Why are 15-minute-cities so controversial?

It is a concept that has been around for some time but has been hitting the headlines with increasing regularity.

The 15-minute-city is a phrase that has been bandied around by town planners and architects with very little controversy or debate.

But more and more it is being used as an insult by people who are opposed to traffic calming schemes.

The term was coined by an academic in Canada but has now become something of a rallying cry for those opposed to liveable neighbourhood schemes in towns and cities across the UK.

Conservative MP Nick Fletcher recently described the theory as an “international socialist concept” whose ultimate purpose was to “take away personal freedoms.”

Several high profile commentators on social media, predominantly from the right of the political spectrum, have waded in on the debate. Opponents are increasingly positioning themselves as defenders of democracy fighting against faceless town-hall bureaucrats.

And the organisers of a major protest in Oxford have promised to bring similar mass events to Bath and Bristol in the near future.

At the heart of the debate are the liveable neighbourhoods or low traffic neighbourhoods. Typically they are areas that are centred on safety and health with the emphasis on air quality and reliable public transport.

Perhaps most controversial of all the neighbourhoods are usually accompanied by restrictions on the use of cars.

The global pandemic has changed working patterns and the way businesses operate for good.

For many the daily grind of the commute has become a distant memory and people are increasingly making professional decisions based on the impact their job has on their work/life balance.

The idea of a neighbourhood where people can live and work with most amenities and services within easy reach is nothing new.

Famously Poundbury in Dorset, a pet project of the then Prince Charles, had the concept at the heart of its design and delivery.

Bath has long struggled with traffic problems and the annual influx of  visitors. The local authority has been keen to introduce the concept to new developments in and around the historic Georgian city.

Eight projects have been put forward as schemes that could be delivered using a proportion of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement set aside for Liveable Neighbourhood projects in Bristol.

The projects would pave the way for safer walking and cycling routes and would be located in the city centre, Ashley Down, Clifton, Redland, Easton, and Eastville.

Don Alexander, Bristol’s cabinet member for transport, said: “We’re looking to transform a range of neighbourhoods across the city that are dominated by cars and other larger vehicles so we can open them up more for community use.

“Rebalancing our streets will encourage more people to embrace active travel, especially for shorter journeys, and make areas look more attractive while also supporting hospitality venues.

“Our overall ambition is to improve Bristol’s transport network to create cleaner air and better, more reliable bus services, improved walking and cycling routes, alongside our ongoing plans for an underground mass transit system.”

Nick Fairham

Nick Fairham, is chief executive of global design practice BDP and head of its Bristol studio.

He has been talking about the concept for several years and has been taken aback by the sudden increase in interest in subject and the strength of feelings the topic seems to stir up on both sides of the debate.

He said: “It has been fascinating to see the debate around 15-minute cities re-ignited recently; it’s certainly sparking some polarised views and, in some cases, caused alarm with concerns raised that it would take away people’s personal freedoms.

“It is good that a conversation about this urban concept is happening and gaining national attention. I believe it can bring huge advantages to city populations, making for healthier, happier, better connected and more sustainable communities. However, there is much to consider to ensure success and I’m keen to explore the nuances of this debate here.”

He adds: “We should not forget that by 2050, 70 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities.

“The 15-minute city concept paves the way for a larger number of smaller interconnected neighbourhood hubs in addition to a city centre hub, a trend that has actually already started to emerge following the pandemic with the advent of hybrid working. So, we still need to protect our city centres but, at the same time, recognise their role is changing; the move from retail-dominated cities centres, which is already well underway, in fact, allows space for improving the city centre experience to one which becomes a destination for all.”

He adds: “It’s important also to highlight that the transition to a 15-minute city can’t be driven through a top-down approach or it will drive gentrification and social inequality.

“ It must be delivered through community dialogue to determine the specific needs of a particular neighbourhood, whether that’s health and social care, or improved shopping provision.

“It’s also vital there is early investment in infrastructure such as public transport and high quality urban realm.

“Ultimately, I  think we need to move the 15-minute city discussion away from purely being a cars vs pedestrians debate and realise these two can co-exist, but that we can do a lot better in terms of making it attractive and safe for people to walk and cycle by creating streets and spaces that are people-centered.”

He adds: “One of the big wins of a 15-minute-city, in line with trends for hybrid working, is an improvement in people’s wellbeing. With work, shopping, leisure, education and healthcare on our doorstep, we are spending less time travelling and have more choice about how we spend our time, resulting in a better work-life balance.

“The 15-minute city is not a new concept, it’s actually been around quite a long time and has in fact informed a new urban planning model for Paris. The idea has gained pace since the pandemic, with the way people live their lives already having undergone a shift in terms of how we work, socialise, spend our leisure time and what we prioritise in life. The 15-minute city is no silver bullet, but it has huge potential to change the way we think about how we organise existing cities and create new ones – for the better. “