
Cities are changing, and the “15-Minute City” might be the biggest shift yet. It’s a simple but powerful idea: everything you need, from work and groceries to schools and parks, should be within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from your home. No long commutes, no endless traffic, just convenience and community.
But as this idea spreads from Paris to Toronto, it’s also sparking controversy. Some see it as the future of sustainable, human-centered living, while others believe it’s a Trojan horse for government control, surveillance, and restricted movement. What started as an urban planning vision has now become a flashpoint in online culture wars and conspiracy theories.
In this episode, we explore:
• What the 15-Minute City really means and how it began
• Why it gained momentum after the pandemic
• The benefits of local living and how it could reshape city life
• The fears and misinformation fueling backlash
• How this concept could change real estate, development, and the way we think about space
• The real challenges cities face trying to make it happen
The 15-Minute City sits at the intersection of design, politics, and trust, a test of whether society can adapt to a new way of living without fear of taking the wheel.
Subscribe for more deep dives into the trends redefining how we live, work, and move through our cities.