Nationwide equity assessment of the 20-minute neighbourhood in the Scottish context

The Places and Health programme at the University of Glasgow have today published a nationwide equity assessment of the 20-minute neighbourhood policy in Scotland.

The research explored access to 10 health, transport, education, social and recreational domains for all residential locations in Scotland. The research found that one in five residential locations had access to all 10 20MN domains (Urban: 27%, Rural: 5%) and there was variation in proportion of residential locations that has access to at least one facility by domains.

Access to 20MN domains was greatest in areas where individual health status tends to be worse. A policy focusing solely on improving access to key facilities and amenities for deprived areas may be ineffective in reducing health inequalities. Future studies should assess the quality of facilities and co-location with health damaging facilities, particularly within more deprived areas. Alternative policy approaches may be required for improving access to facilities and amenities for rural communities.

The University of Glasgow have also created the Scottish Living Locally Data Portal (SLLDP) for the whole of Scotland. This is an online interactive map that allows you to search for a residential location and see which facilities and amenities are accessibility within a 15, 20 and 30 minute neighbourhood. Data are also provided at datazone and Local Authority level.

Access the full paper (open access): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115502

Access the Scottish Living Locally Data Portal (SLLDP): www.gla.ac.uk/slldp