Transforming Urban Living
In 2022 there was a sizable demonstration in Oxford, England protesting the implementation of a concept called the 15-minute city.
For those of us in New Brunswick on the east coast of Canada, the concept may be unfamiliar. What is a 15 minute city and is it something that we should be concerned about? A 15 minute city is an urban planning concept where daily necessities and services are within a 15 minute walk or bike ride from any point in the city.
Uptown Saint John, despite its steep hills, is a perfect example of a pedestrian friendly neighbourhood where all products and services are within a short walk away. The concept would duplicate the services offered Uptown in concentrated hubs all over the city so that people can easily access services within a short walk of their homes.
The overall goal of a 15 minute city is to reduce car dependency, promote healthy and sustainable living, and improve the overall quality of life for city dwellers. The concept has its roots in pre-modern urban planning traditions, and it builds upon similar pedestrian-centered principles found in New Urbanism, transit-oriented development, and other similar proposals that promote walkability and mixed-use developments. The 15 minute city gained significant traction after Paris Mayor, Anne Hidalgo, included a plan to implement it during her 2020 re-election campaign. The ongoing climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted a heightened focus on the concept.
Several models have been proposed for implementing the 15-minute city, including building it from a series of smaller 5-minute neighborhoods. The concept requires a multi-disciplinary approach involving transportation planning, urban design, and policymaking to create well-designed public spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and mixed-use developments. Although the idea of a 15-minute city has been around for years, only a few UK cities such as Oxford, Bristol, Canterbury, and Sheffield have proposed plans to introduce some elements of the concept. However, there has been some opposition to the idea, with some claiming that it could restrict personal freedom or introduce a greater surveillance culture.
The implementation of 15 minute cities could mean more restrictions for motorists, such as the introduction of Ultra Low Emission Zones or Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. However, these measures do not restrict people from moving between neighbourhoods or limit personal freedom in any way. In Oxford, there has been confusion about the city council’s 15-minute-city plans and recent changes to traffic systems. The council’s plans aim to improve infrastructure and increase mobility within neighbourhoods, while the county council’s measures will encourage drivers to travel around the city using the ring road or public transport. However, there is no evidence that Oxford residents will be tracked or fined for driving outside their local areas. While there are legitimate criticisms about the huge investment in infrastructure needed for 15 minute cities, personal freedom is not a valid concern. The idea of a 15 minute city is designed to make cities more livable for humans rather than cars, which is a positive step for both people and the planet.
