Circular economy, ecological transition, future: three concepts at the heart of Circonomia, the festival of circular economy and ecological transition, which hosted a week ago a lecture by Carlos Moreno, internationally renowned urban planner, professor at the Sorbonne and advisor to Anne Hidalgo Mayor from Paris. Some of the models put forward by Moreno are widely used today. The concept of the Human Smart City, for example, refers to the vision of a city that not only integrates technology into its infrastructure, but also takes the human aspect into account. According to the theory, a Human Smart City should actually improve the quality of life of its residents, focusing on areas such as social cohesion, civic participation, culture, health and education. This approach to urban planning and design therefore considers the entire ecosystem, including physical and digital infrastructure, as well as human elements.
However, if we speak of the city of 15 minutes (by the way: a book by Natalie Whittle has recently been published on this subject by Il Margin publishing house), we are dealing with a model of the city that allows all the inhabitants of the city to live in needs in walking – or bike distance from your home. These are needs such as work, shopping, education and leisure. In this sense, the pandemic has given a boost to the concept, highlighting the need for local resources and services and reducing the need for commuting. Finally, “area within 30 minutes” means that essential services and opportunities should be accessible to everyone living in a given area within a 30-minute drive, regardless of their mode of transport. This concept supports a more decentralized model of urban planning and takes regional networking into account. “These models,” explains Moreno, whom we interviewed during his lecture at the festival, “are born out of the need for sustainable urban development.” With rapid urbanization and the growth of cities, there is a growing recognition of the need to increase to create people-centric, more sustainable and resilient urban spaces. This is reflected in urban planning philosophies that prioritize walking, cycling, public transportation, mixed-use zoning, and the integration of green space into urban design. Technologies such as IoT, AI and data analytics play a key role in enabling concepts and offering the opportunity to analyze and optimize urban environments.”
ⓢ Which aspects complicate the implementation of the city in 15 minutes?
In practice, the 15-minute city concept poses a number of challenges. These include, for example, zoning laws: In many cities there are strict zoning laws that separate residential, commercial and industrial areas from one another. Implementation of the 15 Minute City will require an overhaul of these laws to allow for mixed-use zoning, where residential, office, grocery and recreational areas can be in the same neighborhood. In addition to zoning laws, there are other issues such as distance to work, as not all work can be decentralized and located close to home. While remote work and telecommuting can solve this problem to some extent, we must try to redistribute the way we work and develop places with a blended approach. And then there is the challenge of cultural change: The 15 Minute City requires a profound change in people’s behavior and lifestyle. People should embrace local life, which could mean a big change, especially in societies that value mobility and have a strong car culture. Despite these challenges, 15 Minute City presents a vision of a more sustainable and people-centric urban environment. However, it requires a holistic approach that combines urban planning, community development, transport planning and technological innovation.
ⓢ What are we talking about in relation to this model when we talk about circular economy?
In the context of cities and in line with the 15-minute city approach, the circular economy can have several impacts: for example, cities can design shared spaces and services that reduce the need to own individual goods. This could include shared transportation, object libraries (utensils, kitchen appliances), and co-working spaces within 15 minutes. This reduces material consumption and waste and is in line with the circular economy. In addition, circular cities can encourage local businesses that produce and sell goods in the same area, making goods more accessible and reducing transport emissions and packaging waste. Local food production, such as on urban farms and community gardens, also reduces the need for long-distance transportation, packaging and associated waste. It also allows local organic waste to be composted, thereby returning nutrients to the soil. The buildings in a 15-minute city can be made or retrofitted to be more energy efficient, reducing waste. The use of modular designs and reusable materials can also facilitate the retrofitting of buildings as needs change, thereby reducing construction and demolition waste. Active transportation, walking and cycling are also encouraged, reducing the need for cars and their emissions. This is in line with the circular economy and reduces the waste associated with automotive manufacturing and disposal. In fact, circular cities consider waste as a resource. Local waste management systems can recycle materials and compost organic waste, turning it into new resources within the city. Of course, implementing a circular economy within the 15 Minute City framework would require systemic changes in the way cities themselves are designed and managed, including changes in policies, infrastructure and behavior. It would require collaboration between planners, businesses and local residents, but the benefits include greater sustainability, resilience and quality of life.
ⓢ At the meeting you held in Alba at Circonomia, the festival for circular economy and ecological transition, you said that mayors are doing more than government to fight climate change.
Mayors and city governments often have greater flexibility and direct control over local policies and regulations that affect the environment, which can allow them to act faster and more effectively in the fight against climate change. Furthermore, the impacts of climate change are often felt most directly in cities, making local action on climate change not just a priority, but a necessity. In Paris, for example, significant progress has been made in the fight against climate change in terms of mobility, green spaces, building efficiency, etc., under the leadership of Mayor Anne Hidalgo. The city has also committed to moving away from fossil fuels and investing in renewable energy. Efforts have been made to increase local food production, reduce food waste and improve waste management and recycling. And at a strategic level, on Monday 5 June 2023, the City of Paris will vote on the first bioclimatic local urban plan. This is an international first that defines a city policy for the years to come that prioritizes commitment to the climate. While national and international policies and agreements remain vital to tackling climate change, the role of cities and local governments is increasingly recognized as equally important.
ⓢ Could a problem in applying these theories be the economic imbalances in very different areas?
The concept of a city in 15 minutes implies that all essential services and amenities such as jobs, groceries, schools and health care are within walking or cycling distance of every resident. Therefore, careful planning and action is required to ensure that the benefits of the concept are shared equally across all areas of the city. Economic imbalance or inequality between different sectors is a significant issue that needs to be addressed in planning and implementation. This includes measures such as investing in deprived neighborhoods to improve local amenities and services and to promote affordable housing in all neighborhoods, to maintain balanced income levels in neighborhoods and to ensure that public transport is efficient, accessible and connects all parts of the city, to avoid community isolation.
ⓢ What role has Covid played in these problems?
It has accelerated change by drawing attention to the importance of having resources close at hand. The shift to remote work has reduced the need for daily commutes, making it easier for people to live, work and meet their daily needs in their own neighborhoods, and urban spaces have been re-evaluated. However, the pandemic has also highlighted existing inequalities in access to services and facilities that could pose a challenge to the implementation of the 15-minute city model. I believe that the experience of the pandemic could influence future urban planning.
ⓢ You have been working on this project for over ten years. Why has it only become so popular now?
Because it responds to many of the challenges cities are currently facing and offers a vision for a more sustainable, resilient and livable urban future. This concept has recently gained popularity and attention thanks to the concurrence of several key factors: the pandemic, as we have already said, but not only that, since the urgency of combating climate change is becoming more and more evident and cities are looking for strategies to deal with it fight reduce their carbon emissions. In addition, advances in digital technology have made certain aspects easier to do.
ⓢ How do you react to criticism of your theories?
Conspiracy theories claiming that the 15 Minute City concept is a plan to control citizens or limit their freedoms are fundamentally flawed, as the model is actually aimed at improving the quality of life, promoting local self-government, the connections between communities to strengthen and promote sustainability and equitable urban development. For example, critics wonder whether the concept of the 15-minute city can be implemented in large cities with established infrastructure and a culture that has always been car-oriented. While the transition to a 15-minute city is different depending on the context in which it is located, incremental changes, such as investing in an active transport infrastructure, improving public transport or implementing zoning reforms, will create a mixed-use one Development can gradually lead cities to this goal. Some fear that reducing dependency on cars and long commutes could negatively impact some sectors of the economy. But while economic changes can be challenging, they also offer growth opportunities in new sectors such as renewable energy, urban agriculture and local businesses. Some critics suggest that this model could lead to homogenous neighborhoods and the loss of the vibrant city life that draws many people to cities. It’s important to note that this concept doesn’t necessarily eliminate the need for commuting or moving from one city to another, it merely minimizes the need for it. Ensuring diverse, mixed-use development within neighborhoods can sustain vibrant urban life while allowing for shorter commutes for everyday needs. However, it is clear that implementing this concept would require careful planning, investment and strong political will.