UN’s 15-Minute City Plan Revealed in November

Mexico — The United Nations is set to define the final results of its strategic plan on the "15-Minute Cities" concept in November. This urban development model aims to guarantee accessible housing, citizen participation, and basic services within short distances.

Eleanor Mohamed, an urban planner and president of the UN's professional habitat formation, announced the timeline during a visit to Mexico. She highlighted practical steps being taken, citing examples from Canada.

“In Canada, we have begun to require that any urban development contemplates a percentage of affordable housing for the people who live there. That is the way to prevent the creation of exclusionary communities,” she stated.

The "15-Minute City" model seeks to enable people to cover their daily needs within a radius accessible on foot or by bicycle. Mohamed emphasized that this vision is not science fiction, unlike some futuristic projects in the Middle East, but an urgent necessity in the face of the effects of climate change, the energy crisis, and high transportation costs.

“Today, a phone is enough to respond to surveys in your language and contribute information that influences the layout of a neighborhood or municipal decisions. It is a profound change in the way of planning,” she said.

The UN strategic document Mohamed referenced establishes social justice and dignified housing as central pillars.

“The new global plan establishes that citizen participation and the supply of affordable housing are conditions for any urban development to be considered successful. These are policies that must be assumed from the local to the federal level,” she pointed out.

When consulted on the reconstruction of cities devastated by conflicts or disasters, such as Gaza, she affirmed that the path forward involves inclusive architecture.

“It is not only about putting up buildings, but about listening to communities, supporting them, and planning with them. Architecture can unite different actors and give politicians the necessary information to make correct decisions,” she maintained.