15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Mobility hubs bring together, connect, and provide users with several modes of transport. Cities adopt them to help reach many objectives simultaneously, mainly the reduction of air pollution, congestion, and car ownership. Each mobility hub is unique, but many of them have similar characteristics that allow them to be classified. Various typologies exist. Although the mobility hub concept is flexible, the implementation of a mobility hub adapted to the needs and objectives can sometimes be complicated, as it requires many steps and may face difficulties at each step. Despite the simplicity of the mobility hub concept, they seem to be an interesting, complex, and challenging topic to investigate. Mobility hubs play a crucial role in the framework of proximity and also 15-minute city by facilitating access to multiple transportation options within a short distance from where people live and work. They contribute to making essential services and amenities easily reachable, reducing reliance on private cars, and promoting more sustainable modes of travel such as cycling, walking, and public transit. This helps to create a more accessible, livable, and environmentally friendly urban environment, aligning perfectly with the objectives of the 15-minute city model, which prioritizes proximity, accessibility, and reduced travel times. As part of the Interreg Mobi-Mix project, we have taken a close look at mobility hubs. Based on bibliographic research and discussions with experts and cities, we established a state of the art that will help to better understand the concept. Without focusing on economic aspects, cities will benefit from different European experiences and a number of recommendations for a better implementation of mobility hubs.

In recent decades, mobility policies and transportation services have evolved rapidly, especially in large and medium-sized cities. Sustainable mobility is now at the core of many public policies, resulting in significant changes in urban infrastructure, amenities, and services. Alongside the continuous improvement of public transport, cities are promoting active modes of transportation and shifting away from private vehicle ownership toward shared mobility. Public-Private Partnerships are also playing a key role in this transition. Mobility hubs are central to these efforts, bringing together various shared and public transport options as alternatives to private cars. These hubs are seen as a solution to encourage multimodality, walking, cycling, and public transport, while improving accessibility and reducing car dependency. By locating several mobility options in one place, hubs increase the visibility and convenience of sustainable transport. In the context of proximity and 15-minute city, mobility hubs are particularly relevant, as they ensure that residents can easily access multiple transportation options within a short distance from their homes. This promotes low-emission travel and reduces the need for private car use, aligning with the goals of creating more livable and accessible urban environments. Mobility hubs not only simplify transit and enhance connectivity but can also be integrated into MaaS (Mobility as a Service) applications, further streamlining access to information, reservations, and payments. Thus, mobility hubs reflect broader urban mobility policies and offer cities innovative planning tools, particularly within the framework of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), helping to shape more sustainable, interconnected urban areas.

Today, many cities are implementing policies that promote sustainable mobility, including reducing car dependency, expanding pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and improving public transport. However, these policies also raise the question of their impact on access to everyday resources: Are these sustainable mobility options designed in a way that effectively meets the needs of the population as a whole, or only selectively? Can active modes such as walking and cycling offer a viable alternative to the car for accessing essential services across the entire urban area? Addressing these questions requires analyzing how mobility infrastructure aligns with spatial ergonomics — the ease and convenience with which people can reach necessary destinations. Ergonomics of access is crucial for the 15-minute city model, where the aim is to ensure that residents can conveniently reach essential services (e.g., workplaces, shops, schools) within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. Poorly designed infrastructure or barriers can create disparities in access, leaving some areas underserved and undermining the promise of equitable mobility. A detailed geographical analysis applied to 12 test areas in the Eurométropole de Strasbourg using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has highlighted socio-spatial disparities. Understanding these differences allows cities to identify where improvements are needed to create cohesive, accessible, and equitable urban environments. By integrating spatial ergonomics into planning, local authorities can develop targeted strategies that enable all residents, regardless of location or socio-economic status, to shift towards more sustainable travel modes, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of sustainable mobility policies.