By Leslie Vasquez Guzman
If cities want to reduce car dependency, it will take more than putting amenities closer together. New research from Japan reveals a persistent pattern: even when people live within a 15-minute walk of essential services, many still choose to drive. Without supportive conditions like higher residential density and safe, appealing infrastructure for pedestrians, people will continue to drive, even when everything they need is a short walk away.
The concept of 15-minute cities has gained international momentum as a way to improve quality of life, reduce emissions, and encourage more active travel. The idea is simple: everyone should be able to reach essential services like grocery stores, healthcare, parks, and schools within a 15-minute walk, bike, or public transit ride from home. But a new study questions whether proximity alone significantly changes travel behavior—further challenging critics’ claims that the concept aims to limit people’s movement or choices.
In this newest research, a survey of 975 residents across three suburban districts north of Tokyo examined travel behavior in what the researchers call “sufficient” 15-minute neighborhoods where grocery stores, health care, and financial services were all located within a 15-minute walk. Participants were asked how long it typically took them to walk to these destinations, how long they’d be willing to walk, and whether they usually traveled by car, bicycle, or on foot. Despite the proximity of key services, over 70% of people in these areas still rely on cars to reach their destinations.
The researchers found that while proximity is important, population density and income play a larger role. Respondents with lower incomes (under 2 million yen per year, which is just under $14,000 USD) were much more likely to walk, suggesting that 15-minute cities can provide access to opportunities for those who need it most.
The researchers conclude:
“To achieve a “carless” 15-minute city, all necessary amenities should be close to residential areas, but it is also important from a policy standpoint to increase population density and implement more comprehensive urban planning strategies.”
Photo credit: Fons Heijnsbroek on Unsplash