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September 27, 2024 | By Ignatia Belle
You’ve probably heard about 15 minute cities on social media or lately. It’s a concept that’s gaining momentum, especially as governments tackle climate change and push for sustainable living. Imagine a place where everything you need, like work, groceries, and entertainment, is within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from your home. It sounds like a dream, right? Well, it’s becoming a reality in many cities around the globe. But how does Australia measure up?
You’ve probably heard about 15 minute cities on social media or lately. It’s a concept that’s gaining momentum, especially as governments tackle climate change and push for sustainable living. The idea is simple: create cities where residents have access to essential services, shops, schools, parks, and entertainment within 15 minutes of their homes. You wouldn’t need to rely on cars as much, and commuting would be easier and shorter.
The goal isn’t to trap you in a bubble. You’re not confined to that 15-minute radius but are encouraged to live in a diverse neighbourhood where work, leisure, and daily essentials are nearby. The concept, popularised by Parisian professor Carlos Moreno, focuses on health, sustainability, and equity. It’s about reclaiming time and improving quality of life.
Globally, several cities are leading the charge in becoming 15-minute cities. Places like Paris, Geneva, and Berlin offer some of the best examples. In these cities, residents can walk to work, visit parks, grab coffee, and take their kids to school—all within 15 minutes. The appeal is obvious: reduced car reliance, less traffic, and healthier lifestyles.
Studies have shown that the closer you live to services, the better your quality of life. That’s why many cities across Europe are focusing on creating compact, accessible communities. Unfortunately, Australian cities didn’t make the cut in recent research on 15 minute cities. However, the country isn’t too far behind.
No Australian city made the list of the world’s top 15-minute cities, but some are on the right track. Hobart, for instance, clocks in at 16 minutes—just shy of the ideal. Sydney and Melbourne follow closely, but Brisbane, at the other end of the spectrum, averages 25 minutes. This gap between inner-city and suburban areas is a major factor that holds Australia back.
– Hobart: 16 minutes
– Melbourne: 17 minutes
– Canberra: 17 minutes
– Sydney: 19 minutes
– Adelaide: 19 minutes
– Darwin: 22 minutes
– Perth: 24 minutes
– Brisbane: 25 minutes
According to Dr. Alan Both from the Australian Urban Observatory, Australian cities are more spread out than their European counterparts. The Nature Cities study states that suburban sprawl and low population density make it harder for services to be within a 15 minute radius. While many Australians are close to public transport stops, the frequency of services isn’t always reliable.
For most Australians, commuting takes up a significant portion of their day. The average Australian spends 48 minutes commuting daily. This has increased by 20% since 2002, with workers now dedicating nearly 4.5 hours each week to travel. And Sydneysiders? They have it the worst, with an average commute of 71 minutes per day.
Commuting adds up. If you live in Sydney and work 48 weeks a year, you spend around 356 hours commuting annually—that’s over nine full working weeks just spent in transit! For those travelling more than 30 kilometres to work, commutes can stretch to 95 minutes each day, adding up to almost eight hours of travel per week. Not only is this time-consuming, but it’s also exhausting, especially for parents with young children.
The increasing length of commutes are just the tip of the iceberg for how far modern professionals and families travel by car. From grocery shopping and school runs to social visits, hospital trips and taking holidays, today’s population travel further and to more locations than ever before – locations that are often many miles apart from one another.
This, coupled with the exponential growth of our cities and networks, have led many urban planners to review the way our cities and neighbourhoods are designed, in an effort to counteract the increasing greenhouse gas emissions that result from travelling.
So, why do 15-minute cities matter so much? First, they reduce car dependence. Fewer cars on the road mean less traffic congestion, lower carbon emissions, and healthier air quality. These are significant wins, especially as more cities strive to meet sustainability goals.
Then, there’s the issue of time. Imagine being able to walk or bike to work, pick up your groceries, and drop your kids off at school—all in a short, 15-minute window. That means more time for family, hobbies, or simply relaxing. It’s a lifestyle many are starting to crave, particularly in our fast-paced, modern world.
Finally, 15-minute cities promote equity. By bringing essential services closer to all residents, these cities help level the playing field. You don’t have to live in an affluent area to have access to good schools, healthcare, and public spaces. It’s about making cities work for everyone, regardless of where you live.
While 15-minute cities are growing in popularity globally, what does the future hold for Australia? Can Australian cities adapt to this model, or is it more suited to European cities with their dense and compact layouts? With sprawling suburbs and lower population density, will it be practical for Australia to redesign its urban spaces?
Could better public transport frequency and more compact neighbourhoods bring Australia closer to the **15-minute city** ideal? Or will the car-centric lifestyle and suburban sprawl continue to dominate? How much are we, as a society, willing to adjust our cities and lifestyles to fit this model?
Technology might play a role, but how much of a difference could apps and digital tools make in reshaping the way we move around our cities? Would improvements in public transport be enough to close the gap, or would more drastic urban redesigns be required?
As Australian cities evolve, is there a balance between preserving our sprawling landscapes and increasing accessibility? Or is the concept of 15-minute cities too idealistic for Australia’s unique geography and culture? The future may hold answers, but for now, let’s continue to explore ways to make commuting easier. After all, no one wants to spend hours in traffic when they could be spending that time with loved ones or enjoying their day.
Here’s to a most sustainable future!
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