Cars as a status symbol: Youth attitudes toward sustainable transport in a post-socialist city.

Elona Pojani, Veronique Van Acker, Dorina Pojani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This article discusses the mobility intentions of adolescents in Tirana, Albania – one of the least studied areas of Central and Eastern Europe. The main research question - explored through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) - is whether now, nearly three decades after the demise of state socialism, cars are still considered as a necessity and/or a status symbol among adolescents This group never experienced socialism and its extreme restrictions on car ownership and use. Although Tirana is a very compact city with work, services, and social contacts typically within walking distance, the findings indicate that most adolescents in Tirana, including those who do not particularly like cars and driving, intend to purchase cars and drive in the future. Cars remain a strong status symbol. This does do not bode well for transport sustainability. If unchecked, adolescents’ intentions might directly translate into car-dependent travel behavior in the future.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)210-227
Number of pages18
JournalTransportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
Volume58
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2018

Keywords

  • Adolescents
  • Mobility intentions
  • Structural Equation Modelling (SEM)
  • Sustainable transport
  • Tirana, Albania

Cite this