Analyzing equity in transport planning using the 15-minute city approach. A case study of Oslo city, Norway

As urbanization accelerates, achieving sustainable and equitable accessibility has become a central objective in transport planning. This research investigates transportation equity through the lens of the 15-minute city concept, emphasizing proximity-based accessibility to social functions as a criterion. Despite the growing adoption of this concept, empirical analyses integrating both active mobility and public transport accessibility remain limited. Furthermore, previous studies have neglected the correlation between socioeconomic characteristics and neighborhood accessibility, an essential factor in understanding transport equity. This study uses Oslo as a case study to address these gaps by analyzing transport-related equity. A GIS-based spatial analysis was conducted to evaluate accessibility to social functions via active mobility, supplemented by an assessment of public transport station accessibility across Oslo’s neighborhoods. Additionally, regression analysis was employed to examine the correlation between socioeconomic characteristics and accessibility patterns. The findings indicate significant spatial inequities, with central neighborhoods tending to have higher accessibility levels than peripheral areas. Furthermore, the results suggest that socioeconomic disparities, including population density, gender ratio, and age distribution, are correlated with accessibility levels, highlighting the relevance of more inclusive urban mobility strategies. By integrating GIS-based accessibility assessment and regression analysis, this study advances methodological approaches to transport equity research. Unlike previous studies focusing on active mobility, this research incorporates active and public transport accessibility, enabling a comprehensive equity evaluation through vertical and distributional dimensions. The insights generated provide valuable guidance for urban planners and policymakers seeking to mitigate transport inequities and foster more sustainable and inclusive urban mobility systems.