Demotorization and Space: The Influence of Spatial Factors on Car-Dependency Reduction in France

Although car ownership continues to rise worldwide, temporary or more lasting phases of demotorization (reduction in the number vehicles owned) are taking place at household level. Existing studies show that probability increases certain stages life cycle, for example, associated with a reduction size income, move neighborhood better transit provision. However, rationale and temporalities decision-making processes involved remain obscure. This knowledge could be useful informing public action on measures needed different categories territories populations encourage steady sustainable fall ownership. As its contribution these questions, this article focuses influence spatial factors demotorization. The methodology draws 51 interviews conducted 2018 demotorized households four French urban areas (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Dijon). findings highlight role characteristics current residence, changes residence work, dimensions travel socialization. If, as things stand, permanent voluntary relinquishment is only possible very dense areas, our results firstly there strong case working mobility representations practices from early age and, secondly, importance implementing planning policies alternatives private credible lower population density.