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This study explores the potential of Turkey’s mid-sized cities to align with the "15-minute city" concept, emphasizing proximity, inclusivity, and sustainability. These cities, characterized by compact urban areas where most residents live within a 3-km radius, inherently support walkable, proximity-based urban planning. However, rising automobilization and minimal car use restrictions along with uncoordinated transportation policies in Turkey pose significant risks to the realization of this concept. This research underscores the need for integrated transportation strategies, pedestrian-focused urban planning, and stringent parking policies to support 15-minute city while mitigating car dependence and fostering sustainable urban environments.
Central to the "15-minute city" framework is the reorganization of urban functions to ensure proximity within neighborhoods, necessitating systemic changes in resource allocation patterns and governance schemes (Pozoukidou and Chatziyiannaki, 2021). The concept also emphasizes principles of proximity, diversity, density, and ubiquity, aiming to reduce reliance on motorized transport while promoting sustainable and equitable urban living (Moreno et al., 2021). Practical frameworks for neighborhood-level transformations and multimodal connectivity with an emphasis on public engagement and behavioral shifts in Moreno (2024) are particularly relevant for Turkish cities in transition.
For Turkish cities, rethinking public transportation as the backbone of urban mobility is essential. Developing trunk transit systems free from regular traffic conditions can increase reliability and encourage shifts from private vehicle use. Public transport nodes, such as rail and bus stations, should be integrated into neighborhoods to support seamless multimodal connectivity while reducing car travel.
Pedestrian-friendly design is another critical component. Enhancing walkability through well-maintained sidewalks, safe crossings, and traffic-free inviting public spaces can significantly encourage active mobility. Walkable neighborhoods not only promote physical health but also contribute to cognitive well-being and social interaction, particularly among vulnerable populations like the elderly (Zhang et al., 2023). Moreover, pedestrian infrastructure must account for inclusivity, addressing the "last millimeter" challenges to ensure accessibility for all (Buliung, 2024).
Parking policies play a pivotal role in reducing car dependency. Stringent regulations, such as limiting parking availability in central areas and imposing higher fees, discourage car use and reclaim urban space for pedestrian and community activities (Núñez et al., 2024). Mixed land-use planning further supports proximity by ensuring essential services, amenities, and recreational spaces are distributed across neighborhoods, thereby fostering local economies and social cohesion (Pozoukidou and Chatziyiannaki, 2021).
While the theoretical underpinnings of the "15-minute city" are rooted in principles of proximity and inclusivity, practical implementation requires data-driven approaches. Tools like the Next Proximity Index (NEXI) can assess accessibility levels and identify gaps in urban planning, guiding tailored interventions (Olivari et al., 2023). Besides, the experiences of cities worldwide provide valuable insights. For instance, European cities with high pedestrian accessibility and diverse land use demonstrate reduced car reliance and enhanced urban equity (Vale and Lopes, 2023). Similarly, compact neighborhoods in ultra-dense cities like Shanghai showcase how mixed-use planning and walkability can foster cognitive and physical health (Zhang et al., 2023). These examples underscore the importance of adopting integrated urban design principles that prioritize human-centric planning over car-oriented development.
Although Turkey's mid-sized cities possess unique opportunities to lead by example in movement, transitioning to the "15-minute city" in these cities requires addressing existing challenges, including societal car dependency and fragmented urban governance. The study explores different traits of collaboration across for sustainable urban planning goals. Moreover, community engagement in planning processes ensures that interventions reflect local needs and aspirations, fostering public support and long-term success (Pozoukidou and Chatziyiannaki, 2021).
References
Buliung, R. (2024) ‘15-minute cities, walkability, and last millimeter problems’, Disability & Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2024.2385919.
Moreno, C. et al. (2021) ‘Introducing the 15-Minute City: Sustainability, Resilience, and Place Identity in Future Post-Pandemic Cities’, Smart Cities, 4(1): 93-111. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities4010006.
Moreno, C. (2024) The 15-Minute City: A Bold Solution for Saving the Planet. London: Scribe UK.
Núñez, M.-B.F., et al. (2024) ‘Car-use reduction in 15-Minute Cities: A matter of modal shift or shorter travel distances?’, Journal of Urban Mobility, 6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urbmob.2024.100093.
Olivari, B., et al. (2023) ‘Are Italian cities already 15-minute? Presenting the Next Proximity Index: A novel and scalable way to measure it’, Journal of Urban Mobility, 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urbmob.2023.100057.
Vale, D., Lopes, A.S. (2023) ‘Accessibility inequality across Europe: a comparison of 15-minute pedestrian accessibility in cities with 100,000 or more inhabitants’, npj Urban Sustainability, 3(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42949-023-00133-w.
Zhang, S., et al. (2023) ‘Creating livable cities for healthy ageing: Cognitive health in older adults and their 15-minute walkable neighbourhoods’, Cities, 137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2023.104312.
| Keywords | 15-minute city; sustainable urban planning; public transportation; mid-sized cities; Turkey. |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | No |
