Introduction and Research Questions
Castellví, Nil. Paris, France.
Fifteen minute cities are a strategic urban design plan that have been quickly gaining popularity in several countries. The concept entails giving city residents access to all their needs within a fifteen minute walk or bike ride. Doing so creates numerous benefits, including environmental- as the use of automobiles is not necessary, and health- as short distances encourage exercise through walking and biking. While this urban planning concept is a solution for many residents who struggle with commuting to work, grocery stores, or public areas, it can produce negative consequences. The close proximity to resources discourages residents from traveling beyond their fifteen minute circle, thus discouraging socialization on a larger scale. The concept can also reinforce urban inequality, creating segregation throughout these cities. The concept had great success in its debut city of Paris, France, and quickly carried over to Latin America, a region containing many heavily populated cities. Moving forward, the question arises of how the fifteen minute city concept can be improved to have success in Latin American urban environments.
Research Questions
What is the concept of a fifteen minute city?
Where does the concept fall short?
How can it apply to a Latin American urban environment?
Narrative And Overview
Delmestre, Mathieu. Charles Moreno riding bike in Paris.
Cities function as resource hubs to provide citizens with jobs, shopping, entertainment, and other amenities. The compact nature makes it difficult to own and operate automobiles, and creates a greater reliance on public transportation. The prolonged and frequent use of these methods of transportation has negative effects on the environment, and many city design planners search for a solution. Fifteen minute cities work to combat this, providing residents with access to all resources within a fifteen minute walk or bike ride.
The concept was created by French-Colombian scientist Carlos Moreno, who first began promoting his ideas in 2016. At a Ted Talk in 2021, he stated, “In a nutshell, the idea is that cities should be designed or redesigned so that within the distance of a fifteen minute walk or bike ride, people should be able to live the essence of what constitutes the urban experience: to access work, housing, food, health education, culture, and leisure” (TED). Moreno believes his idea will lead to cleaner air, less noise pollution from automobiles, personal health benefits, and open up more time in people’s days through the reduction of transportation time. It is argued that the fifteen minute city reduces poverty, as “Lack of accessible socioeconomic services negatively impacts the quality of life for marginalized communities” (Hendricks). This theory suggests that giving this resource access to marginalized communities offers new opportunities that may otherwise not be available.
While Carlos Moreno’s design concept has benefits that can be seen throughout communities, some people are not so quick to acknowledge it as a positive change for urban areas. Innovators at the Bloomberg City Lab global cities summit believe that the design technique presents many accompanying dangers, such as exacerbating inequality. Urban designer Jay Pitter remarked, “It doesn’t take into account the histories of urban inequity, intentionally imposed by technocratic and colonial planning approaches, such as segregated neighborhoods, deep amenity inequity and discriminatory policing of our public spaces” (Bloomberg). While the concept helps bring resources to marginalized communities, it also creates barriers that can close off these neighborhoods. This would certainly contradict the purpose of fifteen minute cities, which promotes community and a better quality of life. While this concern may dissuade planners from utilizing the plan, Pitter believes that there are improvements that can be made to prevent segregation. He suggests discarding the idea of strictly fifteen minutes, with thirty and even sixty minute cities being a step in the right direction for many areas while still allowing for travel outside of small boundaries.
Vibes, David. Valparaíso, Chile. Unsplash.
A striking 82% of the Latin American population resides in cities, a statistic that enforces the necessity for well-functioning, environmentally friendly urban centers. With areas such as Bogota, Columbia taking strides to implement fifteen minute city concepts into the city. Bike lanes and bike racks have been instituted throughout a large portion of the city to promote the use of cycling rather than cars or public transportation. This particular idea highlights the good of fifteen minute cities, utilizing bicycles as a way to encourage healthy transportation and impact the environment. Along with Bogota, the fifteen minute city concept is also present in Providencia, Santiago, Chile. This community is described as a place where “all roads lead to downtown” (Valencia). Architect and writer Nicolas Valencia reflects on his hometown of Providencia and the impact the fifteen minute city has on his life. He explains that the concept is not new in his city, and rather has functioned successfully for citizens for years. However, Valencia argues that the recent additions of skyscrapers and hotels in the city degrade the nature-esque environment. This brings to attention the importance of creating these spaces in Latin America in a way that does not infringe on the culture and scenic features of each city.
The urban design plan has many aspects that bring about positive change to communities. Bike systems allows for increased access to resources, as well as a more environmentally friendly alternative to public transportation that benefits the cardiovascular health of residents. Closer amenities also bring more job opportunities to the area and contribute to the overall economy of the area. While negative consequences such as the exacterbation of equality have the possibility to occcur, I believe that this can be avoided by gradually implementing small concepts from this design plan over time. Architects need to maintain the goal of uniting cities and creating a greater sense of community in an efficient way for citizens. Charles Moreno went on to win an OBEL award in 2021 for his work on 15- Minute Cities. He acknowledged the growing popularity of this concept and suggested it may start to be implemented in cities worldwide. Moreno stated, “I want to thank the jury for giving me this award. In my opinion, it is in fact a triple recognition: On the one hand, it is a recognition of my academic work, but secondly, it is a recognition of the international movement generated by the 15-minute city. And thirdly, it is a recognition of the commitment by different mayors around the world in embracing the 15-minute city.”
Primary Sources Annotated Bibliography
Demestre, Mathieu. “Charles Moreno Riding Bike in Paris.” Design City Lab, https://api.designcitylab.com/public/images/article-images/15-minute-city–Carlos-Moreno-riding-bike-in-Paris—Credits-Mathieu-Delmestre45742.jpg.
This photograph of Charles Moreno was taken firsthand at a bicycle event in Paris by photographer, Mathieu Delmestre. The source is relevant because Moreno, the founder of the 15-minute city design plan, is demonstrating the positive effects of that come from this concept. He is engaging with the community and promoting the use of bicycles as an alternative to other transportation that pollutes the environment.
TED Talks. “The 15-Minute City | Carlos Moreno.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 Jan. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ2f4sJVXAI.
This source is Ted Talk with 15-minute city concept founder, Charles Moreno. Moreno explains the concept and the benefits associated with a transition to this design layout (1:32). Moreno enforces adaptability and educates his audience on how his concept allows citizens to thrive, despite their location within a city. He encourages city planners to transform existing infrastructures and allow for the building of new communities in a way that benefits the environment (5:12). The informative speech was part of the Countdown Global Launch on October 10, 2020.
Valencia, Nicolas. “My 15-Minute City: Providencia; Santiago, Chile.” Common Edge, 4 May 2021, https://commonedge.org/my-15-minute-city-providencia-santiago-chile/.
This photo essay provides a first-hand account of how the 15-minute city concept is carried out in Providencia, Santiago, Chile. Architect and writer Nicolas Valencia remarks on characteristics of the city and the role that walkability has played in his daily life. Valencia also highlights the way Providencia is centered around nature and a warm atmosphere. He believes the 15 minute city compliments this, providing the opportunity to connect with the richness of the city.
Secondary Sources Annotated Bibliography
O’Sullivan, Feargus. “Where the ‘15-Minute City’ Falls Short.” Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, 2 Mar. 2021, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-02/the-downsides-of-a-15-minute-city.
This source is an article on the downsides of 15-minute cities that planners may not be taking into account. Writer Feargus O’Sullivan analyzes the associated segregation that may result from 15-minute cities. He believes the idea creates borders that close off communities, dissuading social interaction and growth. He states, “It doesn’t take into account the histories of urban inequity, intentionally imposed by technocratic and colonial planning approaches, such as segregated neighborhoods, deep amenity inequity and discriminatory policing of our public spaces.” O’Sullivan believes that Moreno’s design concept marginalizes communities and should instead aim to reduce transportation time for citizens without containing them to a fifteen minute area.
“Global Movement of 15-Minute City by Prof. Carlos Moreno Is the Winner of Obel Award 2021.” Designcitylab, https://designcitylab.com/post/news/global-movement-of-15-minute-city-by-prof-carlos-moreno-is-the-winner-of-obel-award-2021.
Hendricks, Jennifer. “The 15-Minute City Addresses Poverty.” The Borgen Project, Saiesha Https://Borgenproject.org/Wp-Content/Uploads/Logo.jpg, 22 Feb. 2022, https://borgenproject.org/the-15-minute-city/.
In “The 15-Minute City Addresses Poverty,” author Jennifer Hendricks reflects on all the ways 15-minute cities help the constant poverty issue that exists in many cities. She believes that marginalized communities are given access to resources that were not previously available to them, creating better living conditions and an overall quality of life. Henricks believes the concept creates the benefits of increased health and nutrition, better quality of life, and cleaner air. Hendricks advocates for the 15-minute city as a way to promote equality and give citizens equal access to resources.
Henrik Frode Obel Foundation. “A Hyperlocal Global Urban Movement.” OBEL AWARD, OBEL AWARD, 4 Oct. 2021, https://obelaward.org/a-hyperlocal-global-urban-movement/.
This source from the Henrik Frode Obel Foundation is recognizing Carlos Moreno for his 2021 award for his 15-minute city design concept. The article explains Moreno’s concept and includes a portion of Moreno’s speech as he accepted the award.
O’Sullivan, Feargus. “Where the ‘15-Minute City’ Falls Short.” Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, 2 Mar. 2021, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-02/the-downsides-of-a-15-minute-city.
This source is an article on the downsides of 15-minute cities that planners may not be taking into account. Writer Feargus O’Sullivan analyzes the associated segregation that may result from 15-minute cities. He believes the idea creates borders that close off communities, dissuading social interaction and growth. He states, “It doesn’t take into account the histories of urban inequity, intentionally imposed by technocratic and colonial planning approaches, such as segregated neighborhoods, deep amenity inequity and discriminatory policing of our public spaces.” O’Sullivan believes that Moreno’s design concept marginalizes communities and should instead aim to reduce transportation time for citizens without containing them to a fifteen minute area.
Glossary
15 Minute City– residential urban concept in which all city residents are able to meet most of their needs within a short walk or bicycle ride from their homes.
“15 Minute City.” Encyclopedia, https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/34586.
Urbanization- the process by which large numbers of people become permanently concentrated in relatively small areas, forming cities.
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