Living locally is the new gold standard - Rise of the 20-minute neighbourhood

The Victorian Government’s Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 outlines strategies to live better locally. The plan has a distinct focus on ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’ designed to improve the liveability, health and wellbeing of locals. The concept allows locals to meet most of their daily needs within a 20-minute return walk from home through planned infrastructure, urban amenities and high levels of walkability. 

Why 20 minutes, though? Research shows that 20 minutes (or 800 metres) is the maximum time most people are willing to walk to complete daily errands - including accessing health care, schools and retail - and return home. One prime example is Caydon’s Rise at Moonee Ponds - not only is it at the heart of a vibrant and ultra-connected 20-minute neighbourhood, but it’s also only 10km from the city centre.

Although the central location and access to urban amenities play an important role in creating a 20-minute neighbourhood, it’s not about the essential conveniences. There’s also a need for local cafes and eateries to create a thriving village-like atmosphere. Just down the road from Rise, you will find Darling Street Espresso for delicious speciality coffee or a laid-back brunch. Nearby, there is also an array of vibrant bars, restaurants, organic grocers and artisan retail stores - most of which you can see from home.

While a well-designed 20-minute neighbourhood means there will rarely be a need to leave the area, forward-thinking developers recognise that the need will arise - and when it does, travelling a little further should be equally effortless. 

Having been a supporter of the concept for years, Caydon has improved the standard 20-minute neighbourhood concept with their unique 10|20 model. Caydon’s model takes the original concept a crucial step further by ensuring all their developments - including Rise - sit within established 20-minute neighbourhoods and at most only 10km from Melbourne CBD. This means that in addition to finding all your daily essentials within walking distance, you will also be close to the city centre. So whether you choose to drive or use the extensive public transport network, travelling to and from the city will be quick and easy. 

“Residents of these neighbourhoods often have a strong sense of community and connection to place. People are out and about on the street socialising, supporting local businesses, being involved with local schools and enjoying local parks. It helps all those kinds of things.”

Professor Linda Corkery, UNSW Built Environment 

Studies show that our home and neighbourhood can directly impact our sense of community, health and wellbeing, and following the changes we’ve all experienced in the last couple of years, this is more obvious than ever. “It has come sharply into focus because we’ve had to stay at home and only go outside for ‘essential’ activities… We’re taking more notice of amenities, or lack of, in local neighbourhood environments,” explained UNSW Professor of Built Environment, Linda Corkery to Australian Design Review.

The 20-minute neighbourhood is more than just having amenities and urban conveniences within 800 metres from home. The area also needs to be highly walkable with plenty of open-air green spaces to promote a healthier lifestyle. Boasting an incredible walk score of 75, Moonee Ponds is one of the most walkable suburbs in Melbourne. This means Rise residents are ideally located within walking distance to the local parks and gardens with plenty of options to enjoy the fresh air and reconnect with nature close to home. 

Located on 15 Everage Street, Moonee Ponds - within the Mason Sq. master-planned precinct - Rise ticks all the boxes for a 20-minute neighbourhood with the added advantage of being only 10km from Melbourne CBD. 

The development offers a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a collection of luxurious Skyhomes. Take advantage of the opportunity to inspect fully furnished onsite display apartments and explore the 20-minute neighbourhood. For more information, click here.