Observing Migrants' Usage Patterns of Cyber-Physical Infrastructure

Project Lead
Team Members
Kyle Fitzsimmons, Farbod Abbasi, Mollika Chakraborty, Henrique De Freitas Serra, Houman Haghi, Mahan Mollajafari, Isaac Otchere
Sub-Theme: Cyber-Physical Service Infrastructure
This sub-theme explores how cyber-physical infrastructure influences migrant accessibility, opportunity, and integration outcomes. It examines the interplay between physical and social infrastructures, their impact on migrant support, and the role of infrastructure in shaping migration patterns.

Objective
As a first step in the sub-theme, this project seeks to develop a deeper understanding in terms of the cyber-physical service infrastructure needs, commercial and social activities, and usage patterns of migrants (upcoming, new, and settled), evolving residential pathways of new Canadians and their implications for migrant integration.

Research Questions
- What is the state of current urban cyber-physical infrastructure and services in relation to migrant support?
- How do infrastructure usage patterns look for different groups of migrants?
- How are the cyber-physical and social infrastructure intertwined with each other?

Methodology
The project will primarily involve the development of revealed and stated preference surveys. Additionally, data from Statistics Canada, municipal surveys, and commercial datasets will be acquired, based on needs.

Status
The project is currently in progress. Development of the BDMobility app and its architecture has advanced, with a Stated Preference survey integrated and pilot testing completed. The app and study results were presented at international and program conferences, and the app has now been submitted to Google Play and the App Store, with release expected soon for a first study with new immigrants this summer. A new detailed dataset has also been secured, with further negotiations underway for expanded census data.
Expected completion date: Winter 2026

Outcomes
Past events and presentations:
- Presentation on the BDMobility App and pilot study, Bridging Divides Conference, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada, June 17, 2025
- Presentation on the BDMobility App and pilot study, 13th Conference on Transport Survey Methods, Da Nang, Vietnam, March 30–April 4, 2025
- “Infrastructure services and immigrant integration ontology”, presented by A. Subhatu, TMU Bridging Divides Retreat Fall 2024, Toronto, Canada, October 10, 2024

Keywords
Canadian migrant; cyber-physical infrastructure; migrant support; survey; usage patterns
