A Complex Networks Approach to Evaluate the 15-Minute City Paradigm and Urban Segregation at Different Scales

This paper proposes to exploit complex network analysis to evaluate service accessibility within urban environments in accordance with the 15-minute city paradigm. Our approach introduces an analytical pipeline that includes the quantification of urban segregation and allows for detailed comparisons between different cities and distinct urban areas. The 15-minute city concept emphasizes the importance of having fundamental services and amenities accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, aiming to enhance urban livability and sustainability. By modeling cities as complex networks, we analyze various metrics to capture the intricate relationships and accessibility patterns within urban spaces. Our methodology assesses the connectivity and distribution of PoIs, the transportation networks, and the residential areas, providing insights into urban density and diversity. Furthermore, we suggest to use Closeness centrality as a metric to quantify urban segregation, also highlighting how disparities in access to essential services can be easily interpretable by means of other socioeconomic inequalities. The methodology is showcased on two case studies, i.e., the Italian cities of Milan and Turin.