Ever heard of the 20 minute neighbourhood? It’s the idea that we can get to every required destination in 20 minutes.
This fresh, awesome idea is reshaping our way of life and changing the game in Australia’s real estate. We’re seeing a cool shift towards blending work, play, and living in our neighbourhoods.
If you’re intrigued by the idea and want to find out where you can live in a 20 minute neighbourhood, we’ve rounded up all the cities that are working on this concept.
What is a 20 Minute Neighbourhood?
Imagine living where you can walk, bike, or catch a quick bus to get to shops, schools, or work in just 20 minutes. That’s what this is all about – making life easier and more local.
The Cool Side of Local Living
It’s all about getting back to our roots, where communities are buzzing, and everything you need is just around the corner. This isn’t just good for our social lives; it’s great for the planet too.
This concept isn’t just a fleeting trend; it’s reshaping how we view our communities and our place within them. Post-COVID life is all about convenience and awesome living, and these neighbourhoods are at the heart of it.
The Key Components of a Successful 20 Minute Neighbourhood
- Accessibility: Proximity to essential services and amenities.
- Diversity: A mix of housing, businesses, and recreational spaces.
- Sustainability: Design that promotes walking, cycling, and public transport use.
- Community Engagement: Spaces that encourage social interaction and community activities.
Australian Cities Leading the Way
While the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods is gaining traction across Australia, it’s not a straightforward question of which cities definitively “have” them. The implementation is often ongoing and varies in degrees of completeness based on specific areas within cities.
Victoria is Leading the Change
The Victorian Government’s Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 strongly emphasises 20-minute neighbourhoods as a guiding principle for urban development. This includes cities like Melbourne, Geelong, and Ballarat.
It is all about making the city a great place to live for its future 9 million residents.
Places like Strathmore and Sunshine West in Victoria are already testing this out, trying to create neighbourhoods where you can walk to everything.
The Victorian government, recognising the growth and evolving needs of the state, is actively working to create neighbourhoods that are safe, accessible, and supportive of local living. This approach is seen as vital in ensuring the long-term sustainability and liveability of urban areas.
Other Australian Cities Testing the 20-Minute Neighbourhood
Brisbane
The Queensland government supports the concept, and some suburbs like Woolloongabba and New Farm exhibit characteristics of 20-minute neighbourhoods.
Perth
The Western Australian government also recognizes the value of 20-minute neighbourhoods, and areas like Kings Park and Elizabeth Quay are examples.
Adelaide
South Australia is exploring the concept, with suburbs like Bowden and Glenelg showing potential.
Challenges in Developing 20 Minute Neighbourhoods
Urban Planning Hurdles
Turning our regular suburbs into those cool 20-minute neighbourhoods comes with its fair share of challenges. Especially in less crowded areas, making places where you can walk to work or the store isn’t always easy since everything’s spread out.
Mixing It Up for Better Communities
For suburbs on the outskirts, we need to shake things up a bit. We’re talking about adding more variety – homes, shops, jobs – closer together. This mix, or what the pros call ‘density plus diversity,’ is all about bringing life and services closer to where people live.
For further insights into the diversity aspect, explore “What is the most multicultural suburb in Australia?”
Boosting Public Transport
We also need to up our public transport game. Good buses, trains, and trams are super important for connecting folks to places they can’t walk to, especially in the bigger suburbs.
How 20-Minute Neighbourhoods Will Impact the Property Market
Property Values Will Rise
As these 20-minute neighbourhoods get more popular (because who doesn’t love convenience?), the value of homes in these areas starts to climb. This is pretty noticeable in cities like Melbourne and Sydney, where some suburbs are already a good fit for this lifestyle.
For a deeper understanding of the challenges millennials face in the housing market, explore “Why is it harder for millennials to buy homes now?“
Governments Will Need to Manage Affordability
With this popularity, though, comes the big question of affordability. As prices go up, it could get tougher for families and young pros to move in. That’s why it’s important to have homes that suit all sorts of budgets in these neighbourhoods.
Suggested reading: Curious about the average living standards in Australia? See where you stand in Soho’s article.
FAQs on ’20 Minute Neighbourhood’
What are 20 Minute Neighbourhoods?
A: 20-minute neighbourhoods are designed to allow residents to meet most of their daily needs within a 20-minute return walk from home, encompassing access to safe cycling and local transport options.
What is the 20 Minute Neighborhood in Melbourne?
A: In Melbourne, the 20-minute neighbourhood concept is part of Plan Melbourne 2017–2050. It focuses on enabling people to live locally by providing access to necessary amenities within a 20-minute return walk from their homes.
What is the 20 Minute Neighbourhood Criteria?
A: The criteria for a 20-minute neighbourhood include the ability for residents to access most daily needs within a 20-minute return walk from home, with safe cycling and local transport options available.
Why is Adelaide Called the 20-Minute City?
A: Adelaide is nicknamed the 20-minute city because it’s relatively small, allowing residents and visitors to reach any point in the city within a 20-minute journey, making it one of the most accessible cities for navigation.
