Although 15-minute cities have been implemented in certain urban landscapes in the past, they have recently taken centre stage in discourse in urban planning, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic on a global scale. These 15-minute cities not only influence the infrastructure, transit systems and communities but are also profoundly interconnected to the economic development of an area. This paradigm shift in what ‘sustainability’ means in an urban context has had cascading implications for the corresponding socio-economic states.
15-Minute Cities: What Are They?
A city in which any necessary amenities are within a 15-minute walk/ bike ride’s reach is essentially considered a 15-minute city. The objective of this type of urban planning is to improve the living standards of the residents and contribute to an infrastructure that is based on pedestrianisation rather than long-distance transit. Coined and popularised by urbanist, Professor Carlos Moreno, this model brings us back to a slower, sustainable and more livable model of living, freeing up travel time, reducing carbon footprints and honing community relations.
Feasibility in the Current Era
Urban design acts as a quiet but heavily influential factor on which the socio-economic situation of a city depends, this opens interesting dialogues on the feasibility of 15-minute cities in this current landscape. A commonly implemented city layout of dense and thriving centralised economic hotspots surrounded by sprawling suburbs and outskirts with stagnant economies often contributes to congestion, social inequity, and transit-based infrastructure. Although reimagining cities in the current landscape requires substantial investment, strategic urban planning, socio-economic considerations, and advancements in technology can make it a reality. The pandemic lockdown brought about new insights into quality of life, livability, and accessibility, increasing the appeal of urban planning concepts like 15-minute cities. Cities such as Copenhagen, Paris and Melbourne have already begun experimenting with implementing these concepts with a mixed reception among residents.
Pedestrianisation: Pedestrianisation initiatives such as converting streets into vehicle-free zones and prioritising foot traffic, as seen in the streets of Paris, can help mitigate traffic and contribute to the local economy. Walkability demands efforts to be poured into urban design and strategic planning to ensure safety, sustainability, and public health.
Infrastructure: Investments in public transportation, healthcare and educational facilities along with public recreational spaces are essential to connect these neighbourhoods as well as ensure their feasibility. In this era of digital and technological interconnectedness, it is easier than ever to ensure optimised resource allocation and efficient urban systems.
The Economic Impact
The economic development of a city is profoundly interconnected with the urban planning of a city. The revitalization of a city into 15-minute cities has great potential to boost local economies and businesses. Decentralisation is conducive to supporting entrepreneurship and small businesses, focusing on a more community-centric and inclusive economy. This essentially pushes the economic landscape into a mixed-use development, fostering a more pedestrianised neighbourhood, thereby equating foot traffic to revenue in a broad sense.
A suitable instance of this can be seen in Paris, which transformed the city into a more walkable, sustainable and pedestrianised neighbourhood. This change, led by Mayor Anne Hildago, was received differently amongst varying demographics. On social media, a quick search for ’15 15-minute city’ results in mostly negative POVs, including claims that the initiatives were restricting the residents’ movements outside their home districts. One such scheme was the “Paris Respire” program, which restricted vehicular movement in certain areas on weekends in an attempt to regulate traffic and promote pedestrianisation. While these schemes have revitalised neighbourhoods and boosted local economies, they are also followed by a long list of demerits, bringing about a lifestyle change that residents have grown accustomed to over the past few decades.
Another such execution can be seen in Barcelona’s Superblocks, which reduced pollution, enhanced public health and pedestrianised the neighbourhoods while maintaining a steady economy. The economic benefits are palpable, with increased foot traffic leading to higher business revenue, increased opportunities for entrepreneurs and a thriving local economy.
Challenges
This reimagination of cities into 15-minute cities is not without its challenges. As the infrastructure of most cities has developed as a transit-oriented infrastructure, there will constantly be significant resistance. Just as globalisation brought about permanent changes to the economy and subsequently urban planning and infrastructure, ensuring accessibility beyond basic amenities, large-scale business opportunities and the interconnectedness of these various 15-minute cities, is crucial to its successful implementation.
In a world of disconnect and constant desire for expansion, the concept of 15-minute cities can exist as cities of respite, offering a more sustainable, and equitable lifestyle. Residents can find relatively slower paces of living with the benefits of a thriving and growing economy, rather than a constant dilemma of choosing between livability or economic benefits. This is not merely a utopian ideal but a realistic future, moving towards a more sustainable, pedestrianised and maintainable way of living in the long run.
References:
- ‘15-Minute City’ is an urban planning concept that promotes easy access to essential amenities | reuters. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL1N3622AL/ (Accessed: 07 May 2024).
- The surprising stickiness of the ‘15-Minute City’ (no date) World Economic Forum. Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/03/15-minute-city-stickiness/ (Accessed: 07 May 2024).
- What are ‘15-minute cities’? why are they sparking outrage online? (2023) Firstpost. Available at: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/explained-what-are-15-minute-cities-why-are-they-sparking-outrage-online-12214542.html (Accessed: 07 May 2024).
