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20-minute neighbourhoods: A community perspective from the streets of Scotland
Journal of Urban Regeneration and Renewal,
16
(3),
277-286
(2023)
Abstract
The Scottish government has made the 20-minute neighbourhoods approach a priority. They are an important part of the nation’s plans for regeneration and its response to the climate crisis. Drawing on the model developed by Plan Melbourne, this paper discusses the application of the 20-minute neighbourhood concept in the established neighbourhoods of North Lanarkshire, Stirling and Dunblane from a community perspective. Based on the findings of a year-long project by Living Streets Scotland, it reminds planners and urbanists interested in creating low-traffic, 15- or 20-minute neighbourhoods or cities that listening to community viewpoints, in particular the voices of women, children, older and disabled people, is essential to their successful implementation. There is no ‘one size fits all’. Walking is literally a street-by-street issue. Every pavement, every crossing, every route — including longer journeys that cannot be walked or cycled — must be joined up for any of it to be accessible.
Keywords: Scotland; Melbourne; 20-minute neighbourhoods; walking; communities
The full article is available to subscribers to the journal.
Author's Biography
Stephen Edwards is Chief Executive of Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking. Stephen joined the charity in 2018, bringing a wealth of public affairs experience, having spent 18 years advising charities, companies and trade associations on their public relations and communications strategies. Alongside his work at Living Streets, Stephen has experience as Chair of Governors in a North London primary school and has been a trustee of several small charities.
Rachel Lee joined Living Streets in 2012. She represents the organisation externally in coalitions, expert groups and in the media on a wide range of issues, from air quality, active travel, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and health to planning and road safety.
Kate Joester joined Living Streets in 2018, initially in the Communities team delivering the 20-minute neighbourhood project. She now works with statutory and third sector partners to improve rates of walking and quality of public space in Scotland, with a particular focus on access and equalities.
Anne Docherty joined Living Streets in 2018, initially in the Communities team, and is now one of the Project Managers for Scotland, supporting community development projects (including the 20-minute neighbourhood project) alongside WOW, the walk to school programme.
