Assessing Sustainable Transportation Adoption in Community-Owned Cooperative Housing Developments

Thesis Abstract

The increasing urgency of sustainable urban development has amplified the necessity to understand the factors influencing the adoption of sustainable transportation modes within community-owned cooperative housing developments. Despite the growing recognition of cooperative housing as a model of affordable and socially cohesive living, limited empirical evidence exists regarding its potential to foster environmentally sustainable transportation behaviors. This study aims to critically assess the determinants, challenges, and opportunities associated with sustainable transportation adoption in cooperative housing communities, with a focus on integrating ecological, social, and behavioral dimensions. The primary objectives are to identify key socio-demographic, infrastructural, and attitudinal factors influencing transportation choices; examine the role of community governance and social capital in promoting sustainability; evaluate the accessibility and adequacy of sustainable transportation options available within these developments; and formulate a comprehensive framework for enhancing sustainable mobility in cooperative housing settings. Adopting a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches to generate a holistic understanding of the phenomena. The quantitative component involves a cross-sectional survey administered to residents of 15 cooperative housing developments across the metropolitan region, with a total sample size of 450 residents selected through stratified random sampling to ensure representativeness across age, income, and tenure status. The questionnaire instrument is structured to capture variables aligned with the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991) and the Social Capital Theory (Putnam, 2000), focusing on residents' transportation attitudes, perceived behavioral control, community engagement, and social network strength. The qualitative component comprises semi-structured interviews with 30 key informants, including community leaders, developers, and transportation service providers, to elucidate contextual factors and policy implications. Data analysis employs descriptive statistics to profile respondent characteristics, followed by multiple regression analysis to test hypotheses derived from the theoretical frameworks regarding determinants of sustainable transportation adoption. Thematic analysis is applied to interview transcripts, allowing for the identification of recurrent themes, barriers, and facilitators influencing behavioral change. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) facilitates the evaluation of the hypothesized relationships among variables, providing insights into the direct and indirect effects of social, infrastructural, and attitudinal factors. Expected findings suggest that residents' transportation choices are significantly influenced by social norms, perceived behavioral control, and infrastructural support, with social capital acting as a mediating variable enhancing community-driven sustainability initiatives. The study anticipates identifying infrastructural deficits, such as limited access to public transit and cycling facilities, as key barriers, alongside attitudinal resistance rooted in habitual preferences and limited awareness. Conversely, strong community engagement and governance are expected to serve as catalysts for behavioral change and sustainable mobility practices. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by contextualizing behavioral theories within the framework of cooperative housing, thereby providing novel insights into the social dynamics that shape sustainable transportation behaviors. It offers a pragmatic, community-specific model for policymakers, urban planners, and housing developers to foster sustainable transportation through integrated community engagement, infrastructural investments, and policy incentives. Concluding, the study emphasizes that enhancing sustainable transportation adoption in cooperative housing requires a multifaceted approach addressing infrastructural gaps, fostering social capital, and promoting positive behavioral norms. Recommendations include implementing participatory planning processes, expanding accessible transport infrastructure, and developing targeted educational campaigns. The findings serve as a foundational reference for advancing sustainable mobility initiatives within cooperative housing models, contributing to broader urban sustainability strategies and policy development. Further research is suggested to explore longitudinal impacts and the scalability of recommended interventions across diverse urban contexts.