M. Akhavan
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1
Reimagining Proximity
Operationalising the X-Minute City and Urban Regeneration in Amsterdam and Milan
The study explores the concept of the X-Minute City, an evolution of the 15-min city paradigm, as an operational tool for sustainable urban regeneration in Europe. Starting from the goal of ensuring daily accessibility to key services within 5–20 min on foot or by bicycle, the research analyses how this proximity model can respond to contemporary environmental, social, and infrastructural challenges. Through a comparative approach between Amsterdam and Milan, chosen for their regulatory and cultural differences, the study combines documentary analysis, urban policy evaluation, and the construction of a grid of multidimensional indicators relating to proximity, sustainable mobility, spatial reuse, and social inclusion. In conceptual terms, the X-Minute City is understood here as a flexible and governance-oriented extension of the 15-min city, in which proximity is treated as an adaptive temporal band (5–20 min) and as an infrastructure of multilevel urban governance rather than a fixed and universal design rule. The findings highlight that in the Netherlands, the model is supported by a coherent and integrated regulatory framework, while in Italy, innovative local experiments and bottom-up participatory practices prevail. The analysis demonstrates that integrating the X-Minute City with multilevel governance tools and inclusive policies can foster more equitable, resilient, and sustainable cities. Finally, the research proposes an adaptable and replicable framework, capable of transforming the X-Minute City from a theoretical vision to an operational infrastructure for 21st-century European urban planning. The limitations of this predominantly qualitative, document-based approach are discussed, together with future directions for integrating spatial accessibility modelling and participatory methods.
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The study explores the concept of the X-Minute City, an evolution of the 15-min city paradigm, as an operational tool for sustainable urban regeneration in Europe. Starting from the goal of ensuring daily accessibility to key services within 5–20 min on foot or by bicycle, the research analyses how this proximity model can respond to contemporary environmental, social, and infrastructural challenges. Through a comparative approach between Amsterdam and Milan, chosen for their regulatory and cultural differences, the study combines documentary analysis, urban policy evaluation, and the construction of a grid of multidimensional indicators relating to proximity, sustainable mobility, spatial reuse, and social inclusion. In conceptual terms, the X-Minute City is understood here as a flexible and governance-oriented extension of the 15-min city, in which proximity is treated as an adaptive temporal band (5–20 min) and as an infrastructure of multilevel urban governance rather than a fixed and universal design rule. The findings highlight that in the Netherlands, the model is supported by a coherent and integrated regulatory framework, while in Italy, innovative local experiments and bottom-up participatory practices prevail. The analysis demonstrates that integrating the X-Minute City with multilevel governance tools and inclusive policies can foster more equitable, resilient, and sustainable cities. Finally, the research proposes an adaptable and replicable framework, capable of transforming the X-Minute City from a theoretical vision to an operational infrastructure for 21st-century European urban planning. The limitations of this predominantly qualitative, document-based approach are discussed, together with future directions for integrating spatial accessibility modelling and participatory methods.
Decarbonising Maritime Transport
The Role of Green Shipping Corridors in Making Sustainable Port‐City Ecosystems
Maritime transport plays a crucial role in global trade and tourism, yet it significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, posing environmental challenges that demand urgent solutions. This article explores the innovative concept of maritime green shipping corridors, an emerging strategy aimed at decarbonising the shipping industry. By analysing the origins of green corridors from urban and transportation perspectives, the article outlines their evolution towards multimodal, zero‐emission shipping solutions. It highlights the role of international frameworks, such as the International Maritime Organization Clydebank Declaration, in facilitating the transition to green shipping routes and the proliferation of zero‐carbon fuels. The article also assesses the integration of renewable energy technologies, alternative fuels, and electrification in port operations, as well as the broader spatial and economic impacts on port‐city ecosystems. With the potential to enhance urban sustainability, promote green logistics, and drive global decarbonisation efforts, maritime green shipping corridors represent a crucial framework for future research and policy development. However, the article highlights the need for further studies to evaluate the socio‐economic and environmental impacts on local communities and regional planning.
...
Maritime transport plays a crucial role in global trade and tourism, yet it significantly contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, posing environmental challenges that demand urgent solutions. This article explores the innovative concept of maritime green shipping corridors, an emerging strategy aimed at decarbonising the shipping industry. By analysing the origins of green corridors from urban and transportation perspectives, the article outlines their evolution towards multimodal, zero‐emission shipping solutions. It highlights the role of international frameworks, such as the International Maritime Organization Clydebank Declaration, in facilitating the transition to green shipping routes and the proliferation of zero‐carbon fuels. The article also assesses the integration of renewable energy technologies, alternative fuels, and electrification in port operations, as well as the broader spatial and economic impacts on port‐city ecosystems. With the potential to enhance urban sustainability, promote green logistics, and drive global decarbonisation efforts, maritime green shipping corridors represent a crucial framework for future research and policy development. However, the article highlights the need for further studies to evaluate the socio‐economic and environmental impacts on local communities and regional planning.
Overtourism and gentrification in the eastern Mediterranean coastal cities
The need for a sustainable and integrated approach in World Heritage sites
The eastern Mediterranean coastal cities, especially World Heritage sites such as Venice, Dubrovnik and Kotor, have faced unprecedented tourism growth over the past decades. This chapter addresses the challenges of overtourism and gentrification in these cities, emphasising the need for sustainable and integrated urban planning. It highlights the impact of rapid tourism expansion, including cruise tourism, on local communities, urban infrastructures and cultural heritage. The analysis is based on case studies from these three coastal cities, evaluating their management plans and the effectiveness of their tourism strategies. The findings reveal that, despite the economic benefits of increased tourism, the negative consequences on the environment, local residents and cultural sites call for more coordinated policies and community engagement. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to urban planning, particularly involving local stakeholders, is essential for mitigating the risks posed by overtourism and promoting a more sustainable tourism industry.
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The eastern Mediterranean coastal cities, especially World Heritage sites such as Venice, Dubrovnik and Kotor, have faced unprecedented tourism growth over the past decades. This chapter addresses the challenges of overtourism and gentrification in these cities, emphasising the need for sustainable and integrated urban planning. It highlights the impact of rapid tourism expansion, including cruise tourism, on local communities, urban infrastructures and cultural heritage. The analysis is based on case studies from these three coastal cities, evaluating their management plans and the effectiveness of their tourism strategies. The findings reveal that, despite the economic benefits of increased tourism, the negative consequences on the environment, local residents and cultural sites call for more coordinated policies and community engagement. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to urban planning, particularly involving local stakeholders, is essential for mitigating the risks posed by overtourism and promoting a more sustainable tourism industry.
Jeroen van Schaick, Francisco Colombo, Peter Witsen, Shaping Holland
Regional Design and Planning in the Southern Randstad
The rapid urbanisation, globalisation trends, and the new urban economy of the 1960s, accompanied by the more contemporary challenges such as climate change, environmental issues, digitalisation, the energy transition, and the circular economy, have forced today’s society to respond and act immediately and adapt our living and working environments accordingly. This necessitates adopting innovative planning tools, tailored policies, and strategies at the local, regional, and national scales. Since the turn of the millennium, there has been a notable shift towards prioritising strategic planning schemes, departing from the conventional focus on large-scale projects for urban renewal and landscape transformation. [...]
...
The rapid urbanisation, globalisation trends, and the new urban economy of the 1960s, accompanied by the more contemporary challenges such as climate change, environmental issues, digitalisation, the energy transition, and the circular economy, have forced today’s society to respond and act immediately and adapt our living and working environments accordingly. This necessitates adopting innovative planning tools, tailored policies, and strategies at the local, regional, and national scales. Since the turn of the millennium, there has been a notable shift towards prioritising strategic planning schemes, departing from the conventional focus on large-scale projects for urban renewal and landscape transformation. [...]
Global Maritime Flows and Local Implications
Conceptualising a Worldwide Taxonomy and Glossary of Port‐City‐Regions
Abstract: The dynamic interplay between global maritime flows and the spatial, economic, and social development of port‐city‐regions lies at the heart of this thematic issue. As globalisation accelerates, the relationships between ports, cities, and their surrounding regions become increasingly complex, requiring innovative conceptual frameworks, methodologies, and interdisciplinary collaborations to address both challenges and opportunities. Flows of goods and people shape infrastructural networks and create nodes of logistics and administration in and around nearby cities. They establish specific networks that primarily facilitate transport. Multiple approaches and definitions exist to describe and map these unique spaces. This thematic issue of Ocean and Society aims to advance our understanding of these phenomena by exploring a range of terminologies, typologies, spatial transformations, and examples of sustainable practices across diverse geographic contexts.
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Abstract: The dynamic interplay between global maritime flows and the spatial, economic, and social development of port‐city‐regions lies at the heart of this thematic issue. As globalisation accelerates, the relationships between ports, cities, and their surrounding regions become increasingly complex, requiring innovative conceptual frameworks, methodologies, and interdisciplinary collaborations to address both challenges and opportunities. Flows of goods and people shape infrastructural networks and create nodes of logistics and administration in and around nearby cities. They establish specific networks that primarily facilitate transport. Multiple approaches and definitions exist to describe and map these unique spaces. This thematic issue of Ocean and Society aims to advance our understanding of these phenomena by exploring a range of terminologies, typologies, spatial transformations, and examples of sustainable practices across diverse geographic contexts.
‘Go Green’
Conceptualising a Worldwide Glossary and Taxonomy on Maritime Green Corridors
Maritime (or ocean) transport is the backbone of international trade and the global supply chain but also plays a crucial role in the tourism industry. Shipping and ports are also essential elements of the Blue Economy and play a vital function in maintaining blue growth across all sectors of the economy. Compared to bulk transportation, shipping is relatively energy efficient in terms of CO2 emissions. Yet, maritime shipping, both for commodity and passenger flow, raises concerns about human health and environmental issues. Greenhouse gas (GHS) emissions from the maritime sector are significant: about 2.8% of global GHG emissions (Morante, 2022), which may rise to 17% by 2050. It is widely accepted that the shipping industry has five main environmental impacts: (i) air pollution, (ii) Noise pollution, (iii) Vessel discharges, (iv) Congestion (port and the port hinterland), and (v) Marine ecosystem (Jägerbrand et al., 2019). Several studies have pointed out the greening of ports and maritime logistics, highlighting the necessity for sustainable initiatives to decrease the environmental footprint of port operations (Davarzani et al., 2016; Parhamfar, 2023). Within the outlined framework, this short paper intends to make an overview of the ‘Maritime Green Corridors’ (MGCs) concept, launched officially in 2021, tracing the origins from environmental, transportation and planning studies, and discuss the potential impact on land and the sea. The aim is to understand the state-of-the-art studies and map a global glossary and taxonomy of the relatively new phenomenon of the MGCs, which can be used as a conceptual framework for future research lines in urban and regional studies. […]
...
Maritime (or ocean) transport is the backbone of international trade and the global supply chain but also plays a crucial role in the tourism industry. Shipping and ports are also essential elements of the Blue Economy and play a vital function in maintaining blue growth across all sectors of the economy. Compared to bulk transportation, shipping is relatively energy efficient in terms of CO2 emissions. Yet, maritime shipping, both for commodity and passenger flow, raises concerns about human health and environmental issues. Greenhouse gas (GHS) emissions from the maritime sector are significant: about 2.8% of global GHG emissions (Morante, 2022), which may rise to 17% by 2050. It is widely accepted that the shipping industry has five main environmental impacts: (i) air pollution, (ii) Noise pollution, (iii) Vessel discharges, (iv) Congestion (port and the port hinterland), and (v) Marine ecosystem (Jägerbrand et al., 2019). Several studies have pointed out the greening of ports and maritime logistics, highlighting the necessity for sustainable initiatives to decrease the environmental footprint of port operations (Davarzani et al., 2016; Parhamfar, 2023). Within the outlined framework, this short paper intends to make an overview of the ‘Maritime Green Corridors’ (MGCs) concept, launched officially in 2021, tracing the origins from environmental, transportation and planning studies, and discuss the potential impact on land and the sea. The aim is to understand the state-of-the-art studies and map a global glossary and taxonomy of the relatively new phenomenon of the MGCs, which can be used as a conceptual framework for future research lines in urban and regional studies. […]
Navigating Equality
Empowering Women in the Maritime Industry of Northern Europe
Historically, the maritime industry has been male dominated. Apart from the stark
disparities in numbers, traditionally, men were given more recognition and power to take
part in the maritime labor market. However, in modern society, particularly since the 1990s,
there has been growing attention to the valuable role that women can play in various
transportation industries, particularly the maritime sector, training and recruiting female
seafarers (Belcher et al. 2003). [...] ...
disparities in numbers, traditionally, men were given more recognition and power to take
part in the maritime labor market. However, in modern society, particularly since the 1990s,
there has been growing attention to the valuable role that women can play in various
transportation industries, particularly the maritime sector, training and recruiting female
seafarers (Belcher et al. 2003). [...] ...
Historically, the maritime industry has been male dominated. Apart from the stark
disparities in numbers, traditionally, men were given more recognition and power to take
part in the maritime labor market. However, in modern society, particularly since the 1990s,
there has been growing attention to the valuable role that women can play in various
transportation industries, particularly the maritime sector, training and recruiting female
seafarers (Belcher et al. 2003). [...]
disparities in numbers, traditionally, men were given more recognition and power to take
part in the maritime labor market. However, in modern society, particularly since the 1990s,
there has been growing attention to the valuable role that women can play in various
transportation industries, particularly the maritime sector, training and recruiting female
seafarers (Belcher et al. 2003). [...]
Concluding Remarks
European Narratives About the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Coworking
This book is a collection of narrations about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic from different countries collected within the Workgroup 2ATLAS of the COST action CA18214 ‘The Geography of New Working Spaces and the Impact on the Periphery’. This conclusive chapter comprehends the previous chapters and offers a comparative view regarding the effects on Coworking Spaces (CS), Governmental Measurements to curb the Pandemic, Effects on Work, Remote/Telework Work, Working-From-Home (WFH), Effects on Commuting, Transportation Mods and Services, Effects on the Housing, Place of Residence, Office and Real Estate Market, Effects on Tourism, Effects on Urban Planning. The final section of this chapter draws attention to the direct and indirect effects of coworking spaces. Direct effects on individuals and indirect effects as living-, work- and build-environment, taking into account space and economy, environment (energy) and urban planning. This book contributes to a fast-growing amount of literature on new working spaces, especially coworking spaces. Further empirical studies should be conducted to create evidence as a solid foundation for policies at the EU, national and subnational levels.
...
This book is a collection of narrations about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic from different countries collected within the Workgroup 2ATLAS of the COST action CA18214 ‘The Geography of New Working Spaces and the Impact on the Periphery’. This conclusive chapter comprehends the previous chapters and offers a comparative view regarding the effects on Coworking Spaces (CS), Governmental Measurements to curb the Pandemic, Effects on Work, Remote/Telework Work, Working-From-Home (WFH), Effects on Commuting, Transportation Mods and Services, Effects on the Housing, Place of Residence, Office and Real Estate Market, Effects on Tourism, Effects on Urban Planning. The final section of this chapter draws attention to the direct and indirect effects of coworking spaces. Direct effects on individuals and indirect effects as living-, work- and build-environment, taking into account space and economy, environment (energy) and urban planning. This book contributes to a fast-growing amount of literature on new working spaces, especially coworking spaces. Further empirical studies should be conducted to create evidence as a solid foundation for policies at the EU, national and subnational levels.
The current chapter introduces in detail the aims and structure of the book ‘European Narratives on Remote Working and Coworking during the COVID-19 Pandemic’. This introductory chapter depicts the importance of studying the phenomenon of coworking spaces (CSs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature on new working spaces, particularly CSs, is growing fast in various disciplines. During the past three years of the pandemic, some scholars have attempted to explore the short- and long-term effects on ways and spaces of working. This book is the first attempt to collect country-specific empirical studies from 12 European countries.
...
The current chapter introduces in detail the aims and structure of the book ‘European Narratives on Remote Working and Coworking during the COVID-19 Pandemic’. This introductory chapter depicts the importance of studying the phenomenon of coworking spaces (CSs) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature on new working spaces, particularly CSs, is growing fast in various disciplines. During the past three years of the pandemic, some scholars have attempted to explore the short- and long-term effects on ways and spaces of working. This book is the first attempt to collect country-specific empirical studies from 12 European countries.
Marking a New Chapter in the History of our City
Newspaper Narratives of Proposed Waterfront Star Architecture
A recurrent claim associated with the development of star architecture buildings along new urban waterfronts is that star architecture’s capacity to garner media exposure can support a port city’s efforts to communicate narratives that support the process of urban transformation. However, despite the centrality of the role of the media, little evidence exists about the input of the media particularly in the inception phases of such projects where much of the legitimatization and conviction efforts by key actors takes place. This paper shows how newspaper narratives about star architecture proposed along the waterfront of a port city communicate transformation proposals, building on and propagating a sense of maritime belonging and culture. The case study presented is the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. The findings are based on the content analysis of 420 newspaper articles, drawn from the LexisNexis database. The findings indicate that newspapers communicated the sense-making value of the Elbphilharmonie and introduced notions of identity, citizen identification and hanseatic particularity into the discourse. The newspapers played an important role in explaining the Elbphilharmonie as a symbol of the city’s commitment to the port, the maritime context and the Elbe River. Since narratives are constructed discursively, newspapers are a feasible site to investigate the ambitions of port cities as they invest in star architecture along their waterfronts.
...
A recurrent claim associated with the development of star architecture buildings along new urban waterfronts is that star architecture’s capacity to garner media exposure can support a port city’s efforts to communicate narratives that support the process of urban transformation. However, despite the centrality of the role of the media, little evidence exists about the input of the media particularly in the inception phases of such projects where much of the legitimatization and conviction efforts by key actors takes place. This paper shows how newspaper narratives about star architecture proposed along the waterfront of a port city communicate transformation proposals, building on and propagating a sense of maritime belonging and culture. The case study presented is the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany. The findings are based on the content analysis of 420 newspaper articles, drawn from the LexisNexis database. The findings indicate that newspapers communicated the sense-making value of the Elbphilharmonie and introduced notions of identity, citizen identification and hanseatic particularity into the discourse. The newspapers played an important role in explaining the Elbphilharmonie as a symbol of the city’s commitment to the port, the maritime context and the Elbe River. Since narratives are constructed discursively, newspapers are a feasible site to investigate the ambitions of port cities as they invest in star architecture along their waterfronts.
Journal article
(2021)
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Mina Akhavan, Ilaria Mariotti, Federica Rossi
Coworking space is predominantly an urban phenomenon. Nevertheless, in the last few years, peripheral and rural areas are becoming attractive for this typology of new working spaces, but the literature on this topic is scant. The current paper aims to fill this gap by reviewing the studies on this issue and discussing the renewed role of coworking spaces in peripheral and rural areas during the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on Italy. Moreover, a detailed and updated picture of the increasing number of coworking spaces in 2018-2020 in the Italian Inner Areas and rural areas is provided. Finally, some case studies of peripheral and rural coworking spaces are presented, followed by conclusions and further research.
...
Coworking space is predominantly an urban phenomenon. Nevertheless, in the last few years, peripheral and rural areas are becoming attractive for this typology of new working spaces, but the literature on this topic is scant. The current paper aims to fill this gap by reviewing the studies on this issue and discussing the renewed role of coworking spaces in peripheral and rural areas during the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on Italy. Moreover, a detailed and updated picture of the increasing number of coworking spaces in 2018-2020 in the Italian Inner Areas and rural areas is provided. Finally, some case studies of peripheral and rural coworking spaces are presented, followed by conclusions and further research.
Journal article
(2019)
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M. Akhavan, Ilaria Mariotti, Lisa Astolfi, Annapaola Canevari
The late 2000s witnessed a wide diffusion of innovative workplaces, named coworking spaces, designed to host creative people and entrepreneurs: the coworkers. Sharing the same space may provide a collaborative community to those kinds of workers who otherwise would not enjoy the relational component associated with a traditional corporate office. Coworking spaces can bring several benefits to freelancers and independent workers, such as knowledge transfer, informal exchange, cooperation, and forms of horizontal interaction with others, as well as business opportunities. Moreover, additional effects may concern the urban context: from community building, with the subsequent creation of social streets, and the improvement of the surrounding public space, to a wider urban revitalization, both from an economic and spatial point of view. These “indirect” effects are neglected by the literature, which mainly focuses on the positive impact on the workers’ performance. The present paper aimed to fill the gap in the literature by exploring the effects of coworking spaces in Italy on the local context, devoting particular attention to the relation with social streets. To reach this goal, the answers (236) to an on-line questionnaire addressed to coworkers were analysed. The results showed that three quarters of the coworkers reported a positive impact of coworking on the urban and local context, where 10 out of 100 coworking spaces developed and/or participated in social streets located in Italian cities, but also in the suburban and peripheral areas.
...
The late 2000s witnessed a wide diffusion of innovative workplaces, named coworking spaces, designed to host creative people and entrepreneurs: the coworkers. Sharing the same space may provide a collaborative community to those kinds of workers who otherwise would not enjoy the relational component associated with a traditional corporate office. Coworking spaces can bring several benefits to freelancers and independent workers, such as knowledge transfer, informal exchange, cooperation, and forms of horizontal interaction with others, as well as business opportunities. Moreover, additional effects may concern the urban context: from community building, with the subsequent creation of social streets, and the improvement of the surrounding public space, to a wider urban revitalization, both from an economic and spatial point of view. These “indirect” effects are neglected by the literature, which mainly focuses on the positive impact on the workers’ performance. The present paper aimed to fill the gap in the literature by exploring the effects of coworking spaces in Italy on the local context, devoting particular attention to the relation with social streets. To reach this goal, the answers (236) to an on-line questionnaire addressed to coworkers were analysed. The results showed that three quarters of the coworkers reported a positive impact of coworking on the urban and local context, where 10 out of 100 coworking spaces developed and/or participated in social streets located in Italian cities, but also in the suburban and peripheral areas.