Is the 15-Minute-City Concept Building Momentum Again?

The 15 minute city is a concept that reimagines urban spaces, promoting the idea of mixed-use, community-based and environmentally-friendly infrastructure and development. The basic premise is that no matter where they live, all residents should be able to go to school, enjoy leisure activities, work and shop within walking or cycling distance of their homes – and enjoy a better quality of life as a result.

Carlos Moreno, an urbanist and professor at the Sorbonne University in Paris, reinvented and theorised the ‘La ville du quart d’heure’ concept with six social and urban functions at its core: living, working, grocery shopping, education, healthcare and self-development.

"There are six things that make an urbanite happy: dwelling in dignity, working in proper conditions, [being able to gain] provisions, well-being, education and leisure. To improve quality of life, you need to reduce the access radius for these functions". Carlos Moreno Urbanist and Professor at the Sorbonne, Paris

In truth, the concept can also incorporate 15 minute ‘neighbourhoods’ or ‘villages’ within a wider city region. The ideal is that in fact, each ‘district’ has everything a person might need to work, rest and play – and can access them quickly without the use of a car.

But this is not without contention, least of all from car companies and interest groups.

But here is the perspective of European engineering consultancy, Sweco, who champion the new emergence:

"The ideals of ‘local life’ embedded in the idea of the 15 minute city are shaping how we design and evolve urban spaces, and how we take steps to combat another global threat: climate change".

Read Sweco's piece, "The 15 Minute City: An Urban Revolution" here.