Minsk Ranks 16th Among the World's Most Walkable Cities

The capital of Belarus has received high recognition in the international ranking of pedestrian accessibility, ranking 16th among the most walkable cities in the world. This remarkable achievement confirms that Minsk offers its residents and guests a comfortable urban environment oriented towards pedestrians.

Research and Its Methodology

The prestigious British publication The Economist conducted a large-scale study, the results of which were visualized by the Visual Capitalist project. Experts evaluated cities based on two main criteria:

1. The average time spent by residents traveling to key urban infrastructure facilities
2. The percentage of the population living within a 15-minute walking distance of key facilities

Such facilities include schools, hospitals, shops, restaurants, and other institutions necessary for a comfortable life. According to the data obtained, the average walking time to these facilities in Minsk is only 8 minutes and 36 seconds, which is an excellent indicator on a global scale.

European Cities — Leaders of the Ranking

The study included cities with a population of over 500,000 from around the world. Notably, European cities dominate the ranking—they occupy 45 of the top 50 positions. This is explained by the historically developed planning of many European cities, which were established long before the advent of automobiles and are therefore characterized by compactness, dense development, and well-thought-out infrastructure. The top three leaders were:

• Milan (Italy) — 6 minutes 24 seconds
• Copenhagen (Denmark) — 6 minutes 36 seconds
• Turin (Italy) — 7 minutes 6 seconds

Dublin, Lyon, Munich, Paris, Marseille, Genoa, and Edinburgh also made it into the top ten.

Minsk — The Only Representative of Belarus in the Ranking

The capital of Belarus secured the 16th position in the global ranking, outperforming such well-known cities as Berlin, Vienna, and Barcelona. Among the cities of Belarus’ neighboring countries, only Saint Petersburg made it into the top 20, ranking 13th. Minsk’s high ranking demonstrates smart urban planning and a well-designed transport infrastructure, making the Belarusian capital not only beautiful but also extremely livable.

Non-European Cities in the Ranking

Notably, cities outside Europe showed much more modest results. The best non-European city was Kyoto, Japan, which ranked only 28th. Other Asian cities were ranked as follows:

• Taipei (Taiwan) — 35th place
• Kathmandu (Nepal) — 45th place
• Taichung (Taiwan) — 49th place
• Tokyo (Japan) — 50th place

As for North America, not a single city from this continent managed to make it even into the top fifty of the ranking. Among North American cities, the highest position was held by Vancouver, Canada, which ranked only 53rd. This clearly demonstrates the difference in urban planning approaches between Europe and North America, where the urban environment is often predominantly geared towards automobile transportation.

Why This Matters for Minsk and Its Residents

A high position in the pedestrian accessibility ranking has not only reputational significance. A comfortable environment for walking helps to improve environmental conditions, reduce transport congestion, and, most importantly, enhance the quality of life for residents. Minsk demonstrates that even a large city with a population of over 2 million can be organized in such a way that its residents have quick and convenient access to essential infrastructure. This is especially important in modern conditions, when increasing attention is being paid to the "15-minute city" concept—a model in which all everyday needs are met within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home. Minsk's inclusion in the list of the world's best cities for walking once again confirms the success of the Belarusian capital in creating a comfortable urban space, primarily focused on the needs of people.