Accessibility-oriented territorial governance

This chapter focuses on accessibility planning through the lens of territorial governance. Beyond traditional transport-centred planning approaches based on a limited understanding of mobility, the accessibility perspective opens up new avenues to think about and intervene in our territories, while also unveiling the complexity of integrated governance mechanisms requiring multi-level and multi-sectoral coordination. To ensure equitable access for all to services and opportunities, it is necessary to address not just the physical infrastructure but also the socio-political frameworks that influence the production of this public good. The authors reflect on the key dimensions of accessibility governance, which cross administrative boundaries and traditional planning sectors, and involve public and private actors. A conceptual framework for accessibility-oriented territorial governance is proposed to help decision-makers consider how the various dimensions of governance come into play. Some European experiences illustrate how the governance of accessibility can be put into practice at different levels, combining different policy sectors.