Manchester can be an overwhelming place buzzing with energy but what if everything you ever needed was just a short walk or bike ride away from your home?
The vision of ‘15-minute cities’, a concept designed to create multi-purpose neighbourhoods where all of life’s essentials are accessible within a 15-minute radius, has been embraced by some more than others.Imagine living in a city where everything you need is just a short walk or bike ride away.
This vision underpins the ‘15-minute city’, a concept designed to create multi-purpose neighbourhoods where all of life’s essentials are accessible within a 15-minute radius. Originally developed to reduce carbon emissions, this model also promises improved quality of life – minimising unnecessary travel, strengthening local communities, and boosting sustainability. With the rise of remote work, this concept is becoming increasingly relevant, especially in larger urban areas.
While cities like Paris and New York began implementing this concept many years ago, the UK has been much slower in adopting it. In 2021, Ipswich took a bold step by announcing its intentions to become the first 15-minute town in the UK, with work being carried out between 2022 and 2027 to achieve this vision.
The life insurance team at Compare the Market has used AI to envision what some of the most popular cities across the UK and the globe could look like as 15-minute cities.
A key objective of this concept is to cut down carbon emissions by minimising the need for car travel. The design also aims to boost the health of those living in the city, as instead of using a car, walking or cycling would become an easier and quicker mode of transport, while also offering a more sustainable travel alternative.
The designs also showcase a dramatic increase in green space throughout these cities; this will not only improve air quality but also encourage outdoor activities, promoting better mental and physical health among residents.
Central to the 15-minute city concept is the idea of proximity. The designs emphasise the creation of multi-functional central hubs where residents can access various services and amenities; this can help foster a stronger sense of community and enhance the city’s overall liveability.
