Use and knowledge of transport as a source of agency and empowerment for migration. 

This seminar looks into the ways public transport and walking paths can act as avenues of integration - the extent to which they are welcoming or hostile to migrants and other new arrivals. We will be sharing lessons learnt and progress from the CoMapEA (co-producing maps for equitable access) project that took place in Bogota, Colombia between 2025 and 2026. We will explore how understanding ways to navigate the city depends significantly on coproduced infrastructures that include human interaction (formal and informal vendors, public service officials, neighbours) as well as local knowledge. A better understanding of these infrastructures and their interplay with local knowledge is essential in creating more welcoming environments in cities in the future. 

The morning session will cover a presentation of the fieldwork conducted and initial findings of the project. After lunch, participants will be split into groups to brainstorm possible avenues for further research and collaboration. Lunch will be provided and spaces are limited. Registration is necessary. 

11:00-12:30 - Presentation of research and findings 

12:30-13:30 - Lunch 

13:30-15:00 - Interactive workshop
 

Speakers:

Dr Valentina Montoya Robledo, Senior Researcher in Gender and Mobility, Transport Studies Unit (TSU), University of Oxford

Dr Esteban Devis-Amaya, Co-lead for the Migration and Refugees Research Network (MRN) at Oxford Brookes University.

Dr Juan Pablo Orjuela, Senior Manager, C40 Cities