ABSTRACT
Achieving sustainability requires changing the way people think about and solve transportation problems, and transport planning essentially requires a paradigm shift. From the perspectives of the sustainability challenge we may assume that the planning practices need to be revamped: but which practices and whose practices are to be changed? Relying upon studies on regional transport planning, including focus groups, interviews, and workshops in Sweden, this chapter ties the concepts of gender equality to contemporary planning and sustainable ‘smart’ mobility. The aim is to analyse and discuss ways in which knowledge about gender equality is reflected and elaborated in long-term planning practice on a regional level. From the planning practices discussed in focus groups, it seemed that both gender equality and diversity were perceived as difficult thematic areas in regional transport planning, and that more knowledge and experience as well as directives and steering were needed. It was pointed out that there exists some knowledge but there were weak structures for how this knowledge could be incorporated into the planning processes. Conflicting practices are also noticeable. Finally, while new thoughts about social sustainability are being attached to planning practices, popular beliefs still tilt towards assuming that transport planning is and can be gender neutral.
