In Defence of 15 Minute Cities
I can’t quite believe I’m having to write this, but here goes: 15 Minute Cities are a really, really good thing. I’ve been a fan of the concept since visiting Paris in 2016 to research my book about air pollution, during the early stages of Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s “la Ville des proximités” reforms. I took part in road closure ‘ridealongs’ and walked along the once congested dual carriageway, now large footpath and city park, on the right bank of the Seine. I arrived unsure what I would make of it all, but left with the firm conclusion that making cities more walkable and cyclable, and reducing the traffic, are key to creating liveable, breathable cities. The majority of Parisians clearly agreed, and Hidalgo — whose 15 Minute City programme was central to her campaign — was re-elected in 2020. (The right bank closure in particular was bitterly contested by a vocal minority of driving groups, but ultimately the reforms were backed by the majority of voters — a simple fact I’ll return to later)
What is a 15 Minute City?
The idea is simple: design urban spaces so that everything people need is within a 15-minute walk or bike ride of their homes. This includes access to basic amenities like groceries and healthcare, as well as work, entertainment, and cultural institutions. It is a rejection of the need to drive from the suburbs to the centre and back, long…
