“Bridge over troubled water”: Perceived accessibility prevents social exclusion in Chinese cities

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between perceived accessibility and social exclusion in rapidly urbanising Chinese cities, revealing how subjective mobility evaluations impact inclusion across diverse populations. Applying double/debiased machine learning to data from 5591 respondents across ten major cities, we analyse three dimensions of perceived accessibility—daily necessities, public services, and social activities—and their differential effects on social exclusion. Results show that whilst all dimensions significantly mitigate exclusion, social activities accessibility exerts the strongest influence, underscoring the primacy of relational connections in fostering inclusion. Women demonstrate heightened sensitivity to daily necessities accessibility, elderly individuals respond almost exclusively to social activities accessibility, and economically disadvantaged populations show strong associations between public services accessibility and reduced exclusion. These patterns demonstrate how accessibility needs are fundamentally structured by social position. By emphasising equality-transcending perspectives on transport justice, we offer policymakers a nuanced framework for prioritising targeted interventions that address social exclusion.