Does proximity to public transport matter for planning X-minute cities? Insights from public perceptions

The emphasis on adapting infrastructure and neighborhood design to increase the number of people who walk and bike within self-sufficient neighborhoods has tended to dominate the growing literature on the X-minute city, often underestimating the role of public transport (PT) as a long-standing, sustainable travel mode for reaching destinations beyond the neighborhood. The present study explores how effective proximity to public transport facilities is in planning X-minute cities and neighborhoods, and how it can help achieve the concept's primary objectives: making urban services and basic needs accessible to residents and encouraging slower, more environmentally friendly modes of movement. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), we analyzed the complex relationships between individual backgrounds, perceptions of public transport proximity and service quality, preference for public transport, and actual travel behavior. We found that while proximity to public transport directly influences travel behavior for meeting daily needs, the decision to use specific travel modes in proximity-based cities is significantly affected by individual backgrounds and perceptions—specifically, preference —beyond mere proximity to PT facilities. To maximize the complementary role of public transport in X-minute cities, policymakers, planners, and practitioners are recommended not only to consider proximity to public transport—along with other facilities—within X-minute city strategies, but also to incorporate diverse attitudinal aspects and take appropriate measures when assessing closeness and developing planning standards for such cities. They are also advised to leverage participatory planning processes, awareness campaigns, and community-based programs, as well as to develop incentives for the consumption of local services and the use of public transport, particularly for destinations located outside neighborhood boundaries—for example, by offering discounts and mobility benefits.