Smart Mobility Hubs for Inclusive Urban Resilience and Planning

Thesis Abstract

Urban regions face growing climate risks, traffic congestion, and social inequities that are amplified by fragmented transportation systems and limited access to mobility options. This study investigates how Smart Mobility Hubs (SMHs) can enhance inclusive urban resilience and planning by integrating multimodal transport services, real-time information, and community-oriented design. The aim is to evaluate how SMHs influence accessibility, social equity, and resilience outcomes in dense urban environments, and to develop a scalable framework for planning and evaluation. The research objectives are to (1) identify critical features of SMHs that promote inclusive access to essential services, (2) assess the impact of SMHs on travel behavior, modal shift, and reliability for underserved populations, (3) examine governance, financing, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms that support resilient SMH deployment, (4) develop a performance measurement framework linking mobility, social equity, and resilience indicators, and (5) propose a strategic planning tool for city authorities to implement SMHs across diverse urban contexts. The study adopts a mixed-methods design grounded in resilience theory and the technology acceptance model, complemented by the capability approach to assess equity outcomes. The population comprises residents, business owners, and transport operators within two mid-size megacities in a tropical climate with high informal transit activity. A sample of 1,200 residents will be selected using stratified random sampling to capture variations in income, age, and neighborhood deprivation, while 60 transport operators and 20 city planners will participate in purposive sampling. Data collection employs structured surveys (n=1,200), semi-structured interviews (n=60 operators, n=20 planners), focus group discussions (eight groups with 6–8 participants each), and field observations at four pilot SMH sites over a 12-month period. Instrument validity is established through expert review and pilot testing; reliability is assessed via Cronbach’s alpha (>0. seven for multi-item scales). Data analysis integrates descriptive statistics, multivariate regression to identify determinant factors of perceived accessibility and satisfaction, difference-in-differences (DiD) analysis to gauge changes in travel behavior pre- and post-SMH exposure, and hierarchical linear modeling to capture neighborhood-level effects. The qualitative component utilizes thematic analysis guided by NVivo 12, with coding grounded in the conceptual framework informed by the Sustainable Mobility and Equity theories, and the Technology Acceptance Model, to explore perceived usefulness, ease of use, and social acceptability. A system-dynamics model is employed to simulate resilience outcomes under scenarios of demand surges, extreme weather events, and policy interventions, while a structural equation model links SMH features to accessibility, reliability, and equity indicators. Expected findings indicate that SMHs, when co-located with essential services and inclusive digital interfaces, increase access to education, healthcare, and employment by reducing wait times and coordinating multimodal options, particularly for low-income and elderly residents. Regression results are anticipated to show a statistically significant positive association between SMH usage and perceived accessibility (? > 0.30, p < 0.01) and between SMH density and reduced travel times during peak hours (DiD estimate, -12 to -18 minutes). Thematic analysis is expected to reveal barriers related to digital literacy, pricing fairness, and governance fragmentation, mitigated by participatory planning and transparent pricing. The study contributes to knowledge by integrating resilience, equity, and ICT-driven mobility into a unified planning framework, offering a quantified performance measurement framework and a decision-support tool for evaluating SMH deployment across varied urban contexts. The implications extend to policy, planning practice, and ICT investment, highlighting governance models that ensure inclusive benefit sharing, adaptive maintenance, and scalable replication. The main conclusion posits that SMHs are a viable pathway to simultaneous mobility transformation and social resilience when designed with explicit equity objectives, interoperable ICT platforms, community co-creation processes, and robust financing mechanisms. Recommendations include (1) embedding SMHs within regional transport strategies with explicit equity metrics; (2) developing tiered pricing and universal design standards to ensure accessibility; (3) establishing inclusive governance arrangements with multi-stakeholder participation and transparent procurement; and (4) creating an open data ecosystem to support continuous monitoring, evaluation, and scalable replication in other city regions.