As a long-term advocate of low-impact urban living, I have campaigned for more than 40 years for better walking, cycling and green space provision, both for local food growing and leisure. Gradually, we have seen shifts in the reallocation of urban space to pedestrians and cyclists. Lockdown and the climate emergency have made many realise that this trend needs to accelerate.
Now it seems I am part of a global conspiracy to deny people their perceived rights. I am, however, proud to be a contributor to the UK’s 20-minute neighbourhood working group, giving advice on local food-growing and access issues.
Oliver Wainwright (In praise of the ‘15-minute city’ – the mundane planning theory terrifying conspiracists, 16 February) points out the furious reactions to these modest, humane proposals – by whom? People addicted to their cars, I guess, who see the necessary restraint of private cars as an attack on freedom and liberty. Well, what about the freedom of children and adults not in cars to move about freely and safely? Not to mention the inevitable air pollution and noise.
Progressive councils and communities should be encouraged to push ahead with plans to improve towns and cities. Cars should be managed to make their use less dominant. If that sacrifices the convenience of some, so be it.
Jeremy Iles
Bristol
• Since 1985, I have lived in a “15-minute city” in the north-east of Rotterdam. Within 15 minutes we have everything that we need for day-to-day life, such as housing, green space, sports and healthcare facilities, a library, a children’s farm, metro and bus connections, supermarkets and various other shops.
The area was set up in the 1960s to help solve the shortage of housing at the time, and has about 12,500 homes. Those who need to travel can do so easily, as there is a train connection and motorway access within a couple of kilometres, and there is space to park cars outside the door.
It seems to me that with the practical 50-year example of this small 2km x 2km area in Rotterdam, the “15-minute city” can be realised without delivering the things feared by its antagonists.
Andrew Chisholm
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
• My girlfriend and I live in the suburbs of Seattle, and have spent the last five years organising our lives around the principle of the 15-minute city. We have sacrificed higher wages, lower rent and larger living spaces to live close to our jobs, grocery stores, a library, a bowling alley, a swimming pool and parks. This being the US, our best efforts have still only resulted in a 15- to 30-minute city, with some journeys by car. Many of our co-workers and friends waste hours commuting by car, so that they can own homes in housing developments with no amenities. I am envious that politicians in the UK are attempting to do something about it, and baffled that anyone would object.
Peter Everill
Seattle, Washington, US
• Our neighbourhood already meets the requirements of the 15-minute city. That’s why we have lived in the same house for 40 years. Rarely cocooned in a car, we regularly rub shoulders with our fellow citizens. Research shows that this is good for your mental health. Actually, the real benefit is not having to mix with people who think this modest idea is an infringement of civil liberties.
John and Liz Kirkwood
Sheffield
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