The determinants of mode choice for family visits - evidence from Dutch panel data

AbstractWe use panel data to estimate multinomial logistic regressions for the effect of household composition, car ownership, distance between family members, and degree of urbanization on mode choice for family visits in the Netherlands. Based on Mundlak’s formulation our model accounts for unobserved heterogeneity and differentiates within-individual from between-individual variation. With respect to household composition, we find that living with a partner and having a child under six years old is negatively associated with the likelihood of using public transport for family visits. Number of children is not associated linearly with mode choice. Walking and cycling is mainly associated with distance between family members: the shorter the distance the higher the likelihood of using slow-modes instead of a car. Those travelling between areas of high degree of urbanization have a higher likelihood of using public transport relative to using cars. Car ownership is negatively associated with all other modes. Using a car for commuting is also found to be negatively associated with other modes for family visits

Evolutionary Theorising on Technological Change and Sustainable Development

This paper examines the significance of evolutionary theorising on technological change for (technology) policies aiming to move society into a more ecologically sustainable direction. It is argued that fundamental changes in production processes and consumption patterns underpinned by alternative technological trajectories are required for achieving environmental sustainability. Such changes, which go beyond the control of particular pollutants and eco-efficiency improvements, are referred to as technological regime shifts. Technological regime shift changes do not refer so much to the diffusion of environmental technologies but rather to system changes producing environmental benefits because the new regimes or trajectories are inherently more environmentally benign. An example of such a shift is found in the use of gas turbine for (co)generating electricity and heat. An important question is: how do technological regime shifts occur, and how can environmentally beneficial regime shifts be stimulated? Evolutionary theory, which emphasises the non-linear, branched nature of sociotechnical change, offers a useful framework for understanding and managing regime shifts. It draws attention to the lock-in phenomenon and also suggests a way in which it can be escaped: through the development of niches for new technologies. It appears that evolutionary perspectives have something to offer here, but they need to be further developed to be of practical use

De relatie tussen etniciteit en tevredenheid met de woonomgeving - Een onderzoek onder autochtonen, Surinamers, Turken en Marokkanen in Nederland

Using data from the Netherlands Housing Survey 2006 (WoON) and neighborhood data from Statistics Netherlands, we investigate the relationship between individual ethnicity and ethnic neighborhood composition on the one hand, and satisfaction with the residential environment on the other, among the four largest ethnic categories in the Netherlands. We set three theoretical approaches next to each other and derive hypotheses from each. The class approach states that ethnic differences in residential satisfaction are caused by differences in socio-economic status. The race approach states that these differences are caused by discrimination. The culture approach states that there are cultural differences in residential preferences, leading to differences between ethnic groups in the way in which ethnic neighborhood composition affects residential satisfaction. We find that those of Dutch origin are the most satisfied with the neighborhood, and Turks and Moroccans the least. These differences in satisfaction largely disappear after controlling for socio-economic status. This result is in line with the class approach, and in contrast with the race approach. In line with the culture approach, the ethnic composition of the neighborhood plays a role in residential satisfaction. Native Dutch in particular seem to prefer living in residential environments with few non-western immigrants