Alba Ramírez-Saiz

Este estudio analiza el potencial de la planificación urbana basada en la proximidad para promover entornos saludables e inclusivos. Se presenta una experiencia aplicada en la Comunidad de Madrid (junio-diciembre 2024), donde se evaluó la herramienta “Flor de la Proximidad Accesible” con un grupo multidisciplinar de 72 personas. La metodología de Ciencia Ciudadana permitió integrar enfoques cualitativos y cuantitativos que combinaron formación accesible, mapeo participativo y cuestionarios comparativos. Los resultados identifican servicios urbanos esenciales y demandas específicas según tipo de discapacidad, que derivan en recomendaciones para incorporar principios de planificación inclusiva en los modelos de planificación de proximidad, contribuyendo a reducir desigualdades y mejorar el bienestar y la salud de las personas que habitan la ciudad.

Proximity-oriented urban models, such as the 15-min city, have been promoted to create sustainable, human-centered urban environments that support wellbeing. However, proximity alone does not guarantee accessibility, particularly for persons with disabilities. This paper explores how persons with disabilities experience and navigate Madrid (Spain) and Munich (Germany) under the proximity-oriented policies prism. Drawing on 114 semi-structured interviews (65 in Madrid, 49 in Munich), the study explores how urban form, design features, and environmental conditions shape access, movement, and engagement in public space. Findings reveal that key barriers, such as irregular paving and sidewalk obstructions, limit independence and comfort, while contextual factors such as climate, topography, and local cultural practices further modulate accessibility. Despite proximity, many participants remain reliant on cars instead of public transport due to these micro-scale barriers. By integrating proximity planning, inclusive urban experiences and universal design, this study highlights the need to move from “proximity as distance” to “proximity as accessible experience”, arguing that accessibility must be embedded as a structuring condition of proximity planning. Ultimately, these findings contribute to ongoing debates on sustainable built environments and human wellbeing, highlighting the importance of architectural and urban design in fostering equitable, healthy, and inclusive cities.

As urban environments pose significant challenges to people of all ages and abilities, ensuring equal accessibility is essential for achieving social inclusion in cities. Authors claim that universal design, initially developed to assist people with disabilities, can also benefit older adults. Despite common assumptions, there is limited evidence to support this claim. This study examines whether the urban mobility needs of people with disabilities (physical, sensory, and cognitive) align with those of older adults, both with regular physiological ageing or age-related diseases. Using an integrative review methodology, this study synthesized 56 references on urban mobility measures and 121 references on the specific urban requirements and mobility profiles for both groups and subgroups. The findings reveal significant overlaps in the mobility requirements of people with disabilities and older adults, particularly regarding inclusive features such as barrier-free crossings, intermediate seating, noise reduction, and improved wayfinding. These measures benefit both groups, with universal design strategies supporting the mobility of people with disabilities while also addressing the needs of the ageing population, which is rapidly increasing. The findings offer valuable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and designers to create inclusive, accessible, and high-quality urban spaces that support people of all ages and abilities.

Este estudio analiza las políticas relacionadas con la ciudad de proximidad en Barcelona, Castelló de la Plana, Pontevedra, Valladolid y Vitoria-Gasteiz, para identificar cómo han incorporado este principio en sus planes, estrategias y acciones y comprender los valores y limitaciones de cada tipo de plan (Agenda Urbana Española, AUE; Plan General de Ordenación Urbana, PGOU; Planes de Movilidad Urbana Sostenible, PMUS; etc.). Tras el análisis estructurado de los documentos aprobados, destacan varios elementos de gran potencial: el uso de una nueva unidad espacial, la “superilla”, de fuerza comunicativa comparable a la de la ciudad de 15 minutos, y además nuevo ámbito para concentrar las actuaciones urbanísticas en la ciudad consolidada; la existencia de una gran cantidad de acciones en los cuatro ejes de la proximidad (accesibilidad, uso del suelo, espacio público y participación); y el potencial de la AUE como herramienta de planificación integrada urbanismo-movilidad

As an active mode of transportation, walking has proven to be an effective strategy to tackle environmental problems while improving health. The current paper highlights the main factors that either encourage or deter pedestrians in their daily trips by analyzing the arisen discussions in three different Focus Groups (FGs), which were later synthesized into factors ranking according to their positive or negative outcomes. The results help identify these factors and show how a variety of target groups (seniors, young adults, middle-aged adults, divided by male and female perspective) perceive the city in different ways: younger adults prioritize accessibility and quality of the infrastructure, females highlighted the insecurity suffered during nighttime trips, and older adults emphasized the relevance of street maintenance. Finally, the benefits of walking on physical and mental health are viewed positively amongst all target groups, considering walking as a means to help people reduce stress.

Understanding the characteristics that shape mobility could help to achieve more sustainable transport systems. A considerable body of scientific studies tries to determine these characteristics at the urban level. However, there is a lack of studies analyzing those factors for the heterogeneous zones existing in the suburbs of big cities. The study presented in this paper intends to fill this gap, in the context of two metropolitan corridors in the Madrid Region. Correlation analyses are used to examine how mobility patterns are affected by socioeconomic and urban form variables. Then, a cluster analysis is carried out to classify the types of zones we may find in the suburbs. Results show that the main characteristics leading towards higher car use are low urban density, few local activities, a high percentage of children, and a low percentage of seniors. As for the variable distance to the city center, it does not explain car use. Moreover, some remote areas have many walking trips. This is well understood in the cluster analysis; there are zones far away from the city center but that are dense and well provided for, which work as self-sufficient urban centers. Results reinforce the theories underlying polycentrism as a solution to the urban sprawl challenge.

Although many studies are currently examining the city of proximity as a way to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly cities, few consider it meaningful to achieve an “inclusive” mobility model for people of all ages and abilities, including people with disabilities, children, or the elderly. This literature review paper focuses on the extent to which the city of proximity can provide inclusive mobility and reduce inequalities in the urban scene, thus achieving social sustainability. Out of the 256 references analysed under an integrative review methodology, only 10 delivered solid results. One of the main contributions of this paper is an indicator and sub-indicator system to improve the integrative methodology in urban studies, which led to the identification of several incoherencies in proximity models in terms of accessibility and design for all risking fostering urban with these policies. Although the mentioning of vulnerable collectives may mean a rise in inclusion awareness, one of the most relevant outputs of this paper is the lack of specific measures to revert the disadvantageous situations that conventional mobility planning delivers, as well as the neglection to use proximity actions to promote inclusive and socially resilient urban cities.

La mayor parte del territorio de la Comunidad de Madrid está cubierto por una extensiva red ferroviaria que permite a miles de personas viajar en tren en su día a día. Sin embargo, algunos colectivos que presentan discapacidades, ya sean permanentes o temporales, pueden encontrar diferentes obstáculos que limitan su acceso a la estación o a los propios trenes que circulan por ellas. A través del estudio de la información disponible en formato de mapas esquemáticos, los cuales son la fuente principal para que los viajeros conozcan de antemano si una estación es accesible o no, se ha estudiado el número de estaciones accesibles, y como éste ha evolucionado desde 2009 a 2020. El análisis ha arrojado luz sobre el grado de inclusividad – completamente accesible, ajustes parciales, y si los vagones que llegaban eran accesibles – que la red madrileña de tren proporcionaba en el periodo anteriormente mencionado. Como resultado, tanto el análisis de los mapas como la recolección de datos cualitativos muestran que, aunque la cantidad de estaciones accesibles aumentó durante el periodo estudiado, las variaciones irregulares de éstas pueden ser reflejo de las modificaciones en las regulaciones públicas. Así, Madrid puede servir de ejemplo para el estudio de la accesibilidad en la red de trenes para así determinar las consecuencias de la dispersión en la accesibilidad urbana, y como ello pueden entorpecer el pleno acceso a cualquier parte de la ciudad para todas las personas.

ResumenEl presente estudio pretende evaluar desde una perspectiva crítica el nivel de inclusión de las personas con discapacidad en los nuevos modelos de ciudad de proximidad, como es la ciudad de los 15 minutos de París. Se han establecido tres fases de análisis: recopilación de criterios basados en la revisión bibliográfica para posteriormente evaluar el modelo de Ciudad de 15 minutos de París; distribución de una encuesta, comparando las preferencias reveladas y las preferencias declaradas; y síntesis de ambos a través de entrevistas semi-estructuradas para estudiar in-situ los obstáculos urbanos que impiden la correcta interacción de las personas con discapacidad y la ciudad. Uno de los resultados más relevantes es la importancia del transporte público tiene en la ciudad de proximidad, descubriéndose como una pieza esencial para conseguir la movilidad inclusiva en los modelos de ciudad actuales.AbstractThis study pretends to evaluate the level of inclusiveness of people with disability in new city of proximity models, as it is the case of the 15-minute city of Paris, from a critical perspective. Three stages have been established for the analysis: criteria compilation based on the state of the art to evaluate the 15-minute City model of Paris afterwards; distribution of a survey, comparing revealed preferences and declared preferences; and synthesis of both in the form of semi-structured interviews where in-place cases of urban obstacles will be studied, as far as impediments for proper interaction between people with disabilities and the city is concerned. One of the most relevant results is the importance of public transport in the city of proximity, turning into an essential part to achieve inclusive mobility in today’s city models.