When proximity is not enough. A sociodemographic analysis of 15-minute city lifestyles

Abstract

The x-minute city concept has gained prominence over the last decade. This approach promotes environmental and social sustainability by encouraging active transportation and enhancing accessibility for all residents. While the potential benefits of x-minute planning are well-documented, the equitable distribution and actual adoption of these benefits remain unclear. Previous research indicates that very few households manage to conduct all daily activities nearby, even in well-designed environments. Using Barcelona's dense, compact environment with its mixed land use and diverse amenities, this study explores what sociodemographic determinants better predict the use of 15 or 30-minute lifestyles. To do so, we combine highly disaggregated spatial datasets providing minimum walking times to a set of 25 everyday destinations, with travel behavior data. We first use a weighted linear model to assess whether proximity levels vary by sociodemographic factors. Then, we apply generalized additive models to test whether adhering to a 15/30-minute-city lifestyle depends solely on proximity to urban functions or if sociodemographic factors also play a role. The results indicate that, although 95 % and 99 % of respondents live in areas with access to urban amenities within 15 and 30 min respectively, their actual travel behavior shows that potential availability does not necessarily translate into actual usage. This study deepens our understanding of the cultural and societal factors that explain this disconnection—from the expansive nature of modern urban lifestyles to cultural preferences for novelty, variety, and exploration. We thus reflect on the complexity of fostering proximity-based travel behavior through built environment design and planning, highlighting the need for complementary social and policy measures