Exploring the impact of accessibility on leisure social diversity: A Schelling model approach to 15-minute cities

One proposal to improve accessibility is the 15-minute city; the goal is to create a city where all daily necessities are reachable in a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home. However, a potential consequence is the reduction of the role of city centers, which are essential places of interaction among diverse social groups. This study investigates the potential impact that a 15-minute city would have on the co-presence of individuals from different social groups. Using an Agent-Based model and Zurich as a case study, we analyze how a relocation of POIs, as proposed by the 15-minute city, impacts the co-presence of socioeconomic groups in leisure activities, with a focus on bars and restaurants. Two conclusions can be drawn. First, the reorganization of venues reduces the distance traveled by 1.2 kilometers for restaurants and bars; second, the dissimilarity index of the city center increased by 0.03 (less diversity), but the average dissimilarity of the city decreased by 0.11 (more diversity), showing that a redistribution of POIs following a 15-minute ideal increases the co-presence of individuals during leisure activities while reducing the distance traveled. Such insights are valuable for urban and transport planners as they help to understand the broader social implications of a spatial reorganization of services and activities.