15 minutes neighborhoods—let us not externalize traffic safety issues
The 15 minutes neighborhood concept is simple: to allow access to the urban life experience (essential facilities and services) within a quarter of an hour from home, by walking or cycling. We first present the accessibility model developed to operationalize this as part of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan of Brussels. We then discuss potential unsafety risks: border effects, conflicts between micro-mobility and through traffic, negative spill-over effects from ‘quality heavens’ to surrounding neighborhoods, long term gentrification effects in the neighborhood… As with all models used for design and management of public space, human-centered does not necessarily mean safe for all.
About the speaker
Professor Thérèse Steenberghen is an associate professor at the Division of Geography and Tourism, KU Leuven, Belgium. In 2022 she co-founded the KU Leuven Institute for Mobility, an interdisciplinary institute bringing different interests together so that transport innovations not only benefit ‘the man in the street’ but enhances the quality of life for everyone. In her research, she aims to help society be more proactive, and beyond today’s challenges, anticipate future needs of changing mobility.
