The 15-minute city: Redefining urban living for a sustainable future

The 15-minute city is not just an urban planning concept; it’s a vision for a more connected, sustainable, and equitable urban future. Carlos Moreno, a Colombian-born professor and researcher, is the Scientific Director of the research lab “Entrepreneurship Territory Innovation” at IAE Paris-Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. 

Best known for his work on this transformative idea, Moreno envisions urban spaces where residents can meet most of their needs—work, shopping, healthcare, education, and leisure—within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home. 

His approach emphasizes proximity, diversity, and flexibility as pathways to reducing carbon emissions, improving quality of life, and fostering stronger local economies. Garnering significant attention globally, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 15-minute city has reshaped urban planning discussions.

In a discussion with Professor Moreno, we delved into the origins of the 15-minute city concept, its global impact, and the challenges and opportunities it presents for transforming urban life.

What inspired you to develop the concept of the 15-minute city, and how do you  see it transforming the way we live in urban areas? 

The idea of the 15-minute city came from my observations of how urban life is disconnected  from essential human needs and environmental transition consideration. While the scientific  community was pinning all its hopes on the smart city and the technological optimisation of  cities, I looked at the issue through the prism of the living world: how can we improve living  conditions in densely populated areas? How can we limit the impact of cities on global  warming and the destruction of biodiversity? How can we make cities more resilient to uncontrollable natural events? How can we resolve urban malaise?  

I deduced that in many cities, people spend hours commuting, which reduces their quality of  life, limits their time for personal fulfillment, and contributes to environmental pollution. I have  demonstrated that these long-distance commuting habits are due to functional urban planning based on the use of individual cars. A form of urban planning where cars are reigning supreme and where human beings and biodiversity have little place in public spaces. 

I wanted to reimagine urban spaces to focus on proximity, diversity, and flexibility—allowing  people to access their needs within a short walk or bike ride. This transformation isn’t just about physical infrastructure; it’s about creating a more humane, vibrant, and resilient city, where residents have a closer connection to their communities and the environment. 

Given the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, how has the 15-minute city  concept gained momentum, and what role do you think it will play in post-pandemic  urban planning? 

The pandemic was an important milestone for the 15-minute city concept recognition. The  pandemic showed the entire world our fragility in the face of natural events. The whole world  was confronted with immobility and restriction of movement due to confinement. Some have  benefited from a pleasant living environment and have appreciated the time saved daily. Others realised the poverty of their local life and the lack of shops, resources, and services. The glaring inequalities between regions highlighted the need to transform local areas to make them more resilient in the face of shocks. In contrast, COVID-19 and the cessation of  human activities have been beneficial to natural flora and fauna. 

The  COVID-19 was a wake-up call that led to a worldwide rethink of the way we build and live  in cities. The world started rethinking urban planning to prioritize accessibility, local commerce, and green spaces. The 15-minute city concept has been recognized by the C40 Cities as a solution for rebuilding more sustainable and resilient cities in the wake of the crisis. 

Almost four years after the crisis, we can report that the 15-minute city has established itself as a prime trajectory for urban transformation throughout the world. From Paris to Medellin, via Melbourne and Shanghai, the 15-minute city is a concept that many cities are embracing, as they embark on short- and long-term urban transformations, each adapting it to their own  specific local conditions.  

What are the biggest challenges cities face when trying to implement the 15-minute  city model, and how can these challenges be overcome? 

One of the biggest challenges is rethinking infrastructure in cities that are heavily car centric.  Many urban areas have been developed with vehicles and not pedestrians in mind! Since the concept is based on proximity and soft mobility travel (walking / cycling), this is the most  important point, the most transforming and which can be the most complicated. 

It requires strong political will, adequate funding, and an openness to change by residents.  Community engagement, transparent planning, and phased, flexible implementations can  help cities overcome these hurdles.  

How do you address concerns that the 15-minute city concept might lead to  gentrification or the exclusion of lower-income communities from central areas?

This concern is valid and must be at the heart of planning. The 15-minute city model is not  just for affluent areas; it should serve all residents equitably.  

In affluent areas, measures like affordable housing policies, inclusionary zoning, and rent  controls can help ensure that low-income communities are not pushed out. In other areas,  efforts must be made to improve the local quality of life and the shops and services available. Actually, the 15-minute city is even more needed in poorer areas that often have fewer services and shops and where residents shouldn’t waste more money on transportation. 

Community participation in the planning process can help address and prevent  displacement, making sure that everyone benefits from the improved access to services and  quality of life.  

What key policies or regulations should governments put in place to facilitate the  development of 15-minute cities? And what actions can governments and  communities take to accelerate its adoption? 

Governments should prioritise policies that support mixed-use zoning, pedestrian-friendly  streets, and affordable housing. Policies that encourage the presence of small businesses,  healthcare, and cultural facilities within residential areas are essential. Communities can  contribute by actively participating in local planning processes and supporting local  businesses. When people feel involved and invested in these changes, it accelerates the adoption of changes and makes it more effective.

As technology continues to advance, what innovations do you see as most crucial  to supporting the infrastructure of a 15-minute city? 

Smart infrastructure, such as energy-efficient buildings, shared mobility platforms, and digital  tools that connect residents with local resources, will be critical. For example, real-time data  can help optimize public transportation routes and make urban planning more responsive to  residents’ needs. Additionally, remote work technology supports a more flexible lifestyle that  aligns well with the 15-minute city concept, reducing the need for long commutes. 

Can you share some examples of cities that have successfully adopted elements of  the 15-minute city model? What lessons can other cities learn from their experience?

Paris is a leading example, where Mayor Anne Hidalgo has made strides in transforming the  city with pedestrian zones, cycling lanes, and accessible services in each neighborhood. Other cities like Melbourne, Barcelona, and Portland have also embraced similar models. The key lesson is that political commitment and community involvement are essential.  Incremental steps, like increasing green spaces or improving cycling infrastructure, can go a long way toward making cities more liveable.

Given the increasing trend of remote work, how do you think the 15-minute city  concept will influence the future of workspaces and office locations in urban areas?

Remote work aligns perfectly with the 15-minute city. As people spend more time working  from home or near their homes, there is less demand for large central office spaces and  more need for flexible, local co-working spaces. I envision a shift toward a decentralized network of workspaces within residential neighbourhoods, reducing the need for long commutes and promoting work-life balance. Areas where tertiary real estate is concentrated will also have to adapt by diversifying their activities. We already need to think about  transforming office buildings to accommodate other uses, such as housing.  

What advice would you give to city planners and policymakers who want to begin  the transition toward the 15-minute city model but are unsure where to start?

You should pursue two complementary strategies: a long term and a short term one.  

Over the long term, the sustainable transformation of the area and the city must be planned  through a master plan and coordinated, timed actions. This involves creating a clear  trajectory, sequencing the work, planning the funding, anticipating the administrative and  regulatory procedures, and organising public participation in the project. 

In the short term, they should start small with simple actions like improving local public  spaces or introducing pedestrian-friendly streets. It can make a significant impact with not  much financial investment. It’s a way of involving citizens and little by little gaining their support  for the long-term plan. Engaging communities to understand their priorities is crucial, as well as securing political commitment and providing transparency about the goals and benefits of  the 15-minute city model.

Do you believe the 15-minute city can be successfully applied in densely  populated megacities, or is it more suited to mid-sized urban areas? 

I believe it can work in both contexts, though the approach will differ. In megacities, creating  15-minute city zones or neighborhoods is more feasible than trying to transform the entire city at once. Each neighborhood can be designed to be more self-sufficient, reducing the need for cross-city travel. In mid-sized cities, it may be easier to implement citywide changes. The core principles—proximity, diversity, and sustainability—apply universally. 

You were present in Bucharest, as a special guest at the M100 Climate Neutrality Forum in Romania. How do you see the significance of the M100 platform in the European context, and what message did you hope to convey at this event? 

The M100 Climate Neutrality Forum is essential for fostering dialogue and collaboration around sustainability goals in Europe. My message focused on how the 15-minute city aligns with climate neutrality by promoting urban resilience, reducing carbon emissions, and  enhancing residents’ quality of life. I hope I have  inspired European cities to embrace proximity and localization in urban planning, viewing them as essential tools for a sustainable and  equitable future.