Urban Planning Debate: Is the 15-minute city a vision or a tangible urban development model?
The 15-minute city concept, first proposed in modern civilization, is gaining traction as a solution for creating sustainable and livable cities. The idea is simple: all basic amenities, such as work, school, shopping, healthcare, and leisure facilities, should be within a 15-minute reach for residents, accessible via sustainable transport methods.
The concept has been successfully implemented in Paris, with Carlos Moreno deconstructing the traditional car-dominant city design. However, the question remains: is the 15-minute city concept suitable for both new developments and existing cities?
New Developments and the 15-Minute City
In new developments, the 15-minute city concept offers an opportunity to design walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods from the start. By integrating essential services and facilities, these developments can promote sustainability, health, and inclusivity from the outset.
Existing Cities and the 15-Minute City
In existing cities, especially large, sprawling ones, the implementation of the 15-minute city concept faces challenges due to entrenched car culture, zoning, and infrastructure limitations. These cities require careful phased planning and significant investment to transform urban patterns.
Pros and Cons of the 15-Minute City
Pros
The 15-minute city concept offers several advantages. By localizing essential services, it reduces car usage, traffic congestion, and pollution. This results in improved quality of life for residents, as they spend less time commuting and have more leisure and family time. The model also promotes health and well-being, as it encourages physical activity and social interaction. It is inclusive and accessible, with thoughtful urban design features catering to vulnerable groups like the elderly, women, and people with disabilities. The 15-minute city concept fosters stronger social ties and vibrant public spaces, supporting community and solidarity. Lastly, the model aligns with environmental goals, as it reduces emissions and a smaller urban footprint.
Cons
Despite its advantages, the 15-minute city concept also presents challenges. Retrofitting existing sprawled cities can be challenging and requires long-term, phased transformations. Existing zoning laws and infrastructure often prevent mixed-use developments and safe pedestrian access, requiring regulatory overhaul. While walkability is prioritized, some populations may still need car access for short distances, posing a challenge to fully car-free mobility. Integrating diverse amenities and services in a compact area is complex and may face resistance from stakeholders accustomed to car-centric urban forms. Without careful planning, improvements could lead to gentrification and displacement in already vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Balancing the 15-Minute City
To ensure the success of the 15-minute city concept, it is crucial that all residents have access to infrastructure for walking, cycling, or public transport within 15 minutes. Developers and councils can encourage reduced car use through careful design, such as out-of-town parking areas, accessible public transport, and taxes or regulations like congestion charges. Infrastructure investment, including cycle lanes and public transport routes, is crucial for the success of the 15-minute city concept. Public transport options must be accessible for disabled people, with direct routes and a bus stop or train station within a close proximity.
The Future of the 15-Minute City
In Utrecht, Netherlands, 100% of residents can reach all city necessities within a 15-minute cycle, due to excellent cycling infrastructure. London has seen significant 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, demonstrating the potential of 15-minute cities. In particularly dense areas, it is crucial that facilities are capable of handling the population within a 15-minute reach to ensure the success of the 15-minute city concept.
In conclusion, the 15-minute city concept promotes sustainability, health, and inclusivity but requires balancing new infrastructure with equitable access for all residents. While it may face challenges in existing cities, it offers opportunities for new developments to design walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods from the start. The key to its success lies in providing options for residents, ensuring that everyone has access to the essential facilities they need within a sustainable and accessible 15-minute reach.
- In new developments, the 15-minute city concept encourages designing walkable, mixed-use neighbourhoods that promote sustainability, health, and inclusivity.
- Existing cities, especially large, sprawling ones, might face challenges in implementing the 15-minute city concept due to car culture, zoning, and infrastructure limitations.
- By localizing essential services in the 15-minute city model, car usage, traffic congestion, and pollution are reduced, improving residents' quality of life.
- The 15-minute city concept encourages physical activity and social interaction, promoting health and well-being among its residents.
- Retrofitting existing cities for the 15-minute city model requires long-term, phased transformations and regulatory overhaul for mixed-use developments and pedestrian access.
- Developer and council efforts can make transportation infrastructure more accessible, such as parking areas, public transport, and regulations that discourage car use.
- In Utrecht, the Netherlands, 100% of residents can reach all city necessities within a 15-minute cycle due to excellent cycling infrastructure.
- To ensure equitable access for all residents, public transport options must be accessible to disabled people, with direct routes and a bus stop or train station within close proximity.
