Experienced Social Segregation in Fifteen Minute Cities: A Data and Modeling Approach

Abstract The Fifteen Minute City (15MC), as a planning concept, is often praised as a tool that can be used to improved urban quality of life. However, it has received many criticisms regarding how its application may increase or exacerbate existing urban segregation. In this work, our objective is to expand the existing literature on the topic and analyze how travel behaviours, aligned with the 15MC concept, may increase experienced segregation in cities, especially for underprivileged groups. To achieve this, we intend on simulating a population that stays within a 15-minute distance of their neighborhood whenever physically possible. By modeling a travel behaviour that is not necessarily realistic, but instead illustrates the implications of living within a 15MC, we aim to highlight the shortcomings of this concept in addressing income inequality and social segregation in contemporary cities.