Different mobility patterns in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires. A suburban perspective.

Since the early 1990s it is possible to observe ample construction activities en the suburbia of the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires (AMBA), which produces a huge quantity of private urbanizations (gated communities). Its development is strongly linked to the construction of freeways that offer a fast access from the periurban communities to the centre of the agglomeration, where most of its work places are located. The mobility patterns are characterized by the use of the private automobile. Furthermore is evident, from the beginning of the agglomeration constitution, a “traditional” suburbanization process at the AMBA borders realized by economically less equipped population segments. This process is realized in the periphery where the land values are lower. The inhabitants seek to minimize their mobility costs and depend principally on the public transport system with its deficient characteristics in the suburban area. That way different mobility patterns are developed in the suburban AMBA.