Shared-Use Mobility Center and Living Cities and Communities Launch first of its kind Design Framework for Women- and Caregiver-centered Mobility Hubs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2025           

CHICAGO (USA) / SUNDRE (SWEDEN) – In an effort to enhance transportation equity, the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and Living Cities and Communities (LCC) are proud to announce the launch of a new Design Framework for Mobility Hubs that will help community leaders, planners, designers, and teachers ask the right questions to design for the needs of women and caregivers.

Mobility hubs serve as essential nodes in modern transportation systems, facilitating seamless transitions between various modes of transport. Yet, most existing hubs cater primarily to the needs of the “traditional commuter” – historically often a man traveling to work on a fixed schedule during peak hours.

Grounded in research and real conversations with women and caregivers, SUMC and LCC created a new tool to recognize and address the unique travel patterns and needs of women and caregivers.

Women and caregivers explained that they are particularly concerned about personal safety and security. They also worry about accessibility, especially for people who use walking aids or are aging, and about getting the right information and guidance on travel options and mobility hub services. They frequently make shorter, more varied trips at off-peak times and mobility hubs often don’t serve their needs adequately.

The Design Framework, in the shape of a slide deck, brings to life seven personas, shaped by project conversations with women and caregivers and their everyday journeys. The personas offer advice through seven design principles, offering guide questions to the user. The deck is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), available for the user to use and adapt.

Download the Design Framework Slide deck

Download Project Report

– At its core, this project is about understanding and addressing real needs. We aim to make transportation systems more inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the people who rely on them every day, said Karin Henriksson, Communications Manager at Living Cities and Communities.
– Whether you’re a community leader, a designer, or an educator, we invite you to use this tool to drive change. Together, we can create transportation systems that truly work for everyone, said Benjamin de la Peña, CEO at Shared-Use Mobility Center. 

The launch of this Design Framework marks a step towards transforming transportation systems to be more reflective of diverse community needs. For more information about the framework and how to implement its principles, please visit SUMC’s website.

To join the conversation and learn more about this project, the Design Framework, register here for our webinar on March 6th. More details to follow. 

Vinnova, the Swedish Innovation Agency, and the Equitable Transportation Fund (a project of the Global Philanthropy Partnership) provided the funds for this project.

Contact:

Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC), USA
Hannah Wilson, Senior Director of Partnerships and Engagement
[email protected]
312-448-8083, Ext. 422

Living Cities and Communities (LCC) Sweden
Karin.Henriksson, Communications Manager
[email protected]
+46 725 022 345

 

ABOUT THE SHARED-USE MOBILITY CENTER (SUMC)

SUMC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, public interest organization and international thought leader working to equip and connect change leaders advancing people-centered shared mobility systems to fight climate change, promote equity, and strengthen community. Learn more at www.sharedusemobilitycenter.org.

 

ABOUT LIVING CITIES AND COMMUNITIES (LCC)

Living Cities and Communities is a Swedish knowledge-driven company that offers expertise and partnership in innovative and inclusive processes, often linking research and knowledge production with practice, co-learning, design and communication. 

www.livingcc.se