T his year we have seen the 15-minute city circulate the news , reaching many ears and stirring divided opinions , with the concept being praised by climate activists , loathed by residents and even feared by conspiracists .
The controversial urban planning concept is becoming something that is already a reality for cities like Paris , Amsterdam and Barcelona , with many UK cities in the early stages of adoption .
The idea of a 15-minute city , coined in 2016 by an urbanist and professor at the Sorbonne University called Carlos Moreno , allows the most daily necessities and services , such as work , shopping , education , healthcare and leisure to be easily accessed by a 15-minute walk , bike ride or public transit ride from any point in the city .
According to new research published by RE / MAX , 55 % of Europeans felt a shorter daily commute would be a big benefit , while close to five in ten respondents ( 44.8 %) believe there would be environmental benefits from creating 15-minute cities , as individuals no longer had to travel large distances daily . Europeans are also attracted by local access to green space , especially following the pandemic .
With most cities ’ infrastructure designed with cars , buses and other motor transport in mind , a greener yet accessible city starts with route restrictions or the introduction of Ultra Low Emission Zones , something that many major UK cities have already seen implemented . Local councils have started their progression by expanding cycle lanes , pedestrianised roads or directing traffic away from side roads with new bollards .
The controversy
These changes or ‘ restrictions ’, depending on who you ask , have created a controversial stir . People even took to the streets in protest , viewing the action as an infringement of their rights and taking away the accessibility and freedom of motorists . One of the most notable being in Oxford , UK , where thousands attended a protest to fight against the change , even vandalising and destroying newly placed bollards and planters .
Some argue that the 15-minute city goes beyond simple motorist rights and have embraced a conspiracy theory that the government is attempting to confine people to their neighbourhoods . Conservative Party MP , Nick Fletcher , addressed the Commons on the concept of 15-minute cities labelling it a ‘ socialist concept ’ and implored the speaker to bring forward a debate on the subject .
The conspiracy theories surrounding what the ‘ seemingly harmless ’ pedestrian-friendly cities would eventually lead to , strongly mirrors Orwell ’ s 1984 , with the traffic management cameras placed to track the public , with punishments in the form of a £ 100 fine if a poor Winston strays too far from his address . Not forgetting that only the richest and most powerful will be allowed cars .
The solution
This now raises further complications for governing bodies who want to implement the 15-minute city . Not only do they need to consider the financial speedbumps or construction roadmaps , but they now face the public ’ s fears and concerns about how this may stunt their livelihoods . We ask two experts : how can 15-minute cities ’ be implemented while addressing protester concerns and fostering constructive dialogue in urban planning ?
HOW CAN 15-MINUTE CITIES BE IMPLEMENTED WHILE ADDRESSING PROTESTER CONCERNS AND FOSTERING CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE IN URBAN PLANNING ?
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