The Quest for Proximity: A Systematic Review of Computational Approaches towards 15-Minute Cities
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The research “How can computational tools support the proposition of 15-minute cities?” gathers information on tools to support the 15-minute cities concept, presenting a state of the art and bibliographical research, with a systematic scientific literature review.
As indicated in the manuscript, to develop a model requires complex spatial and temporal analysis, the manuscript is more focus on generative and parametric tools to use algorithms to create and test design solutions.
The authors present a broader concept of the 15-minute city (FMC). In this case, I recommend that this concept should be more robust, and it would be a good opportunity for a separate section in the article to identify the authors who contributed to the compact city concept, which gave rise to the 15-minute city concept. From the origins in Cerda’s urbanism, and Rob Krier's studies of typology of public spaces(Rob Krier Urban Space, 1993), as well as the references as Jane Jacobs (The Death and Life of Great American Cities 1961). There are also more recent research as Robson Canuto and Frederico de Holanda, study of the city's compactness indices, and the CIM concept by José Beirão/José Duarte among other references.
Although the focus of the article is more on the tools, the concept section will allow creating a foundation to develop tools in the future that can include (more) complex spatial and temporal criteria. This section should come before the tools section. The City Metrics tools developed by the authors should be explained more in detail, in the tools section.
In the results discussion section, the authors summarize the results. It would be interesting to have a synthetic set of results conclusions, for example 5 synthetic sentences about the results.
Finally, a discussion section could be introduced with less focus on the results, but more on the advantages of these new computational approaches, and what are the biggest current challenges and bottlenecks in this relatively new area of research.
A final review by a native English editor is suggested.
Author Response
REVIEWER #1
Comment #1
The authors present a broader concept of the 15-minute city (FMC). In this case, I recommend that this concept should be more robust, and it would be a good opportunity for a separate section in the article to identify the authors who contributed to the compact city concept, which gave rise to the 15-minute city concept. From the origins in Cerda’s urbanism, and Rob Krier's studies of typology of public spaces (Rob Krier Urban Space, 1993), as well as the references as Jane Jacobs (The Death and Life of Great American Cities 1961). There are also more recent research as Robson Canuto and Frederico de Holanda, study of the city's compactness indices, and the CIM concept by José Beirão/José Duarte among other references.
Response: The authors are grateful to the reviewer for the thoughtful feedback on the submitted manuscript, and we agree that the suggestions will result in a stronger research contribution. We created a new section, entitled “Background,” to specifically address: (1) the concept of a 15-minute city and (2) a review of computational tools for urban design and, ultimately, FMC. All the aforementioned authors are now cited in the manuscript.
Comment #2
Although the focus of the article is more on the tools, the concept section will allow creating a foundation to develop tools in the future that can include (more) complex spatial and temporal criteria. This section should come before the tools section. The City Metrics tools developed by the authors should be explained more in detail, in the tools section.
Response: This comment is addressed in the new section Background/Computational Tools for urban design and Planning: a brief Panorama. In this section, we discreetly increased the description of CityMetrics, as this paper´s goal is not to redescribe it. However, we added several references that will surely clarify its importance. Thank you!
Comment #3
In the results discussion section, the authors summarize the results. It would be interesting to have a synthetic set of results conclusions, for example 5 synthetic sentences about the results.
Response: We appreciate the suggestions given by the reviewer. 5 topics were introduced at the beginning of the "Results" section, detailing the main points found by the review.
Comment #4
Finally, a discussion section could be introduced with less focus on the results, but more on the advantages of these new computational approaches, and what are the biggest current challenges and bottlenecks in this relatively new area of research.
Response: We appreciate the reviewer's suggestion to focus more on the advantages and current challenges of these new computational approaches in the discussion section. We have taken this into account and have introduced three paragraphs in the Discussion section that cover these points. In these paragraphs, we have detailed the transformative potential that these computational methods can bring to 15-minute city design.
Reviewer 2 Report
I do not think that just a descriptive review regarding "15-minute cities"- as it was shown in this manuscript- could help to understand how this approach could be improved in different contexts. More in-depth analysis of the selected articles is required in this respect. For instance, the comparisons between what built environmental factors were involved in different tools used in the selected articles to calculate “15-minute cities” could enhance our knowledge in this respect. Or understanding what theoretical approaches were used in the articles that used theories with respect to “15-minute cities”, could enhance our knowledge regarding the intervention of the urban/transport theories with this concept. Finally, please show the reviewed articles through a Table based on the given classification.
I think this manuscript could be valuable with the abovementioned considerations. Thus, I give the respected authors the chance of revising this manuscript fundamentally based on these comments.
Author Response
REVIEWER #2
Comment #1
I do not think that just a descriptive review regarding "15-minute cities"- as it was shown in this manuscript- could help to understand how this approach could be improved in different contexts. More in-depth analysis of the selected articles is required in this respect. For instance, the comparisons between what built environmental factors were involved in different tools used in the selected articles to calculate “15-minute cities” could enhance our knowledge in this respect. Or understanding what theoretical approaches were used in the articles that used theories with respect to “15-minute cities”, could enhance our knowledge regarding the intervention of the urban/transport theories with this concept. Finally, please show the reviewed articles through a Table based on the given classification.
Response: The authors are grateful to the reviewer for the thoughtful feedback on the submitted manuscript, and we agree that the suggestions will result in a stronger research contribution. We introduced a paragraph in the Discussions section dealing with spatial conditions related to FMC. We also changed the article numbers in the table to match the numbering of the article references.
Reviewer 3 Report
The study addresses the topical issue of the 15-minute city conception, which has become intensely discussed, especially due to pandemic movement restrictions. Text is well written and provides an interesting perspective on the issue for potential discussions among experts in the field. However, I would like to make some remarks:
(row 31-33) “The car-oriented legacy of organizing cities has resulted in significant issues, such as air pollution, traffic congestion, reduced accessibility to amenities, sedentary lifestyles, longer commute times, and fragmentation of communities.” …. It should be mentioned that urban spaces designed in this way also generate the problem of increasing crime rates and discomfort for residents who feel threatened by excessive traffic (potential traffic violations). It should be pointed out that the attribute of accessibility cannot be abstracted from other attributes of the urban environment that have a direct impact on the perceived quality of life. Already at the stage of planning the construction or redevelopment of public spaces according to the principles of 15-minute accessibility, due attention should be paid to the design of its elements so as to limit or make as difficult as possible the perpetration of various socially pathological phenomena that are the cause of their negative perception by the residents. That is to say, if some spaces are perceived as unsafe, they implicitly encourage the use of cars (which provide a sense of safety inside and reduce the time of personal interaction directly in unsafe public places), even for short distances. Ref. Matlovičová, K., Mocák, P., Kolesárová, J., 2016. Environment of estates and crime prevention through urban environment formation and modification, Geographica Pannonica, 20(3), pp. 168–180. or Matlovičová, K., Mocák, P., 2014. Intra-urban crime and crime prevention in the conceptual framework of CPTED (example of the city of Prešov). Geograficky Casopis, 66(3), pp. 199–223
Another important attribute that should be mentioned is the acceptance of space and a car-free way of life. When planning the implementation of changes and the adoption of sustainable lifestyles, it is necessary to start from a deeper socio-demographic analysis of the resident mix, which will allow to set up processes for the gradual acceptance of 15-minute metros in specific communities. (ref. Pachura, P., Nitkiewicz, T., Matlovičová, K., Matlovič, R., 2018. Identification of Intellectual Capital Performance Using Data Envelopment Analysis, Advances in Spatial Science, pp. 115–130)
In conclusion, it is a quality study based on a well-developed and original methodology for obtaining and processing relevant data. The paper has a logical structure, relies on relevant sources and provides an interesting perspective on the undoubtedly widely discussed problem the creating an urban environment in a sustainable way, which at the same time contributes to improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.
However, the above comments in no way diminish the quality of the study. It is balanced in content, uses correct methods and I definitely recommend it for publication after minor changes.
------
This is a quality study that deals with a very topical issue. It is well-balanced in content, uses correct methods and I definitely recommend it for publication after minor changes.
Author Response
REVIEWER #3
Comment #1
The study addresses the topical issue of the 15-minute city conception, which has become intensely discussed, especially due to pandemic movement restrictions. Text is well written and provides an interesting perspective on the issue for potential discussions among experts in the field. However, I would like to make some remarks:
(row 31-33) “The car-oriented legacy of organizing cities has resulted in significant issues, such as air pollution, traffic congestion, reduced accessibility to amenities, sedentary lifestyles, longer commute times, and fragmentation of communities.” …. It should be mentioned that urban spaces designed in this way also generate the problem of increasing crime rates and discomfort for residents who feel threatened by excessive traffic (potential traffic violations). It should be pointed out that the attribute of accessibility cannot be abstracted from other attributes of the urban environment that have a direct impact on the perceived quality of life. Already at the stage of planning the construction or redevelopment of public spaces according to the principles of 15-minute accessibility, due attention should be paid to the design of its elements so as to limit or make as difficult as possible the perpetration of various socially pathological phenomena that are the cause of their negative perception by the residents. That is to say, if some spaces are perceived as unsafe, they implicitly encourage the use of cars (which provide a sense of safety inside and reduce the time of personal interaction directly in unsafe public places), even for short distances. Ref. Matlovičová, K., Mocák, P., Kolesárová, J., 2016. Environment of estates and crime prevention through urban environment formation and modification, Geographica Pannonica, 20(3), pp. 168–180. or , K., Mocák, P., 2014. Intra-urban crime and crime prevention in the conceptual framework of CPTED (example of the city of Prešov). Geograficky Casopis, 66(3), pp. 199–223
Another important attribute that should be mentioned is the acceptance of space and a car-free way of life. When planning the implementation of changes and the adoption of sustainable lifestyles, it is necessary to start from a deeper socio-demographic analysis of the resident mix, which will allow to set up processes for the gradual acceptance of 15-minute metros in specific communities. (ref. Pachura, P., Nitkiewicz, T., Matlovičová, K., Matlovič, R., 2018. Identification of Intellectual Capital Performance Using Data Envelopment Analysis, Advances in Spatial Science, pp. 115–130)
In conclusion, it is a quality study based on a well-developed and original methodology for obtaining and processing relevant data. The paper has a logical structure, relies on relevant sources and provides an interesting perspective on the undoubtedly widely discussed problem the creating an urban environment in a sustainable way, which at the same time contributes to improving the quality of life of its inhabitants.
However, the above comments in no way diminish the quality of the study. It is balanced in content, uses correct methods and I definitely recommend it for publication after minor changes.
Response: The authors are grateful to the reviewer for the thoughtful feedback on the submitted manuscript, and we agree that the suggestions will result in a stronger research contribution. All the pointed reflections were incorporated into the text (mainly in the introduction and the background), and the suggested articles were used to reinforce our arguments, being part of the article references now.
Reviewer 4 Report
The 15-minute cities (FMC) concept is a hot topic currently and a review paper on this is timely and much needed. The authors have adopted a PRISMA methodology in literature screening with relevance to FMC covering recent papers from the year 2017 onwards. A bibliometric analysis of FMC-related studies was provided. Unfortunately, the current paper does not provide much in-depth review of FMC and the computational approach as suggested in the manuscript title. More specific comments are included in the attached document.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Overall readability is OK. Minor revision is needed.
Author Response
REVIEWER #4
Comment #1
The 15-minute cities (FMC) concept is a hot topic currently and a review paper on this is timely and much needed. The authors have adopted a PRISMA methodology in literature screening with relevance to FMC covering recent papers from the year 2017 onwards. A bibliometric analysis of FMC-related studies was provided. Unfortunately, the current paper does not provide much in-depth review of FMC and the computational approach as suggested in the manuscript title. More specific comments are included in the attached document.
Response: The authors are grateful to the reviewer for the thoughtful feedback on the submitted manuscript, and we agree that the suggestions will result in a stronger research contribution. All the pointed reflections were incorporated into the text. We responded to all requests in the attached .pdf.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
The fundamental revisions were required in order to respond well to my previous comments. However, the respected authors tried to respond partially to these comments. Due to the valuable content of this article and considering the metrics of the journal, I accept this article in its current form.
Reviewer 4 Report
A study was conducted to review the 15-minute cities (FMC) concept globally. The research into this topic is timely and much needed. This paper has summarized findings from a total of 77 resources (as of April 2023). Major concerns in the first round review are addressed adequately. I have no further comments. Thank you.
