Proximity matters—but it’s not the full story!
The 15-minute city concept aims to promote active transport and enhance accessibility, yetliving close to urban amenities doesn’t automatically lead to local, sustainable lifestyles for everyone.
In our recent study published in the Journal of Urban Mobility, we explored how sociodemographic factors interact with urban proximity to shape who truly adopts a 15-minute city lifestyle in Barcelona.
What did we find?
✅ Almost universal proximity: 95% of residents live within a 15-minute walk to key daily destinations.
✅ Proximity ≠ Use: Only 26% actually carry out their non-commuting activities within that radius.
➡️ Seeing the glass half full: that’s 1 in 4 residents already living the 15-minute lifestyle.
✅ Sociodemographic disparities persist: Women, older adults, and individuals with lower education levels were significantly more likely to adopt proximity-based behaviors.
✅ Cultural and personal preferences matter: Social networks, lifestyle aspirations, and habit often outweigh spatial accessibility in shaping mobility choices.
Planning takeaway:
To achieve truly sustainable, proximity-based lifestyles, built environment improvements must be coupled with inclusive social and policy interventions. Accessibility is only the first step.
📖 Citation:
Maciejewska, M., Cubells, J., & Marquet, O. (2025). When proximity is not enough. A sociodemographic analysis of 15-minute city lifestyles. Journal of Urban Mobility, 7, 100119.
