Beyond time: A multidimensional framework for assessing accessibility via active transportation

The 15-, 20 or X-minute city concept is widely used in urban planning because of its simplicity in introducing the concept of accessibility. However, focusing solely on travel time thresholds may not truly optimize accessibility. Effective strategies should ensure equitable distribution of opportunities to all residents and improve network infrastructure and transport offer to reduce travel times and costs. Additionally, urban planning must consider the tradeoff between affordable housing and accessibility. In this context, this paper introduces a comprehensive methodological framework for the estimation of the novel Perception-Aware Equitable Accessibility Index (PEAI), a holistic indicator that assesses accessibility from multiple perspectives, and particularizes it for active mobility. PEAI integrates service availability, infrastructure quality, and housing affordability, together with user-centered insights. The later include residents' tolerance for walking/cycling times and dimension-specific weights. An application of the PEAI in Vancouver (Canada) under the assumption of equal dimensional weights showed that, while 99% of the population is located within median tolerable cycling times and 74.5% within acceptable walking thresholds to essential amenities, just 37.9% live in areas that are truly accessible. Overall, the PEAI framework allows the identification of target group–specific areas of low accessibility that traditional time-focused assessments tend to overlook, demonstrating its potential to inform more equitable planning and policy decisions.