Tanzeel Allapur, a sustainable mobility advocate and Project Associate at Parisar, presented her research on the mobility patterns and spatial knowledge of school children in Pune at the South Asia Cycles Conference. This prestigious event, held at the University of Chicago Delhi Centre in November 2024, provided a platform to showcase findings that hold critical implications for urban planning and child-friendly infrastructure design.
Research Summary
Title: Studying the Effect of Mobility on Wayfinding and Spatial Knowledge of School Children in Pune
Introduction:
With increasing urban congestion, understanding how modes of transport influence children's spatial awareness is pivotal. The study focuses on how cycling and bus travel impact school children’s perceptions of their surroundings and navigation abilities in Pune, contributing to the discourse on safer, child-friendly urban spaces.
Objective:
The research explores the relationship between modes of commute and spatial knowledge retention among children aged 10-14 from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. It extends cognitive mapping frameworks to evaluate how daily mobility impacts spatial cognition.
Methodology:
The study surveyed 300 students across four schools (60% boys, 40% girls). Participants drew route maps from home to school, categorized into:
- Point Maps: Unconnected landmarks.
- Chain Maps: Landmarks linked by a main road.
- Network Maps: Interconnected routes and landmarks.
- Children also highlighted unsafe areas and detailed their modes of transportation, enabling analysis of their spatial experiences.
Findings:
Key differences emerged between bus commuters and cyclists:
- Cyclists: Showed limited recall of landmarks and spatial details, attributed to the stress of navigating traffic.
- Bus Commuters: Identified more landmarks and provided richer descriptions, likely due to a less stressful commute.
The findings contrast global trends where cycling often improves spatial awareness, highlighting the unique challenges of Pune's urban environment.
Recommendations:
- Strengthen the Pune Municipal Corporation's School Travel Improvement Program to ensure safer routes for students.
- Promote the Cycle Bus initiative to reduce commuting stress and foster safer cycling habits.
Conclusion:
The research emphasizes the urgent need for urban interventions to reduce traffic stress and enhance children's spatial cognition. By addressing these challenges, cities can foster environments that promote both safety and cognitive development among young commuters.
Tanzeel Allapur’s presentation at the South Asia Cycles Conference underscored the importance of integrating child-centric approaches into sustainable urban mobility strategies. This research not only highlights pressing urban challenges but also provides actionable solutions to create liveable, child-friendly cities.