Proximity in Urban Evolution: The Significance of the 15-Minute City in European Transition

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Proximity, while retaining an innovative essence, endures as a foundational element in the tapestry of human existence, intricately influencing our evolutionary trajectory. Serving as a guiding principle for human migrations and settlement decisions, the core objective of proximity has perennially revolved around the establishment of human habitation in close proximity to essential resources. As human needs have traversed Maslow's hierarchical structure, particularly in advanced societies, the pursuit of proximity, entwined with imperatives of survival, security, cooperation, and economic considerations, has historically underpinned the rudiments of early urban planning. This historical backdrop has culminated in the intricate and diverse urban landscapes that characterize our contemporary milieu.The ongoing evolution of needs, practices, customs, technologies, and cultures has played a crucial role in shaping the urban fabric. Additionally, significant shifts in human values, dating back to the industrial revolution and the widespread adoption of capitalist policies, have impacted the trajectory of urban development. The relentless pursuit of speed, efficiency (both in transportation and production), and the growth of a hyper-consumerist society have substantially contributed to urban sprawl and increased travel distances. Globalization, the prevalent "car-centric" model, and zoning policies, despite their undeniable advantages, have often led to the separation of facilities, resources, production centers, and demand locations. Today, this unsustainable model, which has played a major role in the exploitation of the environment and all living beings, poses a clear threat to the future of species, notably the human species.Fortunately, specialists have consistently raised the alarm for several decades. However, their warnings are not always heeded or given the attention they deserve. Notably, European culture is evolving, and the aspirations of its citizens are shifting towards common values, especially in the realm of mobility—placing a greater emphasis on sustainability, social responsibility, and well-being, rather than prioritizing speed or efficiency (REBALANCE 2022). Regardless of size, the city assumes a central role in the pressing need to decrease overall consumption and emissions. This emphasizes why experts in both urban practice and research ardently support a compact urban structure, resisting the negative impacts of urban sprawl. The spatial distribution of resources and diverse human activities is now subject to meticulous examination. Our transportation methods are undergoing thorough reevaluation. Consequently, the principle of proximity is being revitalized, reintroduced, and expressed through various nuanced theoretical frameworks, with a special emphasis on the pivotal concept of accessibility (Conesa and L’Hostis 2010), TOD (Calthorpe 1993), spatial ergonomics (Saint-Gérand 2002; Saint-Gérand et al. 2021), access ergonomics (Hached 2019; Hached 2020; Hached and Propeck-Zimmermann 2020), cyclabitlity, walkability (Misery 2013). The concept of the 15-minute city (Moreno et al. 2021), or the quarter-hour city, seems stands out for its successful communication of ideas. Its success is rooted in its ability to unite cities and function as a clear and comprehensible political slogan. However, the core term remains, and has always been, "proximity." Fortunately, there is a current rebalancing in the hierarchy of transportation and mobility, favoring more active and sustainable modes.The resurgence of proximity in urban landscapes demands a thoughtful blend of urban policies, strategic infrastructure development, and interconnected networks. Urban policies, for instance, should reassess resource distribution, advocate for city densification, curb urban sprawl, and reduce dependence on automobiles. Infrastructure initiatives can play a crucial role by supporting the growth of specific modes like public transportation or fostering innovative practices such as shared vehicles. They can also streamline the integration of sustainable modes through the establishment of multimodal hubs and mobility-centric facilities (Hached and L’Hostis 2022). The establishment of sustainable networks, including pedestrian zones, dedicated bike lanes, and 30 km/h zones, not only encourages cleaner transportation modes but also enhances the safety of more vulnerable transport methods, contributing to an overall sense of urban tranquility.Within this context, the ACUTE project delves into the multifaceted concept of proximity, with a specific emphasis on one of the most recent and widely embraced ideas—the 15-minute city. The primary objective is to create a knowledge hub that effectively bridges the gap between research findings and practical application. On one front, the project scrutinizes 15 ENUAC projects to gain deeper insights into the collaboration between European researchers and practitioners. On another front, it orchestrates open European scientific events designed to actively engage practitioners. Despite the ongoing nature of the project, a comprehensive overview has begun to take shape, revealing diverse avenues of research, application, and evaluation, all centered around the fundamental notion of "proximity." Five distinct axes come to the forefront: the first challenges the definitions of proximity and the 15-minute city, the second delves into proximity for specific modes (such as bicycles or shared cars), the third focuses on urban planning through the lens of proximity, the fourth examines inclusivity, and the fifth addresses the evaluation of proximity (ACUTE 2023).What is the role of proximity in current European research? What are the trends? How do practitioners translate theory into practice? How can we ensure that proximity-related objectives are met? All these questions are at the core of our study and the ACUTE project. Mots-clés : ACUTE, proximity, TOD (Transit-Oriented Development), access ergonomics, sustainable mobilityReferencesACUTE (2023) ACUTE UERA Seminars | Zenodo. https://zenodo.org/communities/acute_uera_seminars/search?page=1&size=20. Accessed 18 May 2023Calthorpe P (1993) The next American metropolis: ecology, community, and the American dream. Princeton Architectural Press, New YorkConesa A, L’Hostis A (2010) Définir l’accessibilité intermodale. In: Dans A. Banos & TT (ed) Systèmes de Transport Urbain (Vol. IGAT. Hermès, p 24Hached W (2019) Ergonomie d’accès aux ressources de la vie quotidienne en mobilité douce : application à l’Eurométropole de Strasbourg. Phdthesis, Université de StrasbourgHached W (2020) Accès aux ressources du quotidien en modes doux à l’eurométropole de Strasbourg : une approche basée sur le concept d’ergonomie spatiale. Urbia Hors série 7:17–37Hached W, L’Hostis A (2022) Mobility Hubs, a lever for more sustainable mobility? 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