The concept of the “15-minute city” has been gaining momentum as cities seek to create more sustainable, accessible, and resilient urban environments. This approach envisions an urban design where essential services—such as work, education, healthcare, and recreation—are located within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from residents’ homes. For urban planners, engineers, and policy-makers, the 15-minute city model offers a transformative solution to some of today’s most pressing urban challenges, ranging from reducing traffic congestion and emissions to enhancing public health and quality of life. However, bringing this vision to life is not without its challenges, and it requires a nuanced blend of spatial planning, engineering innovation, and advanced analytics.

At Predictim Globe, we work alongside partners and local authorities to address these challenges using operations research (OR) and prescriptive analytics, providing data-driven insights and actionable recommendations to make the 15-minute city a reality.

15-minute city

Key Challenges in Designing the 15-Minute City

In developing the 15-minute city, cities face a range of challenges across urban planning, engineering, environmental, and social dimensions. Each challenge represents a distinct problem area that, when thoughtfully addressed, can lead to substantial improvements in the quality of urban life.

Machine learning (ML) plays a critical role in tackling these complex, data-rich challenges. ML models analyze vast datasets from various sources, generate predictive insights, and support the optimization of urban layouts and services. These advanced capabilities enable the creation of sustainable, accessible, and resilient urban spaces tailored to the needs of residents.

The following sections delve into key problem areas affecting the development of the 15-minute city and highlight how they shape the path toward more livable urban environments.

Urban Engineering and Infrastructure Optimization

  • Impact: This approach ensures that infrastructure developments are not only based on past data but also adaptive to changing urban conditions, making cities safer, more efficient, and better suited for active transport.

Spatial Design and Mixed-Use Land Allocation

Spatial Design and Mixed-Use Land Allocation

Environmental Sustainability and Green Space Planning

Accessibility and Social Equity

Sustainable Mobility and Transportation

Community Engagement and Behavioral Change

Community Engagement and Behavioral Change

How Predictim Globe Supports the Development of 15-Minute Cities

Predictim Globe provides specialized expertise in tackling the complex challenges of creating sustainable, accessible urban environments within the 15-minute city model. Leveraging advanced prescriptive analytics and machine learning, we equip urban planners, policy-makers, and local authorities with data-driven insights and actionable recommendations tailored to urban infrastructure, mobility, environmental sustainability, and social equity. Our solutions focus on optimizing spatial design, predicting and adjusting traffic and pedestrian flows, and enhancing accessibility across diverse neighborhoods. By partnering with cities and organizations, Predictim Globe develops targeted strategies that address emerging urban issues—ranging from transportation and land use to green space allocation and equitable access—ensuring that city planning decisions are grounded in robust, scalable, and adaptive models.