Everyday mobility and the 15-Minute City in Sub-Saharan Africa: Insights from Dakar, Senegal

International audience This chapter evaluates the relevance of the 15-Minute City concept in the context of Dakar, Senegal, a West African city where walking is the primary travel mode, followed by public transport (PT). The methodology examines access to essential needs using data from a household travel survey, complemented by interviews with residents. It considers four variants of the 15-Minute City, studying walking trips, plus PT trips, within 15- and 30-minute distances from home.The findings show that the 15-Minute City is a de facto reality for many residents. A significant proportion of daily trips, especially for ordinary and social purposes, fit within the 15-Minute City concept; this applies to a lesser extent to trips for work. Women, unemployed individuals and economically disadvantaged populations often have their mobility circumscribed to the neighbourhood level, even when it is not their preference. The 15-Minute City by default fails to meet all the aspirations of its inhabitants. Individuals with higher mobility can travel further to access better job opportunities, universities, specialized services, or extended family gatherings. The case of Dakar underscores the significant challenges in fostering local activities and improving living conditions in the underserved outskirts of African cities.