Evaluating Urban Accessibility within the 20-Minute City Framework Using GIS: The Case of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia Azzaya Byambajav, Altankhishig Dugerjav and Sainbuyan Bayarsaikhan
School of Natural Sciences, School of Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Abstract
In the modern age, urban planning is increasingly required to address a range of complex issues, such as improving residents, quality of life, enhancing accessibility, promoting environmental sustainability, and reducing dependence on private vehicles. This research evaluates the walkability and accessibility within a 20-minute walking radius in selected areas of Ulaanbaatar, focusing on how easily residents can reach essential daily services such as healthcare, educational institutions, retail outlets, and green spaces. To assess service accessibility, density, and distribution, a heatmap was generated using QGIS, based on the geolocations of service units and institutional facilities across Ulaanbaatar is residential zones. This spatial visualization offers a more accurate representation of how services are distributed throughout the city. Furthermore, time-based catchment areas were analyzed using the Service Area Analysis tool in ArcGIS Pro to evaluate service accessibility within the 20-minute walking threshold. The results indicate a highly centralized concentration of services in the city center, whereas peripheral districts demonstrate significantly limited access to essential services within walking distance. This study enables the geographic identification of both well-served and underserved areas in Ulaanbaatar in terms of walkable access to key services, providing valuable insights for promoting more equitable and sustainable urban development.
Keywords: GIS, Urban Accessibility, 20-Minute City, Service Area Analysis, Ulaanbaatar, Sustainable Urban Planning
