The Evolutive Meshed Compact City

Research Project, 2023 – 2026

Purpose and goal
To reduce the risk of 15-minute city policies exacerbating the tensions between central cities and peripheral areas, the project proposes a new model, adapted to conditions in peripheral areas: Evolutive Meshed Compact City (EMC2). EMC2 proposes a pragmatic transition pathway to the 15-minute City for European metropolitan peripheries, along existing main roads. More specifically, the project will produce: a transferable, multi-scale method to assess EMC2 potential in European suburban areas, and guidelines for EMC2 implementation, including examples and obstacles.

Expected results and effects
The 15-minute city aims to improve the quality of life in the cities of the 21st century. However, the transition to a 15-minute city is much more difficult in suburbs and car-dependent outskirts. The EMC2 model proposes developments along existing main roads. By being adapted for pedestrian traffic, these roads are transformed into interconnected, vibrant and inclusive high streets with a wide variety of services and connections to wider mobility options. The idea is that this requires only small improvements to the existing suburban structure.