RETHINKING ACCESSIBILITY IN THE 15-MINUTE CITY: GLOBAL PROJECT INSIGHTS - (Hosted within track 3: Mobility)

Organizers

Özge Yalçın Ercoşkun, Gazi University
Ebru Vesile Öcalır, Gazi University

Presenters

Paola Pucci, Politecnico di Milano - DAStU
Noriko Otsuka, ILS Research gGmbH
Hilal Tulan Işıldar, Gazi University
Felix Pot, University of Groningen
Eduarda Marques da Costa, University of Lisbon

The concept of the 15-minute city has emerged as a transformative urban planning model aimed at fostering sustainable, accessible, and livable environments where residents can meet their daily needs within a short distance from their homes. This special session synthesizes insights from various studies that explore the multifaceted dimensions of accessibility in the context of the 15-minute city. The session emphasizes the need to rethink accessibility by proximity, advocating for a combined functional and relational understanding that accounts for the diverse needs of community members. By addressing potential pitfalls such as standardizing accessibility and exacerbating existing social inequalities, the studies propose a framework that integrates both normative and positive dimensions of accessibility. Key findings highlight the critical role of shared mobility services in promoting equitable transport and mobility justice. An analysis of the supply structures of car, bike, and e-scooter services reveals significant disparities in availability across socio-economic and cultural demographics. This inequity underscores the importance of addressing the digital divide and enhancing user capabilities to ensure marginalized communities are not left behind in the transition toward shared mobility solutions. Furthermore, a case study in Ankara illustrates how resident perceptions of accessibility vary significantly between districts, reflecting the challenges of implementing the 15-minute city model in diverse urban contexts. Utilizing walk-along interviews, the study captures the lived experiences of residents, revealing discrepancies between ideal planning visions and actual infrastructural realities. While some areas align with the 15-minute city ideals, barriers such as inadequate pedestrian infrastructure and safety concerns persist, particularly in less affluent neighborhoods. The other paper argues that cities, as complex adaptive systems, require a condition-based approach to encourage diverse transport and land-use configurations within flexible, normative boundaries. The last study finds that compact cities like Vienna and Lisbon offer better accessibility to essential urban services, while lower-density and peri-urban areas face significant challenges, particularly for elderly residents. This highlights the need for urban policies that ensure equitable access to services, aligning with the principles of the 15-minute city concept. The collective insights from these studies advocate for a more inclusive approach to urban planning that genuinely prioritizes accessibility for all citizens, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue between planners and communities to realize the full potential of the 15-minute city. This session contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable urban mobility and highlights the importance of tailoring strategies to local contexts and resident needs from the experience of international projects.

Key words: Accessibility, Fair 15-Minute City, Shared Mobility, Resident Perceptions, Urban Services