"Transforming Suburbs: The Key to Creating 15-Minute Cities in the U.S."
The concept of the 15-minute city, where housing, amenities, and jobs are within a 15-minute walk, bike, or transit ride, has gained popularity as a way to reduce car dependency and improve quality of life. However, the challenge lies in how to achieve this in cities housing millions of people. While some argue that it is not feasible for everyone to live and work within 15 minutes of their desired destinations, urban economists suggest that the focus should be on creating 15-minute neighborhoods that optimize free time and economic opportunity within a 30-minute radius. The first suburbs, built around streetcar systems in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, already have the potential to become 15-minute cities with mixed-use development and efficient access to jobs. To realize this vision, local communities need to prioritize building more housing, loosening zoning laws, and protecting all forms of transportation.