Reconceptualizing Proximity Measurement Approaches through the Urban Discourse on the X-Minute City

Abstract

The “x-minute city” concept gained attention within the global urban discourse on post-pandemic cities. Recently, numerous cities have shifted their attention from considering the x-minute city merely as a theoretical concept to one with practical applicability, rediscovering the proximity dimension to be integrated into urban policies and plans. Consequently, a requirement emerged to develop comprehensive approaches for monitoring and assessing this proximity. In this perspective, this article seeks to answer two main questions: What are approaches utilized in the literature to measure proximity within the context of “x-minute cities”? How could these measurement models accurately reflect real-world scenarios? The aim is to identify the models and variables required for measuring proximity within the framework of x-minute cities. A review of 38 peer-reviewed articles following the PRISMA statement was performed by searching the Web of Science database for publications from 2020 to 2023. Our results clarified the essential components of the measurement models and presented recommendations for more comprehensive assessments. The findings highlight the variable deficiencies that affect proximity measurement approaches. The recommendations hold the potential to enhance measurement models, contributing to the development of urban communities that are more accessible and interconnected.