The 15-minute city in Porto, Portugal: accessibility for the elderly

Guerreiro, Maria; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Sucena, Sara; Pereira, Madalena Sofia Araujo; Silva, Isabel; Ferreira, Diogo; Silva Moreira, Rui

http://hdl.handle.net/10284/14741

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Authors

Guerreiro, Maria

Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta

Sucena, Sara

Pereira, Madalena Sofia Araujo

Silva, Isabel

Ferreira, Diogo

Silva Moreira, Rui

Abstract(s)

The concept of the 15-Minute City aims to enhance urban accessibility by ensuring that essential services are within a short walking distance. This study evaluates the accessibility of Porto, Portugal, particularly for the elderly, by assessing urban density, permeability, and walkability, with a specific focus on crossings and ramps. A five-step methodology was employed, including spatial analysis using QGIS and Place Syntax Tool, proximity assessments, and an in-situ survey of crossings and ramps in the CHP. The results indicate that while the city of Porto offers a dense and walkable urban environment, significant accessibility challenges remain due to inadequate ramp distribution. The data collection identified 80 crossings, of which only 60 were listed in OpenStreetMap, highlighting data inconsistencies. Additionally, 18 crossings lacked curb ramps, posing mobility barriers for elderly residents. These findings highlight the need of infrastructure improvements to support inclusive urban mobility. The study also proposes an automated method to enhance ramp data collection for broader applications. Addressing these gaps is crucial for achieving the equity and sustainability goals of the 15-Minute City model, ensuring that aging populations can navigate urban spaces safely and efficiently.

Description

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Keywords

15-Minute City Crossings and Curb ramps Porto Historic Center (CHP) Elderly mobility and urban accessibility OpenStreetMap GIS spatial analysis

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10284/14741

Citation

Guerreiro, M. S., Dinis, M. A. P., Sucena, S., Silva, I., Pereira, M., Ferreira, D., & Moreira, R. S. (2026). The 15-minute city in Porto, Portugal: accessibility for the elderly [Full Length Article]. Cities, 170, 1-10, Article 106655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cities.2025.106655