Date: 16 March
Time: 17:00-17:40 CET
Language: English

From Paris to Seattle to Melbourne, many cities around the world are following a new planning model of 15 minute cities emphasizing walkability and accessibility. It aims to bring different land uses into a single area with a goal that residents of the city are able to meet most daily needs (school, office, shopping, park, bank etc.) that are reached within 15 minutes by walking, cycling and or using public transport from home. It would require collaborative planning efforts and land use policy reforms to allow denser and compact development.

While the idea of a 15-minute city is on its way to adoption by many cities, an unprecedented boom has been seen in grocery delivery companies promising 15-minute delivery. Over the last year, there has been a rapid rise of 15-minute grocery delivery services launched across cities in the United States and Europe with the COVID-19 as an enabling factor. With low or no delivery fees, these companies are changing the way we shop, providing convenience for customers. These delivery companies are equipped with efficient algorithm and centrally located “ghost” stores to allow them to fulfill the needs of customers.

This panel will discuss the pros and cons of both the concept of the 15-minute cities and 15-minute delivery services – if and how they can co-exist in the ultra-fast, technology-oriented modern society. Both models aim to bring goods and services closer to home, but while 15-minute city focuses on improving street life and supporting community engagement, the effect of the 15-minute delivery is still too early to tell whether the concept enhances or hinders community life. As the popularity of the new service rises, city officials will have to decide whether the service is a nuance or complements the 15-minute city concept.

Laetitia Dablanc, Director of Research at University Gustave Eiffel, Paris

Janet Sanz, Vice Mayor, Barcelona

Dino Buzzi , Director of Planning, Use, and Evaluation of Mobility, Buenos Aires

Himanshu Raj, Sustainable Mobility Officer, ICLEI World Secretariat (Moderator)