Understanding the 15-Minute City and the 20-Minute Neighbourhood
The concept of the 15-Minute City is an urban planning model where residents can access the majority of their daily necessities such as work, shopping, education, healthcare, and leisure within a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or public transit trip from their homes. This design approach aims to reduce dependence on automobiles, fostering healthier, more sustainable lifestyles and improving the overall wellbeing and quality of life for city residents.
The core idea behind the 15-Minute City is to create a human-centric environment that prioritises walking, cycling, and the use of public transportation over car use. In line with this vision, urban areas designed as 15-Minute Cities often feature abundant green spaces, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly walkways, rather than emphasising car-centric infrastructure. This concept is also referred to by various terms, including 20-Minute Cities, 20-Minute Neighbourhoods, or Complete Communities, all of which share a similar focus on accessibility and sustainability.
Key Benefits of the 15-Minute City and 20-Minute Neighbourhood
The 15-Minute City and 20-Minute Neighbourhood concepts offer numerous benefits, many of which have already been realised in areas where these models have been implemented:
Reduced Reliance on Vehicles: The primary objective of the 15-Minute City is to minimise vehicle dependency by ensuring that essential amenities and services are within a short walking, biking, or transit distance. This shift not only alleviates traffic congestion but also lowers carbon emissions and promotes healthier lifestyles through increased physical activity.
Reduced Pollution: By decreasing the need for personal vehicle use, this urban planning approach contributes to lower pollution levels. Fewer vehicles on the road result in decreased traffic and congestion, improving air quality. Additionally, the reduction of noise pollution, which has been linked to various health issues such as stress, anxiety, and hearing loss, is another positive outcome.
Economic Benefits: While the 15-Minute City model is often associated with large urban centres, it is equally applicable to smaller towns and rural areas. In these settings, it can drive increased foot traffic, stimulate local commerce, and create job opportunities, thus providing a much-needed boost to local economies.
Enhanced Public Health and Wellbeing: The design of 15-Minute Cities typically incorporates more green spaces, cleaner air, and easier access to essential services, all of which contribute to a higher quality of life. These elements encourage outdoor activity, improving both physical and mental health. Additionally, the reduction of pollution and increased access to community spaces can help combat issues such as depression and loneliness.
Improved Social Connectivity: The 15-Minute City model fosters more connected communities. With amenities and services located within close proximity, residents can more easily engage with each other, fostering stronger social bonds and enhancing opportunities for social interaction, entertainment, and community engagement.
Controversies Surrounding the 15-Minute City and 20-Minute Neighbourhood
Despite its many advantages, the 15-Minute City concept has faced criticism, particularly from those who raise concerns about potential restrictions on personal mobility. Some detractors argue that these models could lead to overly controlled or confined communities, limiting freedom of movement.
However, this concern is often mitigated when such developments are supported by robust public transit systems. The best examples of well-planned 15-Minute Cities invariably have public transportation facilitates to travel both within and beyond the designated area, complementing the use of private cars. Rather than banning car usage, the model aims to reduce reliance on them, offering residents greater flexibility. Public transit provides increased mobility for those who cannot drive or afford a car, ultimately expanding their options for travel and enhancing overall freedom of movement.
Incorporating Public Transit into the 15 minute City Urban Planning Concept
The role of Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs) in facilitating new housing has been highlighted in a previous article ‘Building homes connected to infrastructure, the benefits of Transit Oriented Developments’. Like 15-Minute Cities, TODs are inherently designed as high-density, mixed-use communities. By integrating TOD design principles into the 15-Minute City and 20-Minute Neighbourhood frameworks, and incorporating housing as a central element, these urban models can play a significant role in addressing the growing demand for new housing.
Adopting the design principles of the 15-Minute City, 20-Minute Neighbourhood, and TODs allows for sustainable urban developments that can support higher population densities. This approach simultaneously enhances the effectiveness of public transit systems. A larger residential population located near transit hubs creates a greater passenger base, which, in turn, helps justify further investment in transit infrastructure. This creates a well-connected, sustainable urban environment that meets both housing and mobility needs.
What can be done to Promote this Concept
To minimise the use of undeveloped land and avoid the high costs associated with new public transit systems or extensive road construction, the development of high-density, transit-connected urban hubs is essential. Achieving the ambitious housing target of 1.5 million homes of varying types and tenures within a relatively short time frame will require such urban hubs.
By drawing on best practices from cities around the world with successful examples of TOD and 15-Minute City designs, the government should provide clear design guidance and principles. These guidelines will help local planning authorities (LPAs) and Development Corporations develop both new and existing urban hubs, while addressing potential opposition to these developments.