A Mobility Diet for Healthier Cities
Introducing The Mobility Diet: an innovative narrative-based approach to urban mobility that goes beyond the conventional modal split and binary choice of cars vs public transport vs bikes. This framework advocates for incremental, context-specific changes that are tailored to suit both individual and community needs.
The Mobility Diet delves into the complexities of how we move, recognising that effective solutions must reflect the unique character of each place. This website provides a comprehensive explanation of The Mobility Diet, offering depth and insight beyond the brief soundbites and snippets where it might be seen on social media and online articles.
Variety on Your Plate, Variety on Our Streets
You wouldn't limit your diet to only steak, so why restrict your transportation options to just driving a car? Embracing diversity in our transport habits is as essential for our cities' health as a balanced diet is for our bodies. Just as a well-rounded diet supports our well-being, a mixed transport system enriches our communities, reduces environmental impact, and opens up new avenues for connectivity and accessibility.
Good for You, Good for the City
The Mobility Diet pyramid, inspired by its dietary equivalent, lays its foundation with the most sustainable transportation choices: walking, cycling, and other active modes. These form the pyramid's base, paramount for their minimal environmental impact, health benefits, and affordability—paralleling the most nutritious and fundamental elements at the bottom of the food pyramid.
As we climb the pyramid, the transport methods grow less frequent and more environmentally significant, implying their use should be sparing and considered. This tiered model, echoing the principles of a balanced diet, steers us toward transport decisions that are beneficial for our wallets, our health, and our planet. It serves as a blueprint for a flourishing urban ecosystem, championing a comprehensive, sustainable strategy for our daily travel needs.
Robert Joseph Martin Ph.D.
The Mobility Diet was developed by Robert Joseph Martin as part of his Ph.D. in sustainable urban mobilities. Robert is an architect with a master's degree in urbanism and social change, where he has played a leading role in a series of projects aimed at integrating new mobility across the Nordics. Currently a partner at Beta Mobility, Robert devises mobility strategies for cities, consults with public and private mobility operators, and provides guidance to urban developers on the incorporation of mobility into new urban neighbourhoods.
Get in Touch
If you’d like to discuss the content and ideas on this site further, reach out to Robert Martin on Linkedin.
Or book Robert as a speaker for your next Mobility Event, board meeting or workshop.
Links
For embedding The Mobility Diet on your website or including it in a presentation, you can find the YouTube link here.
Acknowledgments and Rights
The Mobility Diet has been developed as part of the industrial PhD project Points of Exchange: Spatial Strategies for the Transition towards Sustainable Urban Mobilities. The PhD project was conducted in collaboration with JAJA Architects, Aalborg University's Department of Planning, and The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts' Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation.
This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 
