I’ve been hearing a lot about the 15-minute cities lately, and to be honest, I was a little freaked out by the idea at first. (It was first explained to me by
someone who was determined that it was a conspiracy theory directly related to the “big reset”… So I decided to take matters into my own hands and
do some research on the whole idea. I visited a few conspiracy sites, as well as numerous news and wiki-type sites. I wanted to get a better understanding of the “big picture”. In the process, I was surprised to find that we (Edmontonians) have already established a 15-minute community, and it’s been around for a while… The Village at Griesbach has committed to being a 15-minute community. From what I can tell, it is a thriving example of what a 15-minute community can be.
Then there’s Spruce Grove, also considered a 15-minute town except for doctors and specialists, and it also seems to be thriving.
In short, the 15-minute city is a new urban model that focuses on promoting a “people-centered” and environmentally sustainable urban future. At its core, the idea is that cities should be designed and laid out so that residents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, in all parts of the city, can access their daily needs (housing, jobs, food, health, education, culture and leisure) within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. This would promote healthier people within each community, both mentally and physically…
The ”Conspiracy theory” that
casts it in a negative light is as follows:
Researchers say the #15MinuteCity conspiracy theory has its roots in 2020, when activists linked to the fossil fuel lobby tried to push the idea of an impending “climate lockdown,” in which governments would ban people from using their cars, eating meat, or traveling outside their assigned districts. The idea gained momentum after conspiracy theorists latched onto a post-pandemic recovery initiative launched by the World Economic Forum think tank called “The Great Reset.” That, they decided, was code for the creation of a tyrannical world government.
The WEF website, which publishes hundreds of articles by academics and businessmen each year, has occasionally featured articles about 15-minute cities, which conspiracy theorists jumped on, linking the concept to the Great Reset.
I in no way endorse the WEF, as I personally think they are a bunch of rich people trying to make sure they stay that way at the expense of the rest of us.
Recently, a news outlet in Oxford, UK, noted that the local council had announced a traffic filter plan to reduce the number of cars and trucks passing through the city center. The plan would require residents to apply for permits to drive on certain streets.
It’s not really a 15-minute city initiative, but it was seized upon by right-wing commentators, including former MailOnline columnist Katie Hopkins. She and others linked the traffic-calming measures to restrictions on free movement, making a “spurious link” between building walkable cities and banning
cars.
The main “threat” perceived by 15-minute cities is as a means of social control. Conspiracy theorists claim that the idea of easily accessible amenities is a step toward keeping people in assigned areas against their will. Proponents of these theories were quick to include 15-minute cities in the “Great Reset” meta-conspiracy, which argues that efforts are underway to create a new world order in the wake of the pandemic. Now, I don’t know much about this New World Order stuff… I’ve spent my time researching issues a little closer to home. But I have “heard” a lot about it from 2nd and 3rd party sources. Some have given me pause about the whole subject and I may delve deeper into it at another time.
Some other things to think about:
In a walkable city, you don’t need a car, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a car. It makes sense to have amenities in your own neighborhood, but it doesn’t mean you can’t visit other parts of the city.
What “probably” fuels the conspiracies is where they state that they plan to restrict traffic between neighborhoods during rush hour, something they already do in Calgary. There are streets you cannot turn onto at certain times to prevent people from using residential streets to avoid traffic congestion…15-minute cities increase your freedom and autonomy by making driving a choice made by each individual for themselves rather than an obligation imposed upon them by city planners and zoning ordinances.
- 15-minute cities improve the driving experience by allowing people to choose not to drive, freeing up road space for those who choose to drive, and shortening some driving distances.
- 15-minute cities increase autonomy and personal freedom by giving people more time to get where they want to go by reducing the time it takes to get where they need to go.
- 15-minute cities increase personal choice when buying a car by reducing the pressure to be practical or pay more to own both a daily driver and a weekend fun car.
- 15-minute cities make it easier for families to choose more frequent or longer trips for weekend getaways by reducing the financial burden of a second car.
- Eliminating parking minimums takes parking decisions out of the hands of city officials and puts them squarely in the hands of the free market for private businesses to decide.
- Eliminating parking minimums removes the burden on private business owners to subsidize driving by paying for unprofitable parking spaces.