CAR-OWNERSHIP IN THE LONDON METROPOLITAN REGION

A SAMPLE SURVEY CARRIED OUT IN THE LONDON METROPOLITAN REGION IN 1970 IS ANALYSED IN AN ATTEMPT TO ANSWER TWO QUESTIONS: WHAT KINDS OF PEOPLE LIVE IN HOUSEHOLDS WITHOUT CARS, AND HOW MUCH DIFFERENCE DOES THE CAR MAKE TO PEOPLE'S LIVES? ON THE FIRST, THE SURVEY CONFIRMS THE INFLUENCE OF STAGE IN LIFE, SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS AND GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION UPON CAR-OWNERSHIP. ON THE SECOND, IT SUGGESTS THAT NOT HAVING A CAR CRUCIALLY AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF PEOPLE'S LIFE AND LEISURE.(A)