Walking distance: A growing number of city leaders around the world are embracing an urbanist idea popularized by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo: the “15-minute city,” whereby residents' shopping, work, recreational and cultural needs are no more than a short walk or bike ride from home. New recommendations by C40 Cities, an international coalition of mayors focused on climate change and sustainability, suggest the idea could help cities recover from the financial devastation of Covid-19.
The concept is simple: Putting things closer together expands access and helps small businesses. It reduces the role of cars and prioritizes development that makes cities more pedestrian-friendly. And while the plan may be harder to implement in places without a reliable transit system or a dense urban core like in Paris, experts tell contributor Patrick Sisson that it is achievable in cities of any size. Today on CityLab: How the ‘15-Minute City’ Could Help Post-Pandemic Recovery
