The Evolutive Meshed Compact City.
A pragmatic transition pathway to the 15-minutes city for European metropolitan peripheries
The objective of the research proposal is to explore solutions for the transition of suburban settlement structures, currently dependent on the massive or exclusive use of private cars, towards settlement forms inspired by the concept of the 15-minute city. The creation of a 15-minute city (15mC) requires meeting demanding requirements in terms of urban form and spatial organization of the physical settlement, which must be integrated into a strategy for transforming suburban and peri-urban areas characterized by low settlement density, predominantly residential use, weak demand for public and private services, and strong (or total) dependence on private car use. Based on this, the project proposes a new model of the 15mC for low-density settlement structures typical of peripheral urban locations: the Evolutive Meshed Compact City (EMC2).
The EMC2 model envisions the formation of compact urban settlements as linear development corridors based on existing main roads, forming an integrated structure across the entire metropolitan area. Redesigned for predominantly pedestrian use, these interconnected roads will be transformed into vibrant main streets—vital public spaces offering residents high quality of life and use, a wide and diverse range of services, and connections to mobility options at both urban and metropolitan scales.
The project aims to implement the EMC2 model at various scales across six diverse European case studies, using a trilateral research methodology that integrates innovative techniques, methods, and tools for geospatial modeling and network analysis, qualitative analysis and observation of uses and functions, and comparative morphological and functional analysis methods.
The main goal of the project is a detailed specification of the EMC2 model, useful for effectively implementing the 15-minute city settlement model in suburban and peri-urban contexts, while avoiding further polarization, increased territorial disparities, and tensions between gentrified centers and peripheral areas.
The EMC2 model is proposed as an effective and feasible solution for realizing the 15mC in European suburban and peri-urban areas, highlighting the limitations, challenges, and opportunities arising from their networked structure. The model also considers the potential temporal evolution of the network, in relation to demographic trends and variations in space usage (throughout the day, week, or year), recognizing the polychronous nature of the 15mC (Ascher 1997, Moreno et al. 2021).
Concretely, the project will produce a multiscale and transferable method to explore the potential formation of EMC2 in European suburban areas, along with guidelines for practical implementation of the model, including examples. The dissemination of results is planned both in academic contexts and among policymakers, professionals, and stakeholders in the urban and territorial scene.
Duration: expected to be 36 months, starting on 01.10.2023.
Participation: The project will be developed by an international consortium of 8 partners, including 5 co-applicants and 3 cooperation partners.
Website: https://dutpartnership.eu/
