Integrating the TOD and 15-minute city concepts in the analysis of rail station areas: a methodological approach for a case study in Palermo (Italy)

Abstract

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) and 15-minute City (15mC) are two planning concepts that, in different ways, have attempted to provide alternative solutions to the car-centered development model characterizing modern cities. The paper presents a methodology that seeks to integrate the TOD and 15mC principles in an analytical perspective, with an application in a rail station area of Palermo, a Southern European city plagued by inefficient public transport and traffic congestion. The study aims to define the socio-economic profile of the area, analyze the state of the built environment including accessibility to services and walkability, and identify areas for urban planning strategies. The paper is divided into five sections, including the work’s theoretical framework, the description of the case study and a methodology section explaining the indicators used for the analysis. In the final part of the paper we present the findings from the analysis and we critically outline the potential of this approach for future investigations.