Digital Accessibility, for whom? : An interview-based study of planners understanding of digital accessibility and the integration of it in transport planning

In an era increasingly shaped by digitalization, this thesis investigates how Swedish planners understand and engage with the concept of digital accessibility within the context of transport planning. Through a qualitative research design, involving semi-structured interviews with planners from municipalities, regions, and national authorities, the study explores two key questions: how digital accessibility is understood and integrated in transport planning, and how it is perceived to affect everyday life and travel habits across different societal groups. Findings reveal that digital accessibility is a multifaceted and often ambiguously defined concept, understood both as a mean to access services without physical travel and as a tool for enhancing citizen participation in planning processes. While planners generally view digital accessibility as a promising pathway toward environmental sustainability and societal efficiency, concerns are also raised regarding digital exclusion, especially among the elderly, people with disabilities, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. The study highlights a gap between this awareness and the practical implementation and argues for the need to apply an intersectional perspective when developing digital strategies in transport planning, to ensure inclusivity and social equity. Ultimately, digital accessibility is seen not only as a technological issue, but as a transformative force that may redefine the role of planners and the nature of accessibility in contemporary transport systems.