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15-Minute City & Complete Neighborhoods Model

A planning model where residents can reach daily needs—like shops, schools, and parks—within a short walk or bike ride. This reduces vehicle dependence and supports public health.

Overview

The 15‑minute city is a planning concept where most daily needs are reachable within a short walk or bike ride from home. The idea is widely discussed in planning circles, but definitions vary; the core intent is access to daily needs by foot or bicycle in about 15 minutes. (CNU)

A closely related framework is the 20‑minute neighbourhood, which defines daily needs within a 20‑minute return walk and uses clear “hallmarks” criteria. (Victoria Planning)

In practice, these models favor mixed‑use zoning, safer walking and cycling networks, and neighborhood services located near where people live.

Global Case Studies

1. Melbourne, Australia: The “20‑Minute Neighbourhood”

The Policy: Melbourne built this idea into their official long‑term plan, Plan Melbourne 2017–2050. The state’s 20‑minute neighbourhood guidance defines daily needs within a 20‑minute return walk. (Victoria Planning)

How it Works (The “Hallmarks” Test): A neighborhood isn’t just “zoned” for shops; it has to meet a clear set of criteria to count as a 20‑minute neighbourhood. These include walkability, access to local services, and safe cycling networks. (Victoria Planning)

Victoria’s checklist distills the hallmarks into measurable outcomes:

  • Safe, accessible, and well-connected walking and cycling routes that prioritize active travel. (Victoria Planning)
  • High-quality public spaces plus open space within the catchment so residents can spend time locally. (Victoria Planning)
  • Local services, daily destinations, and reliable transit connections so the neighborhood provides both essentials and higher-order trips. (Victoria Planning)
  • Housing density and thriving local economies sufficient to keep shops, clinics, and transit viable. (Victoria Planning)

The Suburban Revitalisation pilots in Strathmore, Sunshine West, and Croydon South received $120,000 to add parklets, temporary cycle lanes, murals, and mobile libraries, demonstrating how small capital projects can close gaps in the hallmarks. (Victoria Suburban Revitalisation)

Local governments can baseline progress using the Australian Urban Observatory 20 Minute Neighbourhood Scorecard, developed with Victoria’s Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and the City of Port Phillip to map liveability indicators. (Australian Urban Observatory)

2. Portland, Oregon, USA: Inclusionary Housing + Neighborhood Access

The Policy: Portland’s Inclusionary Housing program requires residential buildings with 20+ units to include affordable units or pay a fee‑in‑lieu, helping keep mixed‑income housing in areas served by daily amenities. (City of Portland)

How it Works (Affordability Guardrails):

  • Buildings must meet a defined affordability requirement or choose a permitted compliance option. (City of Portland)

Takeaway: Affordability rules can help keep “15‑minute” access from becoming a luxury amenity.

3. Barcelona, Spain: “Superblocks” (Superilles)

The Policy: This approach reorganizes street networks to reduce through‑traffic and repurpose interior streets for people‑focused public space. (C40 Cities; Ajuntament de Barcelona)

How it Works (Street Reallocation): The city organizes a grid of blocks so that through‑traffic is routed around the edges, while interior streets prioritize local access, walking, and public space. (C40 Cities; Ajuntament de Barcelona)

Takeaway: You don’t always need new buildings. You can create a 15‑minute feel by changing how streets are used.

Model Policy Language

The following language is adapted from the SmartCode framework (CATS). It is ready to be pasted into a city’s Comprehensive Plan.

A. General Plan (Vision Statement)

Goal: The 15‑Minute Neighborhood Framework “The City aims to create ‘Complete Neighborhoods’ where residents can access daily needs—including grocery, pharmacy, elementary education, and public recreation—within a 15‑minute walk or bike ride.”

Policy 1.1: “The City will prioritize ‘Mixed‑Use’ (blending homes and shops) over ‘Single‑Use’ (homes only) in all future land use decisions.”

Policy 1.2: “The City will focus spending on sidewalks and bike lanes within a 1‑mile radius of identified Neighborhood Centers.”

B. Zoning Ordinance (Specific Code)

1. The “Corner Store” Rule (Neighborhood Commercial Overlay)

Purpose: To let small businesses open in residential areas so people can walk to get coffee or milk.

Permitted Uses: The following small businesses are allowed in Residential Zones provided they are under 1,500 square feet:

  • Coffee shops, bakeries, and delis (no drive‑throughs).
  • Small grocery or specialty food stores.
  • Personal services (barbershops, tailors, dry cleaners).
  • Small offices or co‑working spaces.

Rules to protect neighbors:

  • Signage: Must be small and non‑lit.
  • Hours: Limited to 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM to keep noise down.

2. Parking Reform

Purpose: Giant parking lots push buildings apart, making walking impossible. This rule fixes that.

Exemptions: You do not need to build off‑street parking for:

  • Shops under 2,500 square feet if they are near a bus/train stop.
  • Small residential projects (4 units or fewer).

Shared Parking: New buildings can build 40% less parking if they share a lot with a neighbor (e.g., an office shares spaces with a restaurant that is only open at night).

3. “Live‑Work” Units

Purpose: To help people work from home effectively.

Definition: “A building that combines a living space with a work space, used by the person living there.”

The Rule: Professional services (like accountants) and small makers (like potters or artists) are allowed by right, as long as they don’t create dangerous noise or fumes.

Todo: Implementation Roadmap

If you are a city councilor or planner, use this checklist to launch this policy.

Phase 1: Research & Audit (Months 1‑3)

  • Run an “Amenity Audit”: Use GIS mapping to locate all grocery stores, parks, and schools.
  • Identify the Gaps: Highlight the “food deserts” and “green deserts” (areas more than a 15‑minute walk from these goods).
  • Calculate the Savings: Work with the finance department to calculate the tax revenue per acre of mixed‑use vs. single‑use zones (see Urban3 for examples).

Phase 2: Pilot Program (Months 3‑6)

  • Select a “Flex Zone”: Pick one intersection in a residential neighborhood that lacks amenities.
  • Pass a Pilot Ordinance: Temporarily rezone that intersection to allow a corner cafe, a co‑working space, or a pop‑up market.
  • Measure Success: After 6 months, survey the neighbors: Did they walk more? Did they like it?

Phase 3: Legislative Action (Months 6‑12)

  • Adopt Missing Middle Housing: Legalize duplexes, triplexes, and ADUs (backyard cottages) in single‑family zones.
    • Why? Local shops need nearby customers to survive.
  • Update Parking Minimums: Remove requirements for parking spaces for small businesses to lower construction costs.
  • Formal Vote: Present the “15‑Minute City” General Plan amendment to the City Council for a final vote.

Co‑Benefits

  • Health: More walking and cycling supports physical activity and cardiovascular health. (WHO)
  • Lower vehicle reliance: Walkable, mixed‑use planning reduces car trips and related emissions. (Victoria Planning)
  • Public life: Reallocating street space can create more usable public areas for residents. (C40 Cities)

Official Sources

Discussion on GitHub

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Official Sources

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