20-Minute Neighbourhoods in Scotland

Overview

Next steps in development and implementation of 20-minute neighbourhoods following the research for ClimateXChange on behalf of the Scottish Government published in March 2021.

20-minute neighbourhoods are places that are designed so residents can meet their day-to-day needs within a 20 minute walk of their home; through access to safe walking and cycling routes, or by public transport. But can they ever be a reality in Scotland?

A recent baseline study of communities across the country by the sustainable society consultants Ramboll for ClimateXChange – Scotland’s centre of expertise connecting climate change research and policy –  suggests many have the required services and infrastructure to allow them to be 20 minute neighbourhoods. The potential for ‘improvement’ is greatest in some of our most deprived and disconnected places, but it will take a concerted effort across a range of national and local policies and delivery methods to achieve this.

By defining this concept in detail for Scotland, baselining neighbourhoods across the country, and learning from international and local case studies; the research put forward a set of ambitions and recommendations for implementing this concept across Scotland.

Six months on - how is Scotland doing? What is happening in our towns, cities and rural areas and what can we do to ensure equitable delivery across the country?