The European Union – and Spain with it – continues to advance in its sustainable mobility plans. One of them is as worrying as it is controversial, especially among some sectors of society. They want to implement the closest thing to locking citizens in cities, and our country could soon do the same. A hint: it will do it in the same place where the United States presented its mysterious robot last week.
15-minute cities: from “conspiracy theory” to real proposal
Fifteen-minute cities is a relatively new urban planning concept that is gaining popularity around the world. The basic idea is to redesign cities so that residents can access basic and essential services within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes.
The main objective is to improve the quality of urban life by making it easier and more pleasant to move around the city without relying on motorized transport. Neighborhoods are intended to have a character of their own with stores, schools, green areas and many other services accessible within a short walk or bike ride.
This reduces motorized travel, encourages active mobility and creates more cohesive communities. Haven’t you heard this as a “conspiracy theory”? Well, it’s been made real to improve sustainability, as you might imagine.
An idea that could work: the benefits of the 15-minute city
15-minute cities are characterized by offering residents access to basic services within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from home. This implies a dense city, with a mix of residential and commercial uses in the neighborhoods (the complete opposite of today).
Some of the main features that define these cities are:
- Accessibility: most daily needs such as work, school, shopping and leisure are within a 15-minute walk. This favors walking or cycling.
- Proximity: neighborhoods are designed to be close to everything and avoid long commutes. Proximity saves time and quality of life.
- Sustainability: the model seeks to reduce pollution by minimizing the use of private cars. It is committed to sustainable means.
- Quality of life: neighbors enjoy quieter, safer and healthier environments, gaining time for socializing and activities.
- Social cohesion: neighborhood interaction increases as they share more services and public spaces nearby. Like Spain in the 1960s, but in the 21st century and without the chairs.
The Spanish city that is already going to try out this idea: controversy and expectation
Spain, like other countries, is joining this trend of proximity or 15-minute cities. Several Spanish cities are already adopting this urban planning model or plan to do so in the near future. They have tried it in Valencia, Zaragoza or Vitoria, but there is one that is more likely.
The city of Barcelona is the one that is already testing this concept, and it is not surprising that they will do so. Is it not perhaps the one that has one of the best urban planning in our country. It covers the center, with the Eixample, the Gran Vía de Les Corts Catalanes and, of course, the area of Las Ramblas.
The capital, Madrid, did not fall short either. It set itself the challenge of becoming a 15-minute city through its Madrid 360 strategy. The consistory is traffic in the center, but wanted to expand sidewalks and encourage non-motorized travel. However, you know how this project ended.
At this point, no one doubts that 15-minute cities are the future, although it will not be without controversy. The European Union looks favorably on this plan, and there are several places in our country that are interested. However, there are still proposals that cause more anger. An example? This is the car color that will be banned this year.
