Residence locations and mobility tool ownership during the life course: Results from a retrospective survey in Switzerland

Abstract

Long-term mobility of people involves on the one hand decisions about their residential locations and the corresponding moves. At the same time the places of education and employment play an important role. On the other hand the ownership of mobility tools, such as cars and different public transport season tickets are complementary elements in this process, which also bind substantial resources. These two aspects of mobility behaviour are closely connected to one another. A longitudinal perspective on these relationships is available from people’s life courses, which link different dimensions of life together. Besides the personal and familial history locations of residence, education and employment as well as the ownership of mobility tools can be taken into account. These life course dimensions are usually not independent from one another. Events in one area are frequently connected to changes in other areas. At the same time this longitudinal approach provides the possibility to observe developments over time.