We invited the local public to explore the concept of the 20-minute neighbourhood—an urban planning concept promoting accessible communities where key services are within a 20-minute return journey by foot, bike, or mobility aid. Nearly 400 people engaged with us across the two days. 

Research Meets the Public 

The NIHR funded OPTIMA (Orienting Policy Towards Inequality Minimising Actions) project examines inequalities in access to essential services across the UK, and whether these may be related to health inequalities. Using geospatial analysis and clustering (grouping) methods, part of the project seeks to identify neighbourhood types based on local service quantity and diversity, investigating how these relate to health outcomes and demographics. 

Our activity sought to make this research tangible. Visitors mapped their local areas using string, identifying services like healthcare, education, greenspace, and transport. We then introduced a fast-paced Lego design challenge: "You've got five minutes—build your perfect neighbourhood!" 

Participants—especially children—rapidly prototyped their visions. Museums appeared next to parks, wind farms behind apartment blocks, entire ecosystems emerged from the bricks. Parks featured in nearly all neighbourhoods built by children, recognising the importance of green and play spaces in an unexpected way.  

"My neighbourhood's got a dog park!" "Mine has a dinosaur museum!" "There's a waterfall in mine!" “I’ll put some snow here so that anyone from Alaska feels at home!” 

Community Insights 

The events generated rich conversations: 

"There's actually more in my neighbourhood than I realised—it's easy to overlook." 

"I don't mind the 30-minute walk to the train, but that would be a lot harder for some folks." 

Some participants remarked how lucky they were to already have many amenities close to them without always realising it. Third sector spaces emerged as crucial—public libraries, places of worship, and community centres were cited as essential. Closeness to public transport links and green spaces were also recognised as an important feature during the neighbourhood mapping exercise. One participant noted that services closest to people’s everyday needs, such as schools for families with young children, are likely to be seen as priorities for decision-makers. 

However, participants also discussed concerns about disappearing banks or lacking grocery stores in rural areas as well as service cuts. This reflects an awareness of a changing landscape where resources are increasingly digital-only, potentially excluding many residents. 

Looking Forward 

Our clustering analysis of UK neighbourhoods continues, examining how service access patterns relate to health outcomes and other indicators. We're particularly interested in identifying "left behind" neighbourhoods with limited resource access compared to need and understanding how place-based interventions might promote health equity. 

These public engagement moments serve not only to communicate research but to co-create knowledge. The assumptions, values, and visions shared with us ground our data in lived experience. As we continue mapping neighbourhood inequalities, we remain committed to co-producing knowledge with the public—starting from the doorstep. 

The OPTIMA project is investigating neighbourhood access to services across the UK and its relationship to health outcomes. To learn more about our research or get involved, visit https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/optima/ or contact us at Jonathan.Stokes@glasgow.ac.uk 

First published: 11 July 2025

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