Activity Patterns of Children and Youth in Ghent, Belgium

A Research Note

Abstract

This paper examines the mobility behavior of children and youth in the Ghent region of Belgium to identify: (i) major patterns in their activities; (ii) differences in travel distances for selected activities; and (iii) socio-demographic and spatial factors that determine their space-time behavior. The data come from a two-day consecutive travel behavior survey in 2000 of about 1,200 children and youth, aged between 6 and 25, living with their parents. The findings show that age best predicts differences in activity behavior, but gender, family income and the type of neighborhood are also important.