Comparative analysis of 15-Minute neighborhoods through different cumulative-based accessibility measures

The concept of “15 min cities” has gained attention as a model for sustainable urban development, emphasizing access to essential services within a short timeframe through active transportation modes. This study provides multiple approaches to measure accessibility and assess urban area development using the 15 min city criteria. Focusing on District 6 of Tehran, Iran, the research utilizes three computational methods—Euclidean distance, network distance, and temporal distance—to define the boundaries of 15 min zones and evaluate the distribution and diversity of essential service destinations within these areas. Furthermore, it primarily compares the accuracy and applicability of the three methods, highlighting the strengths of each in identifying ideal and non-ideal neighborhoods. Through processing and analysis of spatial data, the findings indicate that 64% of the studied neighborhoods meet ideal conditions, providing access to 11 types of essential facilities within a 15 min radius. The study identifies inequalities in access to specific amenities such as sports facilities, green spaces, and public transportation across different neighborhoods. The results demonstrate a high correlation between Euclidean and temporal distance methods, indicating the potential for simpler approaches in specific scenarios. Overall, this study presents a standardized modeling framework for evaluating urban areas based on the 15 min city criteria and provides insights for policymakers and urban planners in implementing strategies for sustainable access and optimizing essential destination distribution.