Modelling the Infrastructure and Accessibility Implications of Implementing the 20-Minute Neighbourhood Policy in Established Areas: A Case Study of Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

Addressing priorities such as health, liveability, and climate resilience, many global governments are exploring x-minute neighbourhood policies. In Melbourne, Australia, 20-minute neighbourhood (20MN) policy focuses on walkable access to daily destinations within 10 minutes (20 minute round trip). Addressing a lack of operational models for 20MNs, we developed a model to assess accessibility and utilisation implications of their implementation, based focusing on people living within 10-minute walking distance ‘catchments’ of mixed-use activity centres. We curated a list of 14 destination types (such as supermarkets and primary schools), and developed a method to optimise notional placement of additional destinations to place at least 80% of people in each catchment within a 10-minute walk of each destination type. We extended accessibility considerations to cycling, based on a 10-minute one-way ride. Our results show improvements in accessibility across Greater Melbourne as a whole, particularly in inner urban areas; but with significant improvements in outer urban areas, characterised by low housing density, when cycling is promoted. Our utilisation analysis demonstrates feasibility challenges when implementing 20MNs in less densely populated locations. Our conclusions illustrate challenges in implementing 20MN strategies and underscore the importance of supporting them with safe cycling infrastructure and careful urban densification strategies.

Keywords: x-minute neighbourhood, destination accessibility, destination utilisation, local living, dwelling density, active transport