The idea of the 15-minute city is rapidly gaining momentum in the UK planning world, and for good reason. Originally developed by Professor Carlos Moreno, the concept envisions communities where everything you need for daily life – work, education, healthcare, shops, parks, and leisure – is accessible within a 15-minute walk or cycle from home. For town planning in England, this model has exciting implications for creating healthier, more sustainable, and more connected places to live.
This idea came into sharper focus recently when our marketing consultant returned from a weekend with her family at Center Parcs. She was inspired by the simple joy of living car-free for a few days – cycling everywhere, being surrounded by nature, and watching children enjoy the freedom of safe, traffic-free spaces. It sparked a team conversation: why don’t we live like this more often?
Why the 15-Minute City Matters
In an age where environmental sustainability, mental health, and quality of life are more important than ever, the 15-minute city challenges the status quo of car-centric development. It encourages mixed-use neighbourhoods, walkable streets, accessible green spaces, and strong local economies. It’s about making places that work better for people and the planet.
Planning Policy
While the term “15-minute city” may be relatively new, the principles underpinning it align well with the goals of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England, which supports:
- Reducing the need to travel by car
- Supporting the vitality of town centres
- Promoting healthy and inclusive communities
However, implementing the 15-minute city requires more than policy alignment. It demands bold decisions in land use planning, infrastructure investment, and community engagement.
Key Elements of a 15-Minute Community
- Local Living: This means planning for residential, retail, education, health, and recreational uses within a short distance.
- Active Travel: Walkability and cycling infrastructure are non-negotiable. Safe, direct routes and attractive public realms encourage people to leave the car at home.
- Public Services and Amenities: Schools, GP surgeries, libraries, and green spaces must be integrated into communities, not located on their periphery.
- Economic Resilience: A thriving local economy with small businesses, co-working spaces, and local markets helps communities become more self-sufficient.
- Social Infrastructure: Places for people to meet, such as community centres and public squares, are essential for reducing social isolation and building resilience.
Challenges and Opportunities in the UK
Many English towns and cities are not currently set up for 15-minute living. Post-war development patterns, car dependency, and centralised services have led to disjointed communities. Retrofitting these areas requires creative thinking and strong local leadership.
On the flip side, new developments and garden communities offer a blank canvas to apply 15-minute principles from the outset. Town planners, developers, and local authorities can collaborate to design places that prioritise people over cars and integrate mixed uses from day one.
How Planning House Can Help
At Planning House, we believe the future of urban development lies in creating places that support daily life at a human scale. Whether you’re bringing forward a new site or looking to regenerate an existing area, we can help ensure your proposal aligns with the principles of the 15-minute city while meeting planning policy requirements.
Our experience spans everything from strategic planning to community engagement and local plan representation. We work with you to create sustainable, vibrant places that people are proud to call home.
Final Thoughts
The 15-minute city isn’t just a trend – it’s a transformative approach to town planning that puts people first. As the UK seeks to build back better, more localised and liveable communities will be key.
If you’re looking to embed 15-minute principles into your next planning project, get in touch with the team at Planning House.
