1. Controversies

Researchers with an interest in mobility aren’t always unanimous in their views—far from it. Controversies is designed to bring those with opposing views face to face, and give the rest of us an opportunity to rethink our own assumptions about critical issues in the field of mobility.

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The “15-minute city”: the way forward or an ideological mirage?

11 April 2022

Everyone having everything within fifteen minutes of their home: this is the promise of the fifteen-minute city. The idea of a city that is peaceful because of the proximity it allows and ecological because of the reduction in travel that it entails has gained ground, and it is now part of media debates and political programmes. But are its promises really feasible? Is it fair? Is it even desirable? Carlos Moreno, the father of the fifteen-minute city, and Pierre Veltz, who questions its virtues, respond to these questions.

Controversie with

Carlos MORENO, Pierre VELTZ
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The future of cars: triumph or decline?

13 January 2017

Over the last decade, the future of cars has been at the heart of controversy that has been the subject of numerous prospective studies. This controversy is not about the need for an energy transition – whose advent is no longer a subject of debate - but more about the role of cars in the future. Should the use of cars be called into question? What policies should be implemented? What should the role of cars be?

Controversie with

Francis PAPON, Mathieu FLONNEAU
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Living environments and leisure mobility: challenging the compact city

28 November 2016

Should we advocate for the compact city? Geographer Sébastien Munafò defends the indispensability of this model, particularly for its environmental qualities and the urbanity it fosters. Marc Pearce of the Mobile Lives Forum, on the other hand, feels it is crucial to consider, instead, many lifestyles in presence in city areas such as Geneva or Zurich and the diversity of living environments they require.

Controversie with

Sébastien MUNAFò, Marc PEARCE (FORUM VIES MOBILES)
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Multi-Level Perspective and Theories of Practice: a mistaken controversy?

25 November 2015

In the thriving field of sustainability transitions, an interesting discussion has flourished about the merits of and relationship between two analytical approaches, known as multi-level models of innovation and theories of social practice.

Controversie with

Dale SOUTHERTON, Matt WATSON
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What metropolitan transport for Los Angeles?

07 April 2014

What transportation policy to develop in a sprawling, segregated city like Los Angeles? What place to give the car? Is it better to favor the subway network or the bus network? And why – economic reasons (competitiveness, employment, etc.), environmental reasons (reducing pollution and fossil resources consumption) and/or social reasons (the fight against social and racial inequality)?

Controversie with

Lucile WAQUET, Jean LEVEUGLE
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Is transport infrastructure responsible for economic development?

27 February 2014

Put in this way, the answer seems fairly obvious. And yet, it is an important debate that continues – even today. Indeed, in local political milieus it is still common to hear talk of the need to build highways to improve access to regions, thus allowing for their development. From where does this stance originate?

Controversie with

Rémy PRUD’HOMME, Jean-Marc OFFNER, Emmanuel RAVALET
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Compactness as a response to environmental issues?

10 October 2013

“There remains a source of divergence among contributors: the preferred urban model for resolving the problems of congestion and pollution linked to the rise of urban mobilities. The opposition, which one might have thought we had left behind, between supporters of more compact towns and cities … and those who believe in a more diffuse urban environment, continues to flare up.”

Controversie with

Jacques LéVY, Philippe ESTèBE
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“Mobility as capital” Sketching the arguments

11 December 2012

In the debate about economic and social integration, the possibilities and conditions related to geographical movement are becoming increasingly important. They are widely discussed, and people at home, at work, on holidays, etc must deal with their implementation. We hear it discussed on television, in political, economic and scientific debates, in museums, at school, and so on. In short, moving about now seems to be an important challenge in many aspects of our daily lives.

Controversie with

Vincent KAUFMANN, Hanja MAKSIM, Simon BORJA, Guillaume COURTY, Thierry RAMADIER

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