The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the daily mobility of Warsaw residents in the context of the 15-minute city concept

Keywords: daily mobility, COVID-19, 15-minute city, Warsaw, sustainable urban mobility
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Changes in the characteristics of daily mobility may be of key importance for the creation of post-pandemic cities. In order to diagnose the nature of these changes, a survey was conducted in which the inhabitants of Warsaw showed how the pandemic influenced their spatial behavior in the context of daily mobility and whether the changes caused by the pandemic are only temporary or have a chance to become a new reality for Warsaw.

The survey shows that respondents during the pandemic more often began to walk and cycle, but at the same time use public transport less. What is important, respondents indicated that during a pandemic they move around their neighborhood much more often and get to know it better, which results in the statement that after the pandemic they intend to use services close to their home more often.

The results showing the greater popularity of active mobility and the more frequent use of services close to the place of residence, prove to the city authorities that the implementation of concepts leading to the achievement of the resilient city paradigm, such as "15-minute city", can meet with a positive response from residents. This research was also an inspiration for a PhD project concerning the creation of a method of researching the concept of a 15-minute city, taking into account all its aspects. Thanks to this, the concept will not only be used for marketing purposes, but will become a real help in creating better cities.