The rise of the 15-minute city
The 15-minute city is a concept currently captivating metropolitan authorities and urban planners alike, as they seek to revive urban life safely and sustainably in the wake of Covid-19.
4 minutes to read
At a glance:
- The theory is based on four pillars: proximity, diversity, density and ubiquity
- City residents should be able to find everything they require (work, retail and leisure) within a 15-minute walk or cycle ride of their home
- The rhythm of the city should follow humans, not cars, and every area should serve multiple purposes
While not a new notion, it is another example of a trend that has been accelerated by the pandemic and the ongoing focus on wellbeing that we discussed in the 2020 edition of The Wealth Report.
“Such a straightforward and easily implemented, brilliant idea that it has exploded on the global scene,” is the reaction of Saskia Sassen, Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology at Columbia University (see Cities to Lead the Way) when I ask her what she thinks of the idea.
The theory, by Carlos Moreno, a professor at Sorbonne University in Paris, is based on four pillars: proximity, diversity, density and ubiquity. The idea is that city residents should be able to find everything they require (work, retail and leisure) within a 15-minute walk or cycle ride of their home. The rhythm of the city should follow humans, not cars, and every area should serve multiple purposes.
"Higher property values generally correlate with a higher level of “walkability."
In July 2020 C40, a network of the global cities committed to addressing climate change, published How to build back better with a 15-minute city. C40 maps out the steps needed to engage with the concept for urban visionaries to adapt their own.
For older cities that were shaped before cars, the move towards smaller ‘neighbourhoods’ and more pedestrianisation is easier than younger, sprawling cities where cars are the primary form of transit.
Where cities can adapt there are opportunities for environmental, economic and social benefits. In December a new report into sustainable development by The Prince’s Foundation, with partners Space Syntax, Knight Frank and Smart Growth Associates, noted the greater quality of life.
In addition to the environmental benefits from fewer cars and traffic, the report highlights the positive impact on communities from places that are planned to incorporate a mix of uses – be they residential, commercial, or community spaces.
The findings suggest that greater quality of life, improved mental and physical health, and higher property values generally correlate with a higher level of “walkability” and more mixed-use development in a range of areas throughout the UK.
"Paris has been notable in the momentum of the 15-minute city with Mayor Anne Hidalgo placing green policies at the forefront."
From Paris to Houston, Chengdu to Melbourne, cities in every corner of the globe are starting to implement some of the principles. Notable among them is Barcelona, which led the way with the introduction of its “superblocks”, islands of car-free space made by re-routing traffic, some five years ago (see Superblocks and superyachts).
Paris has been notable in the momentum of the 15-minute city with Mayor Anne Hidalgo placing green policies at the forefront since being first elected in 2014 and making hyper-proximity’ and the 15-minute city key pillars of her 2020 re-election campaign.
In the past five years 900 miles of cycle lanes have been constructed, plazas have been redesigned to be more pedestrian-friendly and, from 2024, all diesel cars will be banned, with petrol cars following in 2030. Lockdown enabled Paris to catapult its efforts with 40 miles of road temporarily made into cycle lanes with some becoming permanent.
Our report focuses on a location built around the idea at Poundbury in Dorset. Born in response to HRH Prince of Wales’s A Vision of Britain 30 years ago, Poundbury was developed on ten principles that he felt would make for better places and communities.
Visionary master planner, Leon Krier, turned the principles into practice, challenging ‘norms’. With integrated uses, including light industrial commercial space, Poundbury proves that this type of development works financially as well as socially.
With the way we live changing there are significant opportunities for investors. Many UHNWIs may be looking towards this already with development land being the third most popular commercial property target among our Attitudes Survey respondents, with 24% putting it in their top three.
This combined with existing buildings that can be repurposed present options aplenty. But to gain the most value, both economically and societally, it is imperative to understand where cities are moving.