Exploring an Architectural Paradigm for the 15-minute City Planning Model: Towards Reforming Gaps of Services in Nablus

Abstract

The existing literature on the 15-minute city planning model mainly covers conceptual strategies, responsive urban transformations, and innovative urban development projects at the neighborhood level. However, little attention has been given to the actual architecture of the 15-minute city. This planning model emphasizes the relationship between time and space of services in neighborhoods, which can be used as a scientific method to fill the gaps in services in Nablus neighborhoods. Local feedback on the distribution of services, proximity, and mobility in Nablus neighborhoods has highlighted the need to reimagine the comprehensiveness, density, and accessibility of services. Additionally, the prioritization of services has changed during COVID-19, which emphasizes the importance of architecture that considers flexibility in services. To address these challenges, this paper proposes the use of prefabrication construction technology in the placement of urban service units as a sustainable architectural model to realize the 15-minute city planning model. The paper presents the integration of structural system analysis, environmental considerations, and sterilization criteria into the model and proposes guidelines for the feasibility of this model. The resulting urban service framework of the architectural paradigm responds to the pointed-out needs of the population, and the temporary introduction of the model makes the application of the model responsive to the local shortage of vacant lands.