‘15-Minute City’ in Turkey: A Framework for Sustainable Urban Planning and Governance in Mid-Sized Turkish Cities

Abstract

This paper examines the feasibility of applying the 15-minute city model in Turkey’s mid-sized cities, where compact form and walkability offer an existing foundation for proximity-based planning. Despite this potential, rising car use, fragmented governance, and weak coordination between land use and transport planning constrain progress. Emphasizing the principles of proximity, diversity, density, and ubiquity, the study highlights the need for integrated transport systems, pedestrian-friendly design, and mixed-use development to improve daily life quality. Using tools like the Next Proximity Index (NEXI) and drawing from international experiences and localized urban contexts, the authors call for participatory governance and adaptive reforms. The study concludes that meaningful implementation of the 15-minute city in Turkey depends on restructured planning and governance frameworks responsive to local needs, spatial equity, and the evolving dynamics of urban mobility and accessibility.