There was a question posed in our AR forum Q&A section about 15-minute cities by Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can! whom I thank for piquing my curiosity. I had heard about Smart Cities and thought 15-Minute Cities were the same.
I did some research and found out each is different. Smart cities are based around technology while 15-minute Cities are designed for all your needs to be within 15 minutes of you. It's a basic explanation so I went out looking and found a more comprehensive and intelligent explanation. (below the graphics)
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Smart Cities and 15-Minute Cities -- an Explanation
While both "smart cities" and "15-minute cities" aim to improve urban living, the key difference lies in their focus: "smart cities" prioritize using technology and data to optimize city functions like transportation and energy usage, while "15-minute cities" focus on designing cities where most daily needs are accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, essentially prioritizing walkability and local access over technological integration; essentially, a smart city leverages technology to manage a city, while a 15-minute city redesigns the city's layout to prioritize accessibility and reduce car dependency.
Key points about Smart Cities:
Technology-driven:
Utilizes sensors, data analytics, and connected devices to manage traffic, energy consumption, waste management, and more.
Data-based decision-making: Uses real-time data to inform urban planning and policy decisions.
Focus on efficiency: Aims to optimize resource usage and infrastructure performance.
Key points about 15-minute cities:
People-centered design:
Prioritizes pedestrian and cyclist accessibility to local amenities like shops, schools, healthcare, and parks within a short travel time.
Reduced car dependency:
Aims to minimize the need for car travel by placing essential services within walking or cycling distance.
Community building:
Encourages local interaction and a stronger sense of community within neighborhoods.
Potential overlap:
Integrated technology:
Smart city technology like traffic management systems could be used to enhance the functionality of a 15-minute city by optimizing public transport routes.
Sustainability goals:
Both concepts can contribute to environmental sustainability by promoting walking, cycling, and energy-efficient infrastructure.
What are your preferences?
My personal preferences are for wide open spaces, not cities. I'm willing to sacrifice convenience for that sense of freedom, although, I can see the advantages of these types of cities. I also think these two (2) concepts should be joined together for a more optimal experience and make the cities free of fossil fuel vehicles.
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