The 15-minute city is a powerful concept reshaping cities worldwide (and inspiring our own Quarter-hour Paradise!) But what are the top two things *all* Kiwis seem to want, closest to home? Tune in to find out! [update: recording linked]

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Notice something about this picture – the classic 15-minute city image?

Besides being a lovely bit of graphic work (by Micael Dessin for Paris en Commun, here translated), it’s got a LOT of stuff all within 15 minutes’ walk, scoot or bike. Everything from groceries to work!

In a really big city like Paris, this makes more sense than in a smaller place like… Wellington, or Lower Hutt, or indeed most NZ cities and towns – where we simply have fewer of the things (schools, workplaces, pools, medical services, corner stores) overall, because we’ve fewer of the people.

So, in quarter-hour paradise-ing our towns and cities, what amenities are top of the pops to ensure we cluster around the most homes, and build the most homes near?

What’s OK to have a bit further out (see “catchments”) – perhaps after a (nice, reliable, quick) public transport trip?

The Wellington Regional Leadership Committee (the what?) is hosting this great event below. Companion thinking for your musings on the Quarter-hour Paradise… and you may be surprised to learn what two things are at the top of Kiwis’ wish lists for having close to home!

What do people really want for their neighbourhoods and cities? 

There is growing discussion of the 15/20 minute city/neighbourhood concept as a means to reduce carbon emissions, increase liveability, or make local economies more resilient, but how do we translate this agenda from a top-down technical expert exercise, to one that recognises difference and equity?

In this talk, Dr White will reveal findings from a national survey conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2020 aiming to provide evidence on these issues, and so provide insights on what people want from good planning. Iain will discuss various data from the national survey, such as which amenities people prefer to live closer to, how much time people will travel for various amenities, and how this differs between walking, cycling or micro-mobility, between populations, and between time of day. In doing so it provides potential interest to policy-makers looking for evidence to inform city/regional strategies, or how to temper growth imperatives with a parallel focus on growing well and navigating the difficult local politics involved with urban change.

Webinar details

When: 10:00 – 11:00am, Wednesday 9th November (25min talk, + Q&A)
Online: link upon registration
To register: please email hello@wrlc.org.nz

Bring your questions, challenges and ideas, we hope to see you there!

[UPDATE: here’s the webinar recording!]

Tags: 15 minute city, research