The parenthood effect in urban mobility

The modelling of human mobility is vital for the understanding of the complexity of urban dynamics and guiding effective interventions to improve quality of life. Traditional modelling approaches focus on `average citizens,' which overlook the multitude of experiences from distinct sociodemographic groups. Recent studies have unveiled significant variations in mobility patterns related to gender and socioeconomic status, yet the impact of parenthood remains under-explored. Parenthood brings profound changes to daily routines, influenced by factors such as increased caregiving responsibilities, altered work-life balance, and the need for family-friendly environments. Parents often prioritise considerations such as cost of living, social wellbeing, environmental quality, and safety. Quantifying how `friendly' a city is becomes more and more important for parents, especially in the context of rising remote work opportunities which, in turn, reverberate on the choices on where to settle. This work investigates whether these considerations lead to distinct mobility patterns between parents and non-parents, also accounting for the impact of partnership. Using extensive census data across American cities, we analyse how parenthood and partnership reshape their urban experiences. Our findings indicate that cities can indeed be classified by their level of friendliness towards parents and partners. For example, Dallas and Nashville can be more suited for single individuals, New York and Chicago can be more accommodating to parents, while Washington and Baltimore favour married people. These insights contribute to the growing body of research advocating for more nuanced and equitable urban planning. By recognising the diverse needs of different demographic groups, particularly parents, our study underscores the importance of tailored urban design strategies over universal solutions.