Have an old-fashioned chat! 💡
What began as a misunderstanding (for me) under a post I uploaded on experiencing the 15-minute city lifestyle (in a city essentially with decades of common sense urban planning) led to a very thoughtful exchange and also agreeing to meet for a live chat on liveable cities.
This was not my 1st time chatting with Robert Lipka, an Urban Designer at the City of Edmonton and I genuinely appreciate each opportunity to hear his insights and have a live exchange.
Our chat yesterday quite rapidly became an incredibly multilayered conversation, getting into why many people (not the conspiracy people) are triggered by the ‘branding’ of the 15-minute city concept, either considering it gimmicky or simply new packaging for old paradigm- the latter of which I do agree with though I appreciate how the ‘new packaging’ has truly inspired a movement across the world.
We also discussed the more suspect negative reactions to 15-minute city, namely the conspiracists and the entrance of concepts of freedom into the discussion- always peculiar for me as true inclusive ’15-minute city’ planning should raise the quality of life for individuals of many generations (and mobility styles) rather than restrict it.
Having experienced living in towns and cities that embody the ’15-minute city’ characteristics, I can only attest that the effect on my life was that of liberation
Robert also reflected on having grown up in essentially a ‘5-minute city’ (at neighborhood level) so he also understood the concept from this deeply personal, lived experience
However, we did reflect that the topic of 15-minute city can cause a knee-jerk reaction in North America often due simply to the terrible quality of pedestrian infrastructure. How can people envision being able to zip around their 15-min community for all their needs when they cannot even safely walk 5 minutes to a store due to lack of or terrible quality sidewalks
There is also the mentality and culture dimension. Coming from the USA, having grown up in suburbs and driving everywhere to do everything, I am deeply familiar with this. Robert reflected on it as the ‘I’ve got my house, my plot, my car – I have arrived’ mentality and also the backlash to the 15-minute city concept as a ‘European model’ (though we both know and have experienced the lifestyle in North America at neighborhood or town level)
We also reflected on the potentials and challenges of the suburbs and the reality of a lack of a culture of pedestrian mobility (where the infrastructure and space for such may already exist).
Ultimately, what was fascinating is that we both understand car-centric & motonormative culture (not all walkability advocates do- or want to) and have a genuine motivation to discuss & ideate on how we can create more walkable, livable communities andshift behaviors as well as systems away from car dominance
Looking forward to continued dialogue Robert and thank you!
UPDATE!
Following the above ‘off record’ and very interesting discussion, Robert and I met up again to circle back to many of these themes discussed for a recorded chat. Enjoy the conversation below!