Mobility, Sociability and Well-being of Urban Living

"This book investigates critical urban issues related to socio-spatial segregation, housing, daily travel, mobility of the elderly, etc. from the perspective of wellbeing. This is a collection of the latest research works by frontline researchers working in the fields of geography, urban studies, transport, and sociology. Drawing on theoretical and empirical explorations, collected chapters in this book connect mobility and wellbeing, bridge geography and health, and analyze the implications of mobility disadvantages on urban marginal groups' wellbeing. Research findings presented in the book are also highly relevant for practitioners and policy makers in the pursuit of improving urban livability since wellbeing, or quality of life, is increasingly considered as an important criteria alternative to income growth to evaluate economic, social and urban development"- - Springer Contents 5 Introduction 7 Part IMobility and Immobility 15 1 Between Mobility and Immobility: Undocumented African Migrants Living in the Shadow of the Chinese State 16 Abstract 16 1.1 Introduction 17 1.2 ``Illegal'' Residence as a Transnational Mobility Strategy 19 1.3 Reasons for Migration 21 1.4 The Social and Legal Construction of African ``Illegality'' in Guangzhou 23 1.5 ``Illegality'' as Lived Experiences 25 1.6 Alternative Motility Options 27 1.7 Conclusion 30 Acknowledgments 32 References 32 2 Disciplined Mobility and Migrant Subalternity: Sketching the Politics of Motorcycle Taxis in Guangzhou 35 Abstract 35 2.1 Introduction 36 2.1.1 Towards a Politics of Mobility 36 2.1.2 Introducing This Study 39 2.2 Methods 40 2.3 Setting the Scene: The Regulation of Motorcycle Taxis in Guangzhou 41 2.4 Representing and Regulating Motorcycle Mobility 45 2.4.1 The Motorcycle as Discursive Construction 45 2.4.2 Encountering the State on the Street 50 2.5 Motorcycle Mobility as Experience of Subaltern Identity 54 2.6 Conclusion 57 References 58 3 Reappropriation Through Occupation: Interrogating on-Street Parking in Chinese Cities 61 Abstract 61 3.1 Introduction 61 3.2 Automobility and the Parking Problem 64 3.3 On-Street Parking in Chinese Cities 65 3.4 Occupancy Urbanism of the Middle Class 68 3.5 Discussion: Beyond the Planners' Nightmare 70 3.6 Conclusion 73 Acknowledgements 73 References 73 Part IIUrban living and Socio-spatialExperiences 76 4 China's New Generation Migrant Workers' Urban Experience and Well-Being 77 Abstract 77 4.1 Introduction 78 4.2 Research Framework and Data Source 79 4.3 New Generation Migrants in the Pearl River Delta: Urban Experience Shaped by Habitus and Field 82 4.3.1 New Generation Migrants' Urban Lives and Well-Being 82 4.3.2 Habitus in a Highly Unequal and Contested Urban Field 87 4.3.2.1 A Highly Unequal and Contested Urban Field 87 4.3.2.2 New Generation Migrants' Habitus 90 Self-stigmatization 90 Changing Imagination and Representation of City and Home 90 Urban Aspiration and Future Plans 92 4.4 Framing New Generation Migrants' Urban Experience by the State, Market, and Society 94 4.4.1 Institutional Barriers Produced by the State 94 4.4.2 Market Constraints and Opportunities 96 4.4.3 Social Processes and Relations 96 4.5 Conclusions 99 References 100 5 Urban Villages and the Contestation of Urban Space: The Case of Shenzhen 102 Abstract 102 5.1 Introduction 103 5.2 The Production of Urban Villages 104 5.3 Construction Mania 107 5.4 Evolving Space Use 109 5.5 Redeveloping Urban Villages 111 5.6 Discussion 115 References 118 6 Mobility and Quality of Life of the Elderly in Urban China: The Role of Household Structure 120 Abstract 120 6.1 Introduction 121 6.2 The Analytical Framework for the Relationship Between Quality of Life and Mobility 123 6.3 Research Design 124 6.4 Qualitative Analysis of the Relationship Between Quality of Life and Mobility in Extended Families 126 6.4.1 Physical and Functional Well-Being 126 6.4.2 Social Well-Being 127 6.4.3 Psychological Well-Being 128 6.4.3.1 Educational Level and Occupation 129 6.4.3.2 Post-Retirement Plan 130 6.4.3.3 Built Environment 130 6.4.3.4 Living with Son or Daughter 131 6.5 Discussion and Conclusion 132 Acknowledgements 133 References 133 Part IIITravel and Life Satisfaction 136 7 Travel Mode Use, Travel Mode Shift and Subjective Well-Being: Overview of Theories, Empirical Findings and Policy Implications 137 Abstract 137 7.1 Introduction 138 7.2 Subjective Well-Being and Satisfaction with Travel 139 7.3 Travel Satisfaction by Mode 143 7.3.1 Private Car 143 7.3.2 Public Transport 144 7.3.3 Cycling and Walking 146 7.4 Travel Mode Change and Travel Satisfaction 148 7.5 Societal Implications of Travel Mode Change 151 7.6 Conclusion, Discussion, and Future Research Directions 152 References 154 8 The Association Between Travel and Satisfaction with Travel and Life: Evidence from the Twin Cities 159 Abstract 159 8.1 Introduction 159 8.2 Literature Review 161 8.3 Methodology 162 8.3.1 Conceptual Model and Modeling Approach 162 8.3.2 Data and Variables 163 8.4 Results 168 8.5 Conclusions 171 Acknowledgements 172 Appendix 173 References 174 9 The Challenges of Land Use and Transport Planning on Urban Residents' Quality of Life: A Panel Data Analysis 176 Abstract 176 9.1 Introduction 177 9.2 Literature Review 178 9.3 Data and Conceptual Framework 180 9.4 Results and Discussion 183 9.4.1 Changes in Socio-Demographics and QOL 186 9.4.2 Residential Choices and QOL 187 9.4.3 Travel Behavior and QOL 188 9.4.4 Other Life Choices and QOL 189 9.5 Conclusion 190 Acknowledgement 191 References 191 Part IVNeighborhood and Subjective Wellbeing 193 10 Place, Geographical Context and Subjective Well-being: State of Art and Future Directions 194 Abstract 194 10.1 Concepts and Theories of Subjective Well-Being 196 10.1.1 Rising of Studies on Subjective Well-Being 197 10.1.2 Components and Dimensions of Subjective Well-Being 198 10.1.3 Measures of Subjective Well-Being 199 10.1.4 Theoretical Perspectives on Subjective Well-Being 200 10.2 Spatial Differences in Subjective Well-Being 204 10.2.1 International Differences in Subjective Well-Being 205 10.2.2 Subnation Level Differences in Subjective Well-Being 206 10.2.3 Intra-urban Differences in Subjective Well-Being 207 10.2.4 Summary and Discussion 207 10.3 Geographical Determinants of Subjective Well-Being 208 10.3.1 National and Regional-Level Determinants of Subjective Well-Being 208 10.3.2 City-Level Determinants of Subjective Well-Being 210 10.3.3 Neighborhood-Level Determinants of Subjective Well-Being 212 10.3.4 Summary and Comments 214 10.4 Concluding Remarks 214 Acknowledgements 216 Appendix: Existing Literature on Geographical Determinants of SWB 216 References 224 11 Neighbourhood Determinants for Life Satisfaction of Older People in Beijing 236 Abstract 236 11.1 Introduction 237 11.2 Determinants of the Life Satisfaction of Urban Community-Living Seniors 239 11.3 Study Area and Data 243 11.4 Methods 243 11.5 The Path Structure of Life Satisfaction Amongst the Elderly 244 11.6 Conclusions 250 Acknowledgment 251 References 251 12 Emotional Well-being of Social Housing Residents in Guangzhou, China: How Does Neighborhood Context Matter? 254 Abstract 254 12.1 Introduction 255 12.2 Literature Review 256 12.3 Data and Methodology 258 12.3.1 Data and Measures 258 12.3.2 Methods 262 12.4 Results 263 12.5 Conclusion and Discussion 266 References 268 13 The Moderating Effect of Community Interaction on Individual Well-Being During Hot Days 270 Abstract 270 13.1 Introduction 271 13.2 Social Vulnerability, Community Interaction, and Individual Well-being 272 13.3 Research Design 274 13.4 Description of the Sample and Community Factors 276 13.5 Determinants of Individual Well-Being and Moderation of Community Factors 280 13.6 Conclusion and Discussion 284 References 285 Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Front Matter....Pages 1-1 Between Mobility and Immobility: Undocumented African Migrants Living in the Shadow of the Chinese State....Pages 3-21 Disciplined Mobility and Migrant Subalternity: Sketching the Politics of Motorcycle Taxis in Guangzhou....Pages 23-48 Reappropriation Through Occupation: Interrogating On-Street Parking in Chinese Cities....Pages 49-63 Front Matter....Pages 65-65 China’s New Generation Migrant Workers’ Urban Experience and Well-Being....Pages 67-91 Urban Villages and the Contestation of Urban Space: The Case of Shenzhen....Pages 93-110 Mobility and Quality of Life of the Elderly in Urban China: The Role of Household Structure....Pages 111-126 Front Matter....Pages 127-127 Travel Mode Use, Travel Mode Shift and Subjective Well-Being: Overview of Theories, Empirical Findings and Policy Implications....Pages 129-150 The Association Between Travel and Satisfaction with Travel and Life: Evidence from the Twin Cities....Pages 151-167 The Challenges of Land Use and Transport Planning on Urban Residents’ Quality of Life: A Panel Data Analysis....Pages 169-185 Front Matter....Pages 187-187 Place, Geographical Context and Subjective Well-being: State of Art and Future Directions....Pages 189-230 Neighbourhood Determinants for Life Satisfaction of Older People in Beijing....Pages 231-248 Emotional Well-being of Social Housing Residents in Guangzhou, China: How Does Neighborhood Context Matter?....Pages 249-264 The Moderating Effect of Community Interaction on Individual Well-Being During Hot Days....Pages 265-282 Annotation This book investigates critical urban issues related to socio-spatial segregation, housing, daily travel, mobility of the elderly, etc. from the perspective of wellbeing. This is a collection of the latest research works by frontline researchers working in the fields of geography, urban studies, transport, and sociology. Drawing on theoretical and empirical explorations, collected chapters in this book connect mobility and wellbeing, bridge geography and health, and analyze the implications of mobility disadvantages on urban marginal groups' wellbeing. Research findings presented in the book are also highly relevant for practitioners and policy makers in the pursuit of improving urban livability since wellbeing, or quality of life, is increasingly considered as an important criteria alternative to income growth to evaluate economic, social and urban development This book investigates critical urban issues related to socio-spatial segregation, housing, daily travel, mobility of the elderly, etc. from the perspective of wellbeing. ℗lThis is a collection of the latest research works by frontline researchers working in the fields of geography, urban studies, transport, and sociology. Drawing on theoretical and empirical explorations, collected chapters in this book connect mobility and wellbeing, bridge geography and health, and analyze the implications of mobility disadvantages on urban marginal groupsĺl wellbeing. Research findings presented in the book are also highly relevant for practitioners and policy makers in the pursuit of improving urban livability℗lsince wellbeing, or quality of life, is increasingly considered as an important criteria alternative to income growth to evaluate economic, social and urban development.℗l℗l