Problem Statement

Urban areas worldwide face challenges such as traffic congestion, pollution, and a lack of livable public spaces, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift in urban planning. One approach to reimagining urban life is the “15-Minute City” concept introduced by Carlos Moreno in 2020. This innovative planning model envisions neighborhoods where essential services and daily needs are accessible within a 15-minute walk or a short bike ride. However, critics argue that focusing exclusively on isochrone areas—those reachable within 15 minutes—may overlook the diversity of urban life and risk excluding certain social groups. This critique underscores the complexity of inclusive urban planning within the 15-Minute City framework and the need for further research to implement the concept in a socially and spatially sustainable way.

Project Objective

The project aims to explore the foundations and framework conditions for implementing the 15-Minute City in five European cities: Rome (Italy), Karlsruhe (Germany), Izmir (Turkey), Lyon (France), and Thurgau (Switzerland). Beyond evaluating the feasibility of transport and urban planning, the project investigates how to achieve the 15-Minute City in a socially just and inclusive manner. By integrating research, technology, citizen participation, and modern urban planning, the project seeks to remove physical and psychological barriers and promote a lifestyle aligned with the 15-Minute City concept. A participatory digital platform tailored to the diverse needs of citizens serves as the foundation for data collection and information dissemination.

Methodology

The Institute for Transport Studies is developing the scientific foundation for implementing the 15-Minute City using the example of Karlsruhe. For this, we utilize the agent-based travel demand model mobiTopp and its logistics extension logiTopp. Initially, we analyze the model outputs to determine which trips are already completed within 15 minutes by walking or cycling. At the same time, we examine which activities exceed this time frame and the structural reasons behind it.

Through workshops and participatory formats with citizens, the public transit authority, and the City of Karlsruhe, we identify the necessary conditions and measures to realize the 15-Minute City. Using various scenarios, we simulate with mobiTopp how these measures affect the project's goals. Additionally, we analyze how the availability of jobs and services would need to change, what impact new urban structures would have on travel behavior, and what requirements arise for infrastructure and transport services. The parcel delivery sector is also considered to assess its potential contribution to the 15-Minute City.

The insights gained feed directly into the participatory digital platform, which promotes sustainable mobility and helps shape future-proof urban neighborhoods. Furthermore, these findings enable a comparison with other pilot cities of the project, ensuring the development of scalable solutions for livable and sustainable cities.