Many cities today are shaped by the modern legacy of the 20th century, which, however, poses a challenge to quality of life and the implementation of less car-dependent lifestyles. The concept of the 15-minute city can contribute to improving urban quality of life, which can have a positive impact on the experience and functionality of historic urban landscapes.
This dissertation aims to apply the 15-minute city approach to modern neighborhoods within historic urban landscapes, focusing on how the concept of the 15-minute city can be implemented holistically and efficiently. The focus is on two case studies with different urbanization patterns: the Ruhr region in Germany and Istanbul in Turkey. These case studies were deliberately chosen because they allow for a comparison of how influencing factors interact in different spatial, social, and cultural contexts. The methodological framework includes the collection and analysis of spatial, perception-related, and behavior-related data in the selected study areas.
The doctoral program is supervised by Professor Dr. Uta Pottgiesser and Professor Dr. Susanne Kost from the Detmold School of Design, as well as Professor Dr. Anke Fissabre from the Aachen University of Applied Sciences in the Built Environment and Cultural Heritage doctoral program of the Department of Architecture and Culture at the PK NRW.
This dissertation contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting pedestrian-friendly, climate-resilient neighborhoods. In particular, it is in line with SDG 11.4, which focuses on preserving cultural and natural heritage. The results should provide insights into how the concept of the 15-minute city can be integrated into modern layers of historic urban landscapes to improve quality of life while preserving existing values.