Study finds Irish cities well suited for ‘15-minute city’ concept

DUBLIN: An international architecture, design, and urban planning practice organisation named ‘Hassell’ released a report titled ‘Close to Home’ exploring 15-minute urban living in Ireland and beyond. The research was commissioned by Irish Institutional Property (IIP), which represents institutionally financed investors with significant international backing in the Irish real estate market. The report found Irish cities to have unique potential to embrace the ‘15-minute city’ concept, which can increase liveability and put urban centres on a sustainable footing.

The ‘15-min city’ is a residential urban concept in which all city residents have access to most of their needs within a short walk or bicycle ride from where they live. The concept complements the current policy of the Irish government that advocates increased compact urban development. However, the report stated that more informed public understanding of the positive of compact growth is necessary to build and sustain public support for this concept.

The study included a poll of more than 1000 Irish residents. It found that 25% of the respondents liked the idea of having access to every essential type of amenity within a 15-minute walk from home, and only 10% of the respondents said that they had the facility at present. 59% of the poll respondents said that walkability makes a neighbourhood desirable as a place to live and work. Public transport connections, grocery shops, and destinations for leisure activities were found to be regarded most amongst the important amenities to have in close proximity. Assessment of the poll answers found younger people to be more supportive of contact urbanism than older age groups.

The study stated how the challenges for the decision makers will be to deal with the upfront cost and cultural barriers to creating compact and amenity-rich neighbourhoods. Moreover, the transition will have to be led by the public sector to ensure equity of access to nearby amenities.

Pat Farrell, Chief Executive, IIP, said that local development plans have incorporated the national goal of compact growth, and there is enough of land to develop. However, with significantly greater building costs for higher density developments compared to lower density developments and a negative public perception of compactness, the goal has yet to be realized, he added.