Urban Planning Concept or Actualization: Is the 15-Minute City an Ideal or a Practical Reality?
The 15-minute city concept, a revolutionary approach to urban planning, is gaining traction in cities across the globe. This concept, first proposed by Carlos Moreno in Paris, aims to make all necessary amenities accessible within a 15-minute walk, cycle, or public transport journey for residents.
At the heart of this concept is Dominico Baldwin, Urban Designer at the Boyer offices in London. Baldwin, along with many European cities, particularly those in the Netherlands, sees cycling infrastructure as a key component of urban design.
The most notable success of the 15-minute city concept can be seen in Paris, where Moreno has begun to deconstruct the traditional city structure with his plan. The aim is to promote sustainable healthy lifestyles, reduce car use, and foster social inclusion, health, and wellbeing across all ages.
Challenges and Solutions
Implementing the 15-minute city concept in existing urban areas, however, is not without its challenges. Century-old zoning laws favoring private automobiles, urban sprawl causing low density and separation of functions, mobility gaps for older adults and those with disabilities, limited local access to essentials, and resistance to change due to car dependency and habits are all obstacles that need to be addressed.
Reforming zoning to enable mixed-use development and pedestrian zones, encouraging densification and diverse urban functions nearby, designing inclusive infrastructure, co-locating services within neighbourhoods, and promoting policies and incentives for public/shared transport and non-motorized mobility are some of the solutions proposed to overcome these challenges.
The Role of Developers and Councils
The 15-minute city concept shouldn't be seen as a restriction, but a guideline for developers and councils to ensure that everyone has access to required facilities via sustainable transport methods. When new developments occur, required facilities should be implemented to support the additional residents, improving the sustainability of the 15-minute city they live within.
However, the concept could potentially eat heavily into the profit of landowners, potentially leading to fewer developments in the future. The council should support the 15-minute city concept with relevant policies to ensure that developments continue to come forward.
The Success of the 15-Minute City in London
London has seen unprecedented growth in public transport and cycle lanes in the last 20 years, with 90% of Londoners living within 10 minutes of their high street (as of October 2023). Accessible public transport options are essential for disabled people in the 15-minute city concept, with direct routes and a bus stop or train station within close proximity.
In densely populated areas, the success of the 15-minute city concept hinges on the capability of facilities to handle the population within a 15-minute reach. Infrastructure investment, including cycle lanes and public transport routes, is essential for the success of the 15-minute city concept.
Criticisms and Future Prospects
The concept of the 15-minute city is criticized for being coercive and limiting social movements, but providing options for wider connections is key to its success. The 15-minute city concept gained popularity during the 2020 re-election campaign for Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo, and its future prospects look promising as more cities adopt this sustainable approach to urban planning.
- The community advocate for the 15-minute city concept believes that sustainable infrastructure, such as cycling paths, is a crucial aspect of urban design, following the lead of European cities like the Netherlands.
- The aim of the 15-minute city concept, first proposed by Carlos Moreno in Paris, is to promote a lifestyle that prioritizes health, social inclusion, and sustainability for all ages by making all essential amenities accessible within a 15-minute walk, cycle, or public transport journey.
- To overcome challenges in implementing the 15-minute city concept in existing urban areas, proposed solutions include reforming zoning policies for mixed-use development and pedestrian zones, promoting public/shared transport and non-motorized mobility, and designing infrastructure to be inclusive for all demographics.
- In the realm of policy and legislation, councils and developers should view the 15-minute city concept as a guideline to provide access to necessary facilities via sustainable transport methods, particularly in new developments.
- A key indicator of the success of the 15-minute city concept in London is the growth of public transport and cycle lanes over the past 20 years, with 90% of Londoners living within 10 minutes of their high street (as of October 2023).
- Despite criticisms that the 15-minute city concept may limit social movements, its focus on providing options for wider connections and adoption by cities worldwide suggests a promising future for this sustainable approach to urban planning.
