Installing Automobility

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Automobiles are increasingly prevalent in the megacities of the Global South, with streets often congested by private vehicles. Despite this trend, existing scholarship has not fully explored the implications of prioritizing private motorized transport and the decisions that shape this priority. This book addresses this gap by examining the rise of automobility in Bengaluru, a rapidly growing metropolis in southern India with a population of around 10 million. It highlights the historical, spatial, technological, and social factors influencing urban actors and their roles in this phenomenon. Gopakumar argues that the interplay of these elements gives automobility a powerful, transformative quality that risks reshaping the city to favor automotive travel. However, he also emphasizes that Bengaluru's automobility is not a fixed entity; it is a contingent achievement that can be challenged and altered. By linking mobility studies, science and technology studies, and urban and environmental studies, this work provides valuable insights for scholars interested in urban sustainability and equity. It underscores the importance of reclaiming streets from automobility to achieve significant environmental and social benefits.