From the Neighbourhood Unit to the 15-Minute City. Past and Recent Urban Models for Post-COVID Cities

Abstract

This article critically discusses the 15-Minute City model through a review of proximity-based concepts and theories developed in the twentieth century, proposed here under the umbrella term of the Proximity City, thus tracing its historical trajectory from Perry’s Neighbourhood Unit to Calthorpe’s Transit-Oriented Development up to more recent time-based models such as the 1-Minute City. Furthermore, it scrutinizes the limits and potential of this model against four main challenges highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, namely self-sufficiency, social cohesion and inclusiveness, environmental sustainability and climate responsiveness and resilience to future health crises. In conclusion, it provides recommendations to inform future research and practice aimed at creating eco-social urban systems for post-COVID future cities.