Episode Summary: "The 15 Minute City"

99% Invisible, hosted by Roman Mars, delves deep into the concept of the "15 Minute City," exploring its origins, implementations, and the unforeseen backlash it has garnered worldwide. This episode unpacks the intricate layers of urban planning, societal reactions, and the intersection of design with politics.

1. Introduction to the 15 Minute City

The episode opens with Roman Mars recounting a significant protest in Oxford, England, in February 2023. Protesters, clad in yellow safety vests and wielding signs against local government policies, marked a pivotal moment in the global conversation about urban planning.

Roman Mars [00:01]: "In February 2023, protesters took to the streets of Oxford, England... holding flags and signs with complaints about the local government."

Chris Berube, the episode’s producer, explains that these protests were specifically against new urban planning policies inspired by the "15 Minute City" concept.

2. Origins of the 15 Minute City

The concept of the 15 Minute City was conceptualized by Professor Carlos Moreno from Sorbonne University. It aims to redesign urban spaces so that all essential services (like supermarkets, schools, parks) are accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from one’s residence.

Fergus O'Sullivan [01:13]: "In a nutshell, the 15 minute city concept is the idea that everything that a person needs within a city should be theoretically reachable within 15 minutes of their home by either walking or active travel or public transport."

This idea builds upon earlier urban planning philosophies, notably those advocated by Jane Jacobs, emphasizing walkable neighborhoods and mixed-use developments.

3. Implementation in Global Cities

Several cities worldwide have adopted the 15 Minute City framework to enhance livability and combat climate change. Paris, under Mayor Anne Hidalgo, became a flagship model, integrating policies like expanded cycling lanes, pedestrianized zones, and increased green spaces.

Fergus O'Sullivan [07:44]: "By the late 20th century, a lot of these ideas were becoming best practices in urban planning. So Professor Moreno... gave them a new package."

Other cities like Shanghai, Buenos Aires, and even unexpected locales like Cleveland, Ohio, have initiated plans to emulate this model, aiming to create more sustainable and human-centric urban environments.

4. The Intersection with Conspiracy Theories

Despite its benign intentions, the 15 Minute City became entangled with far-right conspiracy theories, particularly during the tumultuous summer of 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Opposition groups falsely equated the concept with authoritarian control, suggesting it would lead to restrictions on movement and personal freedoms.

Fergus O'Sullivan [17:28]: "Anti lockdown activism bled into anti 15 minute cities activism."

Influential figures like Jordan Peterson amplified these unfounded fears, linking the 15 Minute City to broader conspiracies like the "Great Reset," a misrepresented initiative by the World Economic Forum.

Chris Berube [21:20]: "Jordan Peterson... tweets some charts about the 15 Minute City and the great reset."

5. Impact on Urban Planner Carlos Moreno

The backlash reached a personal level for Professor Moreno, who found himself and his family targets of severe online harassment and death threats. His role as an urban planner was misconstrued, leading to distressing public vilification.

Carlos Moreno [23:35]: "I received the photo of the demonstration for saying Moreno is Pol Pot, Moreno is Hitler... It was very, very difficult."

Despite the harassment, Moreno continued to advocate for the 15 Minute City, eventually authoring a book to further elucidate and defend his vision.

Carlos Moreno [35:03]: "The 15 Minute City... is available now."

6. Municipal Responses to Protests and Backlash

Cities like Edmonton, Alberta, faced intense protests against their adoption of the 15 Minute City framework. City councilors like Erin Rutherford navigated the contentious landscape, balancing policy implementation with public dissent fueled by misinformation.

Erin Rutherford [15:01]: "It's the default is obviously the car at this point."

In Oxford, following massive protests, the city opted to shelve the "15 Minute City" nomenclature to quell unrest, though the underlying policies continued.

Fergus O'Sullivan [31:09]: "You can get rid of the 15 Minute City concept and keep the policies because all it is is literally thinking about what's in your area within a 15 minute radius of your home."

7. Current State and Future Implications

The episode concludes with reflections on the resilience of urban planning concepts amidst societal pushback. While some cities have persevered with the 15 Minute City framework, the broader debate underscores the challenges of implementing progressive urban designs in a polarized environment.

Chris Berube [35:03]: "In the next couple of years, I feel like any hope for positive change is going to be at the local level."

Roman Mars expresses concern over the sustainability of such positive changes given the intense opposition and the potential chilling effect on future urban innovations.

Roman Mars [36:04]: "How many people are going to be like Carlos Moreno."

Conclusion

"The 15 Minute City" episode of 99% Invisible offers a comprehensive exploration of a transformative urban planning concept. It highlights the delicate balance between visionary design and societal acceptance, emphasizing the profound impact of misinformation in shaping public discourse. As cities worldwide continue to evolve, the lessons from Oxford, Paris, and Edmonton serve as critical touchstones for future urban development endeavors.

Notable Quotes:

• Carlos Moreno [08:56]: "This is not a question to build a Louvre museum every 15 minutes. This is not a question to build a cancer hospital every 15 minutes."

• Erin Rutherford [28:46]: "No one in the government wants to lose their job and people don't want to."

• Fergus O'Sullivan [31:09]: "You can get rid of the 15 Minute City concept and keep the policies..."

This episode underscores the profound influence of design on daily life and the unforeseen challenges that accompany innovative urban solutions. It serves as a testament to the enduring dialogue between progress and preservation in the ever-evolving tapestry of cityscapes.