An analysis of social exclusion processes from the relationships between space and daily mobility

This article analyses the existing relationship between daily mobility and social exclusion. The hegemonic mobility model based on the use of the car proves to be discriminatory since its use varies according to the social group an individual belongs to; women, young adults and immigrants are the three social groups with the lowest car ownership rates. The relatively low rate of car ownership among these social groups means that their possibilities for making use of what the city offers are limited. In this context, urban territory characteristics prove to be determining factors to extend equality of opportunity for making use of the city. Three territorial categories are established according to their social integration capacity: inclusive, semi-inclusive and exclusive. Finally, labour market exclusion, the direct result of the lack of accessibility, illustrates the inequality of opportunity experienced by these groups with lower car ownership rates and the importance of urban characteristics in the search for higher levels of social integration.