some light on the issue of their mobility needs in the context of a wider set of policy discussions about how to protect the livelihoods and wellbeing of low-income populations within rapidly emerging urban economies. •The mix of land uses is fundamental to service basic daily activities needs of low income residents.•The micro-level interventions are more important than major transport schemes.•Transport infrastructure and services improvements are insufficient to reduce inequalities.