Participation is a topic that has been widely debated in planning literature. There is a great deal of knowledge exploring the complexities of participatory planning, expanding notions of participation both within and outside state-led planning and conceptualising efforts from marginalised groups as forms of participation. In the field of transport and mobility planning on the other hand, little is known about the complexities of participation in mobility planning and the dynamics of participation beyond governmental boundaries. This understanding becomes even scarcer within the Global South context where mobility planning is not always fair and inclusive. Considering participation as a term that can accommodate a wide range of motivations, implications and forms, this thesis explores the role of participation in mobility planning in the Global South. The research adopts an innovative conceptual framework that was built upon critical and Global South perspectives on participation and mobility, the spaces for participation approach (Cornwall, 2002; Gaventa, 2005) and the ‘staging mobilities’
framework (Jensen, 2013; 2014). This framework was used to: identify participatory efforts in the staging of mobilities from above (governance of mobility) and from below (outside governmental boundaries); explore the dynamics across spaces; investigate the extent to which they contribute to mobility justice; examine whether marginalised populations engage with existing spaces (inside or outside the state) or create alternative ones, and grasp the significance of participation and mobility to different stakeholders. In this thesis, the empirical investigation focused on the Brazilian context and used Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre as the case study sites. The research
findings provide evidence of a range of spaces for participation in planning, contesting and improving mobility both within and outside state-led planning. The findings contribute to the understanding of the nature and dynamics of participatory efforts mobilised by marginalised populations in informal settlements and the limitations of participation in state-led mobility planning in addressing mobility justice. Evidence also highlights a plurality of meanings attributed to participation and mobility that helps understand their significance in the Global South. This thesis concludes that the multiple roles, forms and definitions of participation theorised in this research add nuance to participatory debates in mobility studies, transport geography, development studies and planning literature, demonstrate the value of bringing together these different fields and provide an original contribution to knowledge.