@article{ref1,
title="Automobility -- a social problem and theoretical concept",
journal="Environment and planning D: Society and space",
year="2001",
author="Beckmann, Jörg",
volume="19",
number="5",
pages="593 – 607-593 – 607",
abstract="In this paper, I explore automobility as the dominant type of contemporary everyday mobility. I critically review recent attempts to conceptualise the social role of cars and subsequently suggest a three-dimensional model to theorise automobility further as a modern mobility paradigm. This theory of automobility assigns central importance to the subjects, the vehicles, and the spatiotemporalities that are involved in, and produced by, the car-system. For the purpose of outlining the content and internal dependencies of this three-dimensional model, I make use of theoretical assumptions gleaned from transport geography, modernisation theory, as well as the sociology of technology. Furthermore, I argue that a somewhat orthodox form of automobilisation has become reflexive in the course of a growing public recognition of the inherent threats of the car to culture and nature. Under reflexive automobilisation almost all 'auto-subjects' are engaged in defining, interpreting, and responding to 'auto-risks'. They do not necessarily do this, however, in a self-critical fashion. Instead of fostering the rise of a different, postautomotive mobility paradigm, their responses often merely lead to a reproduction of traditional 'auto-scapes'.<p />",
language="",
issn="0263-7758",
doi="10.1068/d222t",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1068/d222t"
}