How on Earth did a benign, aspirational urban planning philosophy about local amenities and more accessible streets become a secret World Economic Forum plan to turn our neighbourhoods into open-air prisons? The 15-minute city concept was coined by the FrenchColombian urban designer Carlos Moreno, who wrote in 2015 that cities "should be designed so that within the distance of a 15-minute walk or bike ride, people should be able to access work, housing, food, health, education, culture, and leisure". Since then, the idealised 15 minutes has sometimes been extended to a more practical 20 and public transport is usually included in the vision.
As the UK government's Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities explained earlier this year, "15-minute cities aim to provide people with more choice about how and where they travel, not to restrict movement." Which makes it all the more odd that the Tories recently made the conspiracy theory part of their platform.
Denne historien er fra November 04-10 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra November 04-10 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Lost in the labyrinth
New Zealand was once one of the world’s most prosperous countries but it’s been mainly) down hill since the 60s. Dany. McLaucuLan identifies what’s gone wrong and the changes needed to keep us afloat.
A never-coming-of-age tale
Across 14 chapters, we chronologically follow the fortunes of George, from age 12 through to almost 40. George is an unlikeable character and we should be thankful that he is a fictional creation, because in real life no one would tolerate his deliberate and calculating cruelty.
Past glories
Debut novel takes a leaf out of the book of modern Irish writing, hurtling classical antiquity into the present.
A touch of flamboyance
Miki Magasiva fell in love with film at an early age and has finally launched a debut feature that takes a tragi-comic look at grief and families.
Pushing all the buttons
The fourth film in the hit romcom series arrives with familiar charms and fresh blokes. But it would be a good place to stop.
Gone to ground
The Te Aroha-filmed detective series that blends Irish and Māori cultures is back.
Refinding the self
Strokes and brain diseases can radically change our personalities. But with more understanding of how brains work, a leading neurologist says sometimes, our old selves can be restored.
In the cross hairs
Danish actor Claes Bang's late-career boost shows no sign of abating, as he moves from TV villain to big-screen hero.
Fabric of time
Tapa cloth samples collected from Polynesian nations on Cook's voyages have made their way into our museums and libraries.
Let's dance
Kiwi dancer, teacher and choreographer LEILA LOIS visited one of Manila's innovative dance companies as it celebrated its 10th anniversary.
