20-minute neighbourhoods, criticisms, conspiracy theories, and health: a critical discourse analysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: 20-minute neighbourhoods (20MNs) and other proximity-based urban planning models are argued to improve communities, enhance population health, and reduce inequities. However, these links remain unevidenced. Conversely, there are science-driven criticisms that 20MNs could exacerbate health/social inequities requiring evaluation. These models have also resulted in conspiracy theories, believed to be linked to COVID-19 public health measures, which may hinder the implementation and evaluation of 20MNs and any expected health/inequity gains. AIM: The aim of this research is to better understand how public and media perceptions, criticisms, and conspiracy theories about 20MNs have evolved since the pandemic, how these link to health/social inequities, and how these connect to misinformation and disinformation of public health interest. METHODS: A qualitative study design using thematic and critical discourse analysis (CDA). We systematically searched a selection of UK/US online newspapers from across the political spectrum for analysis. The timeframes of interest are the two 4-year periods before and after the pandemic was declared on March 11, 2020, to compare differences in discourse that may have resulted from the pandemic and its response. RESULTS: Coverage of 20MNs increased significantly in the post-pandemic period. Through the analysis, we identified several themes, including restriction of movement/loss of privacy, social engineering, political affiliation, COVID-19 as an accelerator, worsening health/social inequities, classism, and liveability/resiliency. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant political divide in 20MN discourse. 20MNs were linked to other conspiracy theories such as anti-vaccine beliefs and climate change denial. Framing of these interventions may be a contributing factor.
Source: BMC Public Health
Authors: Melissa F. Legge, Elizabeth Inyang, Jonathan Stokes
Institution: University of Glasgow
Language: English
Subfield: Transportation
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,290
OpenAlex ID: W4416504060