Dr Christina Ergler from Otago University's Geography Department has been doing some research into transport. However, this research is a little different to normal transport studies - they asked Dunedin pre-schoolers to describe how they see cities and transport.
Dr Christina Ergler Photo: University of Otago
Motorised transport was, unsurprisingly, the dominant mode, but the researchers were struck by how entrenched this view was, and how aware the young children were of the importance of transport systems in their ‘world’.
City 1
A common trend within children's cities. Clear road networks with both car types present and buses. Children often placed these directly onto their roads. People are not on the roadways. Photo: University of Otago
A common trend within children's cities. Clear road networks with both car types present and buses. Children often placed these directly onto their roads. People are not on the roadways.
City 2
The city illustrates a reliance on mechanised vehicles, however, there are now trains and planes as alterative transport methods. The location of housing adjacent to the transport nodes indicates the necessity of roads to connect them. Photo: University of Otago
The city illustrates a reliance on mechanised vehicles, however, there are now trains and planes as alterative transport methods. The location of housing adjacent to the transport nodes indicates the necessity of roads to connect them.
City 3
An example of a heavily auto-dominated city from the outset of the city building activity. This figure also illustrates the consideration many children had for traffic calming mechanism. e.g. stop signs and traffic lights. Photo: University of Otago
An example of a heavily auto-dominated city from the outset of the city building activity. This figure also illustrates the consideration many children had for traffic calming mechanism. e.g. stop signs and traffic lights.
