Don’t be rude Dominik. Peter isn’t being silly.Anyway, here’s something for you to read, as you’ve clearly missed it first time round.What you don’t acknowledge Dominik is that there are plenty of obstacles to your utopian ideal, as outlined in this extract from a UCEM article published in December. Playing down the genuine problems the 15/20 minute city concept will create doesn’t make you a ‘grown up’ either.As you might recall from the LTN trial imposed on us in 2020 much of the proclaimed ‘benefits’ proved to be untrue. So why expect anyone to believe the new claims.‘The concept has also attracted fair criticism from planning professionals:Fuelling class divisionsMany fear that the implementation of the 15-minute city strategy will drive further inequality in cities and fuel class divisions, pricing out people with lower incomes from being able to live in and even access certain areas.Obstacles to implementationImplementing this urban planning model on a large scale – particularly in cities and towns that are already well established – requires significant coordination and oversight. It’s a process that is bound to encounter obstacles, from overhauling transportation planning and providing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to regulatory barriers, equity and funding.Increase congestionDespite its aim to reduce traffic, one concern of the 15-minute city model is actually the impact it could have on congestion. Part of implementing this plan will require the transformation of existing transportation planning and routes, which can actually create more traffic and congestion outside of these areas if not handled appropriately.Mobility concerns for those with disabilitiesWhile this urban planning concept might improve accessibility for some, there are concerns that it could actually exacerbate difficulty for others, particularly people with disabilities.As author Anna Zivarts commented in an article for Bloomberg:‘Focusing on this 15-minute window of “easy time” puts us into the mindset of prioritising efficiency, which fits conveniently into a framework that values speed over access.’Many argue that the concept of a 15-minute journey is relative, and for those with disabilities, this planning framework fails to cater to them and will actually make accessing facilities for them even more difficult.Overwhelming of essential services and facilitiesAnother potential drawback of this concept is its impact on facilities and services. If residents are conditioned to travel to amenities within a 15-minute walk, ride or bus journey, healthcare services can eventually become overrun in areas with higher population density – particularly during seasonal illness and in situations like the COVID pandemic.’
Simon Hayes ● 89d