The concept of the “15-minute city” has gained popularity as an innovative urban planning strategy designed to improve residents’ quality of life and reduce dependence on motorized transport. This model promotes proximity as its central principle, proposing that all essential services—such as work, leisure, shopping, and healthcare—should be accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from anywhere in the city. Authors such as Carlos Moreno and Janette Sadik-Khan have led the discussion around this concept, arguing that its implementation can profoundly transform cities, making them more sustainable, equitable, and livable. Carlos Moreno, one of the leading advocates of the concept, argues that the 15-minute city offers an efficient solution to many contemporary urban problems, such as traffic congestion, air pollution, and the lack of personal time caused by long commutes.
In his proposal, Moreno emphasizes that proximity is key to a more balanced urban life, where people can enjoy their surroundings and easily access everything they need without depending on a car. By reducing the need to travel long distances, carbon emissions are lowered while also encouraging a healthier lifestyle, with more time for physical activity and social interaction. Meanwhile, Janette Sadik-Khan, widely recognized for her work as transportation commissioner in New York City, has been a strong advocate for transforming public space to favor pedestrians and cyclists. Sadik-Khan argues that the success of 15-minute cities depends on creating infrastructure that prioritizes people over vehicles.
This includes building safe and well-connected bicycle lane networks, widening sidewalks, and converting streets into pedestrian zones. According to Sadik-Khan, these interventions not only facilitate active transport, but also revitalize neighborhoods by increasing safety, supporting local commerce, and strengthening community ties. Both authors agree that implementing 15-minute cities requires a comprehensive approach that includes both physical planning and service coordination. Moreno emphasizes that achieving this vision requires reconfiguring the urban fabric and decentralizing services so that each neighborhood functions as a self-sufficient unit.
This includes not only supermarkets and health centers, but also green spaces, sports facilities, cultural venues, and educational institutions. By doing so, the concentration of services in city centers is reduced and a more equitable distribution of urban resources is promoted. However, both Moreno and Sadik-Khan recognize the challenges involved in implementing this model. Resistance to change, especially in cities designed around the automobile, can be a significant obstacle.
Sadik-Khan warns that traffic reorganization policies and restrictions on car use may generate opposition from those accustomed to motorized mobility. To overcome this barrier, she suggests that local governments should accompany these changes with public awareness campaigns and improved public and active transportation options, so that the transition toward proximity is perceived as beneficial to all. Finally, both Moreno and Sadik-Khan stress that 15-minute cities are not only a mobility strategy, but also an opportunity to build more inclusive and resilient cities. By reducing inequalities in access to services, this model has the potential to improve quality of life for all citizens, regardless of where they live or their socioeconomic status.
In addition, by encouraging closer distances and the use of non-polluting transport modes, it makes a significant contribution to the fight against climate change. In conclusion, the concept of 15-minute cities, championed by Carlos Moreno and Janette Sadik-Khan, offers a transformative vision for the future of cities. By placing proximity at the center of urban design, this model has the potential to create more sustainable, equitable, and livable environments where citizens can enjoy a better quality of life without depending on motorized transport. Although its implementation presents challenges, its adoption could be key to addressing the environmental and social challenges of contemporary cities.
