15-Minutes Cities
2024-07-17
The concept of “15-minutes cities” was proposed by Sorbonne urban planner Carlos Moreno. He encourages the creation of cities where residents have access to all essential services, jobs, schools, parks and entertainment within 15 minutes on foot or by bike. The proposed approach aims to improve the quality of life for residents, reduce traffic and decrease CO2 emissions by reducing dependence on cars. Increasingly, cities around the world are experimenting with this concept, making changes in urban planning and infrastructure to better meet the needs of citizens. In a model city of the 15-minute city idea, the centre features a market square, which is the heart of the city, where pedestrian walkways dominate and car traffic is limited. Historical buildings are renovated and repurposed for cafes, restaurants and meeting places, while new buildings are designed according to sustainable development principles. According to this vision, every residential neighbourhood is designed with social diversity in mind and is self-sufficient (including a supermarket, pharmacy, school, health care centre and playground for kids). Another characteristic of such a city is a well-developed network of bike paths and sidewalks, and public transportation is eco-friendly and modern. Public spaces are designed with residents’ physical activity and recreation in mind.
source: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/03/15-minute-city-stickiness/)
Below are examples of cities taking steps towards implementing the 15-minute city idea. These cities serve as examples for others worldwide, inspiring the creation of more sustainable and resident-friendly urban environments.
Paris – one of the pioneers in implementing the 15-minute city concept. The city authorities of Paris focus on creating pedestrian and cyclist-friendly public spaces and promoting local shops and services.
Melbourne – a city striving to create a more sustainable urban development model by enabling residents to access all essential services quickly. Through the development of a tram network, bike paths and the promotion of public spaces, the city is becoming more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.
Portland – developing infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists and promoting mixed-use areas, making it easy for residents to access work, shops and entertainment within 15 minutes.
Stockholm – the city authorities are taking measures to improve quality of life by increasing access to services and jobs for residents. Investments in public transportation, bike infrastructure and the creation of public spaces aim to provide quick and convenient access to all essential services within 15 minutes.
Pleszew – a 17 000-inhabitant city in Greater Poland often referred to as Poland’s first 15-minute city. It is an example of a compact city offering everything residents need close at hand.
Rzeszów – one of the most dynamically developing cities in Poland. Rzeszów is incorporating elements of the 15-minute city concept into its urban strategy. In the future, Rzeszów aims to consist mainly of multifunctional and compact districts that will reduce the need for long commutes.
Cracow – another city in Poland where initiatives related to the 15-minute city concept have emerged. The city authorities plan to create spaces where residents have easy access to all necessary services and attractions, such as shops, parks, cultural centres and workplaces.
The city concept proposed by Carlos Moreno has both supporters and opponents. The main arguments presented by both sides are gathered and described below:
| Advantages: | Disadvantages: |
| Proximity of services and attractions – reduction of residents’ need for cars by providing easy access to most services and workplaces. Promotion of a healthy lifestyle – improvement of residents’ physical condition through walking or cycling to cover distances. Reduction of air pollution – decrease of the number of cars on the roads. Increased social interaction. Reduced costs related to the demand for expanding road infrastructure. Stimulation of the local economy. Increased public space – reallocation of areas previously reserved for cars. | High initial costs due to the need for city reorganization. Limitation of connections to more distant areas of the city as a result of focusing on local traffic. Potential overload of selected areas due to increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Possibility of excluding elderly and disabled individuals if the needs of certain social groups are overlooked during the creation of a 15-minute city. |
Summary
The concept of the 15-minute cities aims at creating sustainable and environmentally-friendly cities that address the challenges of contemporary urban planning. The trend is gaining popularity as it can contribute to improving the quality of life in cities. Reducing commute times means that residents can use the saved time for personal development or entertainment, leading to increased comfort and reduced stress levels. However, this is a long-term process. In the future, more cities in Poland will attempt to incorporate this concept into their development strategies. It is important to remember that this requires time, financial investments and collaboration across various sectors. Large cities will need to invest in expanding transportation infrastructure, developing public transport and ensuring an adequate number of services and public spaces. The participation of the local community in the planning and decision-making processes concerning the city’s future will also be crucial. Despite many challenges, the prospects are promising and Polish cities have significant potential to create more sustainable, ecological and comfortable living environments for their residents.
Klaudia Jastrzębska
Senior Analyst, GIS Analyst
