The Future of Community Mobility Hubs in M4H

Abstract

his research explores user feedback on proposed mobility solutions in the Merwe-Vierhavens (M4H) area of Rotterdam to inform the development of Community Mobility Hubs (CMHs). Conducted in two phases, the study began with socio-demographic analysis, followed by Virtual Reality (VR) simulations. The initial phase involved desk research to understand the demographic composition and travel patterns in neighborhoods around M4H. Findings revealed a diverse community with a young population (27-39 years old), including European, Turkish, Moroccan migrants, and Dutch non-migrants, primarily in low-income single or family-with children households. Mobility patterns showed varied travel purposes, such as
shopping, commuting, and recreational activities, with walking, cycling, passenger cars, and public transport being the most common modes of transportation. The second phase used VR to provide an immersive experience of the proposed CMH, engaging participants and gathering detailed feedback. Key findings indicated a strong preference for amenities like cafes, co-working spaces, postal services, and refurbishing centers, especially among first- and second-generation migrants. Significant concerns about affordability, reliability, and availability of mobility solutions were also highlighted. Despite limitations such as potential biases in self-reported data and the fixed nature of the VR simulation, the study’s innovative use of VR provided valuable insights. Recommendations for the CMH include creating solutions for diverse demographics, focusing on families, people of migrant backgrounds, and low-income groups, ensuring accessible, affordable, acceptable, and available transport options. The CMH should incorporate practical features to accommodate various activities, address concerns about affordability, availability, and reliability through ongoing community
dialogue, and emphasize convenience, good maintenance, and diverse pricing schemes. Affordable transportation solutions should be offered, targeting user groups most likely to adopt the solutions, such as females and people of migrant backgrounds. Comprehensive services and family-friendly amenities should be included, and community ownership and management encouraged. Both digital and non-digital access points should be provided, and continuous community engagement maintained. Future research should expand the sample size for better representation and include longitudinal studies to track evolving mobility preferences. Enhancing VR simulation quality and addressing potential biases from tech-savvy participants will provide more balanced insights. This research underscores the importance of understanding diverse mobility needs and innovative citizen participation utilizing VR to create inclusive and effective urban mobility solutions for the M4H community.