Beyond Urban Proximity: The 30-Minute Region as a Framework for Accessibility in Rural Areas

Abstract

The 30-minute region (30mR) builds on proximity-based planning models, most prominently the 15-minute city (15mC), and adapts them to rural areas. It is grounded in the principle of just access to essential services, recognizing that accessibility is not only a matter of spatial distance but linked to mobility justice, social inclusion and territorial cohesion. This paper highlights the following dimensions shaping the 30mR: (a) Proximity frameworks reduce travel times and integrate daily needs for sustainability and resilience. (b) Rural realities introduce distinct spatial, demographic, and socio-economic factors that complicate the application of proximity principles outside cities. (c) Justice-oriented approaches add governance principles such as spatial justice, just transition, and accessibility rights. Based on this foundation, the paper outlines a stepwise analytical approach comprising four stages that translate the normative concept into an evidence-based structure. Taken together, these insights demonstrate that the 30mR offers a holistic approach to rural accessibility, integrating proximity with social, economic, and spatial realities to support just rural development.