It’s an idea in urban planning to design neighborhoods where everything a resident needs- housing, groceries, schools, jobs, and amenities- all exist together in the space of a fifteen minute walk.
As the other responses said, yes, it’s the same basic concept. But I think it’s important to highlight that the idea of putting everything together in walking distance long predates the Soviet Union, and it’s really just how cities were made for thousands of years before the invention of cars. Up until the 1930s, American cities and suburbs were built as 15 minute cities, and neighborhoods built at that time are often some of the most walkable neighborhoods today.
This. Even before the anti-15 minute city hysteria, affordability was always the stumbling block to walkable cities and neighborhoods. For years I’ve heard some variation of “I’d love to live in a place like this, but it’s too expensive to rent/buy here.”
Where I live there are some suburban areas that were built in the 1910’s-20’s. It is mostly single and duplex homes, but every few streets or so there’s a largish commercial building on a corner that would have had a grocery, laundromat, barber/salon etc. We had this “15 minute city” shit figured out 100 years ago ffs.
Unfortunately most of these buildings are either vacant or were converted into houses years ago. Some of them are still used for their original intended purpose and people in the neighborhoods do walk to them.
I love how the Soviet concept differs from, say, Milton Keynes style box district planning by acknowledging the need for a central district for entertainment as well, where different districts can mix together.
Well I was also thinking in terms of clinics, medicine stores, schools, etc. But apparently even having groceries within walking distance is a new experience for the yanks
Where I live, there’s a grocery store around the corner, just need to walk the length of the apartment building - so maybe 5 minutes tops. A kindergarten is directly next door, and a school just beyond that - I’d say 10+ minutes walk. Two other groceries, multiple drug stores and the outpatient clinic are 10-15 minutes walk, they’re next to the road.
I don’t know how people live not like that. Not sure I want to know. I guess they have less noise from the neighbors?
im not sure if this chain is outside of the U.S., but its called Aldi and its reasonably big but super cheap. and if i need anything bigger there is a Meijer about 5 minutes away (also not sure if Meijer is an international thing)
First time hearing about these “15 minute cities”. Can anyone give me a rundown, please?
It’s an idea in urban planning to design neighborhoods where everything a resident needs- housing, groceries, schools, jobs, and amenities- all exist together in the space of a fifteen minute walk.
Thanks. So it’s basically a rehashing of the Soviet microdistrict concept?
As the other responses said, yes, it’s the same basic concept. But I think it’s important to highlight that the idea of putting everything together in walking distance long predates the Soviet Union, and it’s really just how cities were made for thousands of years before the invention of cars. Up until the 1930s, American cities and suburbs were built as 15 minute cities, and neighborhoods built at that time are often some of the most walkable neighborhoods today.
They’re also the most pricey
Capitalist irony drives me bonkers
This. Even before the anti-15 minute city hysteria, affordability was always the stumbling block to walkable cities and neighborhoods. For years I’ve heard some variation of “I’d love to live in a place like this, but it’s too expensive to rent/buy here.”
Where I live there are some suburban areas that were built in the 1910’s-20’s. It is mostly single and duplex homes, but every few streets or so there’s a largish commercial building on a corner that would have had a grocery, laundromat, barber/salon etc. We had this “15 minute city” shit figured out 100 years ago ffs.
Unfortunately most of these buildings are either vacant or were converted into houses years ago. Some of them are still used for their original intended purpose and people in the neighborhoods do walk to them.
Yes. That makes it communism. Which makes it bad. Better dead than red!
Yes, same basic principle
I love how the Soviet concept differs from, say, Milton Keynes style box district planning by acknowledging the need for a central district for entertainment as well, where different districts can mix together.
It’s also how most of the rest of the world is like. I can walk to 3 different grocery stores within 15 min, more if I take a bus or tram.
Well I was also thinking in terms of clinics, medicine stores, schools, etc. But apparently even having groceries within walking distance is a new experience for the yanks
it takes 10 minutes to get to a grocery store by bike where i live
what kind of magic is this???
Where I live, there’s a grocery store around the corner, just need to walk the length of the apartment building - so maybe 5 minutes tops. A kindergarten is directly next door, and a school just beyond that - I’d say 10+ minutes walk. Two other groceries, multiple drug stores and the outpatient clinic are 10-15 minutes walk, they’re next to the road.
I don’t know how people live not like that. Not sure I want to know. I guess they have less noise from the neighbors?
i have a big backpack and just head over the the grocery store by bike. its always lik a 30 minute trip.
Is it at least a large store?
im not sure if this chain is outside of the U.S., but its called Aldi and its reasonably big but super cheap. and if i need anything bigger there is a Meijer about 5 minutes away (also not sure if Meijer is an international thing)