An investigation of 15-minute neighbourhoods in Surrey, British Columbia: A community-informed social equity analysis for a fast-growing, diverse, Canadian city

Abstract

Introduction

Auto-centric urban design drives health and environmental issues. Proximity-based concepts like “15-minute neighbourhoods” can reduce these harms. Most studies on 15-minute neighbourhoods have been in European centres, and few have incorporated community views. Set in a fast-growing city, this study developed a community-informed definition of 15-minute neighbourhoods and explored social equity in accessibility to amenities.

Methods

Based in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada (population 580,000), this mixed-methods study involved mapping and community engagement. We created preliminary maps of 15-minute neighbourhoods by using open data for 6 amenity types (community centres, educational facilities, grocery stores, health facilities, parks, and public transit) and mapping spatial access by walking/cycling for every dissemination area using ArcGIS and r5r. We then hosted focus groups with equity-deserving residents (n = 102) to understand if these preliminary maps aligned with their experiences and gather input on what was missing and what concerns they had. We drew on participants’ input to create a community-informed definition and refined maps. With census data (2021), we conducted a social equity analysis by calculating the percentage of residents living in 15-minute neighbourhoods and assessing access for equity-deserving populations.

Results

Overall, 52% of Surrey residents lived in areas considered 15-minute neighbourhoods. Participants felt maps missed some amenities (e.g., places of worship) and that beyond amenities, supportive infrastructure, safety, and terrain were vital. We produced bivariate maps, including microscale design features, highlighting areas with many amenities but little supportive infrastructure. The social equity analysis did not highlight inequities in spatial access; rather, areas with more children/youth living in one-parent households, Indigenous peoples, low income residents, and recent immigrants were more likely to be 15-minute neighbourhoods.

Conclusions

Community voices added insights into factors beyond amenities that matter. As proximity-based planning proceeds, care is needed to ensure that future city design meets the needs of all residents.