Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ENTOURAGE (European tourist cities in transformation: constructing age-friendly tourism mobilities)
Période du rapport: 2021-09-01 au 2023-08-31
The project has worked to answer three specific objectives to contribute to the knowledge base about the future of urban tourism spaces and the inclusion of age-friendly mobilities in it. First, it has examined the discourse around age-diversity in tourism literature and in city strategies around urban transformations and sustainable mobility (SO.1). Second, it has analysed the production of urban space through the perspective of mobile and less mobile urban communities and the potentially marginalising role of (tourist) mobilities for some groups and individuals (SO.2). Third, it has investigated how visitors and residents of older age travel through and negotiate tourism spaces and active travel modes (SO.3).
The impacts of the work performed under the ENTOURAGE project can be divided into three categories.
First, the project has contributed to knowledge production by making scientific publications, publications in other academic or professional outlets, conference papers, and other scientific dissemination activities (invited seminars, etc.). In addition, the fellow has participated in 49 activities focusing on knowledge and skill transfer throughout the course of the project. The majority of these activities are based on the extensive data collections the ENTOURAGE project has undertaken in Barcelona and Venice. The data analyses can be grouped into the following topics: analysis of older residents' participation in active mobilities; analysis of older residents' active mobilities in tourist areas in Barcelona; An analysis of visitors’ cycling preferences in Barcelona and levels of cycling and other micro-mobility options by visitors; analysis of walking mobility hindrances for older residents in Venice; analysis of the impacts of touristification of urban heritage landscapes in everyday mobility of older residents in Venice; and an analysis of urban ageing discourses in policy documents and interviews.
Second, the project has generated a range of audiences by organising both academic, policy-oriented, and public activities. For instance, the fellow has organised a roundtable meeting, a research seminar and an exchange meeting, and is preparing a policy-oriented workshop in which an urban toolkit will be presented with the main policy and practical recommendations of the ENTOURAGE project. Furthermore, the project has generated a collaboration agreement with local stakeholders in Barcelona. This allowed for a joint development of the case study diagnosis and methodological approach, building on local knowledge and experience, and resulting in the co-creation of the case study, logistical support, and facilitating local dissemination of the study. Since 2021, the project has also had considerable exposure and outreach via personal and institutional social media accounts, multiple project websites, and a podcast.
Third, the project has led to a large number of intersectoral collaborations. During the project implementation, the fellow has advised on and participated in various research projects of the GRATET research group about topics such as active mobility and impacts of urban tourist mobilities. This has increased the scope of the ENTOURAGE project and the academic, civic and policy communities reached. He has taken on further academic responsibilities in international scientific associations (ATLAS, RGS, EUGEO), such as organising conferences and convening session. Furthermore, the project has strengthened the fellow's international collaborations with secondment partners in the United Kingdom (University of Manchester) and Italy (SerenDPT), and several other academic institutions where he exchanged knowledge about the project's premises and results.
Potential project impacts are of local nature, setting the agenda on population ageing and impacts of urban mobility transitions in cities, while the project results are also set to influence European research and policy communities, make collaborative transferability between countries, institutions and policy stakeholders, and connect multiple disciplinary experts in countries such as the Netherlands, the UK, Spain, and Italy. Aside from the project’s outputs and dissemination activities, the fellow has been active in academic networks such as the Royal Geographical Society, ATLAS, and the British Society of Gerontology. At the same time, the project's focus on local stakeholders, civil society and co-creative activities with research participants has resulted in the visibilisation of the older age population as active mobility users. This overarching impact is set to continue after the project following an open research seminar and a roundtable and policy workshop in the city of Barcelona.