15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Community presentation

This community showcases the latest research on 15 minute cities and practitioners' experiences in implementing the concept. It is an initiative of the ACUTE (Accessibility and Connectivity for Urban Transformation in Europe) project, whose aim is to create a knowledge hub for exchange in the field of urban accessibility and connectivity. Our purpose is to overcome the fragmentation of knowledge, experience, skills and outcomes. ACUTE addresses the challenges of sustainable urban passenger mobility, freight transport, connectivity and accessibility as an integral and essential part of sustainable urban development. ACUTE aims to create a space for stakeholders to exchange and co-create. The community provides an inclusive environment for urban actors from different backgrounds (researchers, practitioners, public administrators, entrepreneurs, social innovators, etc.) to discuss current issues and priorities and to identify the most pressing urban challenges of today and tomorrow.

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Thursday, April 30, 2026

Alain L'Hostis has published the event Knowlege Hub Webinar: Rethinking the Measurement of Accessibility and Proximity

4/30/26, 2:27 PM · 15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Monday

May

- 2:00 PM 4:00 PM

1 present 1 attendees

This Knowledge Hub Webinar explores new ways of understanding and measuring accessibility and proximity in today’s evolving urban and social contexts. It brings together experts sharing innovative analytical methods and participatory approaches that challenge traditional metrics.

Four research cohorts will present their findings, each offering a unique perspective on accessibility and social justice.

Participants will learn how large-scale digital Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) can uncover disparities in accessibility and proximity. In addition, the session will highlight the photovoice method, capturing everyday experiences through participatory media.

Experts from DUT projects will rethink accessibility by shifting the focus from simply being “close to” resources toward what is “fair for” communities. In additon, the webinar will examine perceived accessibility and justice, introducing new metrics relevant to shared mobility studies. By combining data-driven insights with lived experiences, the event aims to provide a more holistic view of accessibility.

Agenda

14:00-14:05

Introduction
14:05-14:20

Using Innovative Large-Scale Digital Public Participation GIS Method (PPGIS) to Understand and Measure Accessibility (disparities) and Proximity - AccessCity4All
14:20-14:35

Gendered Society = Gendered mobility - FairMobility
14:35-14:50

Collecting everyday experiences through participatory media: the photovoice method - CONIFER
14:50-15:05

Perceived accessibility and perceived justice approaches - Share4Equity

Metrics for access, accessibility and social justice in shared mobility studies-Share4Equity
15:05-15:30

Questions and Open discussion

Register

Alain L'Hostis has uploaded iStock-2187262569.jpg

4/30/26, 2:25 PM · 15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Monday, April 27, 2026

Alain L'Hostis has published Answer on "Inquiry regarding accessibility thresholds (15-Minute City concept)"

4/27/26, 12:46 PM · 15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Dear Noah Dias your questions are most welcome because they are at the core of the concept and its application.

Question 1: no academic, evidence based, rationale for the 15 min threshold exists in the 15-min cities concept. The threshold is largely discussed in the literature, and we can here refer to the notions of x-min cities, and +-15-min cities to underline the idea that 15 minutes is absol... more

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Alain L'Hostis has published the event Urban Lunch Talk: Boosting Active Mobility in the 15-minute City

4/21/26, 12:10 PM · 15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Wednesday

April

- 12:00 PM 1:00 PM

1 present 1 attendees

590a7a0d-7d7e-a918-77a0-646f614a0e5b Wednesday 22 April | 12:00-13:00 (CET) | Online (Zoom)

Across Europe, cities are working to make active mobility an easy and enjoyable part of daily life. Yet challenges remain, from unequal access to safe infrastructure to social and physical barriers that shape how people move.

In Urban Lunch Talk #46: Boosting Active Mobility in the 15-minute City, experts from across Europe discuss what active mobility looks like in 2026, why barriers persist, and how cities can support more inclusive and active lifestyles. The talk will highlight regional differences and showcase key actors leading the shift toward healthy, movement-friendly cities.

Join us to explore how urban environments can make walking and cycling the natural choice for everyone.

Register

Urban Lunch Talks webinar series
This Urban Lunch Talk is part of a webinar series to discuss and synthesise cross-cutting research and innovation, with diverse stakeholders across Europe and beyond. By facilitating conversations among various stakeholders, we aim to inspire collaborative efforts and practical solutions that can drive sustainable transitions in urban policies and practices. The webinar is designed to be more of a listening experience, allowing you to enjoy your lunch or take a walk at the same time. The Urban Lunch Talk is live-recorded on Zoom, and later published for the Driving Urban Transitions YouTube channel.

Alain L'Hostis has uploaded 590a7a0d-7d7e-a918-77a0-646f614a0e5b

4/21/26, 12:10 PM · 15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Monday, April 20, 2026

Noah Dias has published Inquiry regarding accessibility thresholds (15-Minute City concept)

4/20/26, 11:36 AM · 15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Hello,

I am posting this message on the recommendation of Mr. Elie Guitton, who suggested I reach out to Mr. Alain L'Hostis.

I am currently conducting research on accessibility times for local amenities, based on the "15-minute city" framework. I have found limited information regarding two specific points:

The rationale behind the 15-minute threshold: What is the specific basis for this 15-min... more

Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Alain L'Hostis has published the event DUT Conference 2026 -- From promise to proof

4/7/26, 2:22 PM · 15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Wednesday

June

- 8:45 AM 5:45 PM

We invite you to join us in Brussels on 10 June 2026 for a full-day conference to engage in dialogues on how to future-proof cities and to expand your network.

The Decade of Action implies a growing urgency to translate high-level goals in the Urban Agenda for the EU, UN Agenda 2030, European Green Deal, and Competitiveness Compass into tangible local outcomes. With a mission to fund transformative research and innovation to build capacities of urban stakeholders and empower them to drive urban transitions in Europe and beyond, the European Partnership Driving Urban Transitions (DUT) is uniquely positioned to help cities deliver on European and global sustainability commitments.

The DUT Conference 2026 will highlight DUT’s flagship activities and strategic direction towards 2033, as well as concrete results, lessons learned and scalable solutions from DUT-funded projects on urban mobility, energy and circularity.

The conference will bring together stakeholders from academia, public authorities, private sector, civil society, policymakers and European institutions and initiatives. It will showcase and discuss transdisciplinary collaboration, innovative solutions, and scaling opportunities through a bottom-up research model that supports climate neutral, resilient and inclusive urban transition in Europe and worldwide. To ensure a truly global dialogue we invite participants and projects from across the globe.

On the programme

Panels with experts, European and local leaders discussing the soft power of cities and how to build bridges between local experiences and European urban policies.
Break-out sessions showcasing results and solutions from the first generation of DUT-funded projects in 15-minute City, Circular Urban Economies and Positive Energy Districts
Panel sessions and workshops giving insights from DUT flagship activities, such as the DUT City Panel and Urban Doers Community
Open Area: a space for DUT’s strategic partners and stakeholders to showcase their work
First reveal of call topics for DUT Call 2026
Networking

Please note that the conference programme is preliminary and may be subject to change.

Registration

Onsite Registration

Online Registration

We expect 250 participants to join the event on-site and many more to join the conference online. Attendance is free of charge.

Alain L'Hostis has published the event New European Bauhaus Festival 2026

4/7/26, 2:16 PM · 15-min cities : Bringing more proximity in cities

Tuesday

June

Tuesday June 09 2026 Saturday June 13 2026

Brussels, Art & History Museum, Parc du Cinquantenaire

Brussels, Art & History Museum, Parc du Cinquantenaire, 9-13 June 2026

“First life, then spaces, then buildings.
The other way around never works.”

(Jan Gehl, Danish architect)

Buildings and common spaces should be designed around the people who live in them. That’s why we place communities at the heart of the 2026 Festival of the New European Bauhaus. The Festival creates a place to understand people’s needs and aspirations and showcase projects that successfully reflect them. In doing so, it demonstrates how an inclusive, sustainable and high-quality built environment can foster community, strengthen resilience and boost competitiveness.

Join us for the third edition of the Festival of the New European Bauhaus! For five days, communities, creators and changemakers will come together to celebrate creativity, explore innovative ideas and shape a more inclusive, sustainable and vibrant future.

The biennial Festival showcases the best practices of the New European Bauhaus, the European Commission initiative that brings the clean transition to our built environments and improves everyday life for everyone. It aims to inspire communities to reimagine spaces, design better living environments and drive sustainability and inclusivity.

The 2026 edition of the NEB Festival will focus on Democratic Engagement, showing how citizens can be involved in shaping their communities, and on Affordable Housing, the foundation for strong, inclusive societies.