The 15-Minute City: A Vision for India’s Sustainable Urban Future
Introduction
As India’s cities grow, they are evolving into what some call “two-hour cities,” where commuting is a daily struggle. While skyscrapers with green certifications rise, the average city dweller spends hours navigating congested streets, breathing polluted air, and relying on private vehicles. This urban paradox highlights the need for a fundamental shift in how cities are designed. The 15-minute city concept offers a compelling alternative, one where homes, workplaces, schools, healthcare, and recreational spaces are within a 15-minute reach on foot or by bicycle. By rethinking urban zoning, prioritising pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and enhancing public transport, Indian cities can become more liveable, equitable, and environmentally sustainable.
The Concept of the 15-Minute City
The idea of the 15-minute city was developed by scientist Carlos Moreno and has since been embraced by urban planners worldwide. The principle is simple: all residents should have access to six essential functions—living, working, commerce, healthcare, education, and entertainment—within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes. This approach focuses on four key principles:
- Density – Compact urban planning to ensure services are nearby.
- Proximity – Bringing essential services within short distances.
- Diversity – Encouraging mixed-use neighbourhoods that integrate residential, commercial, and recreational spaces.
- Digitalisation – Using technology to enhance access to urban services.
Several global cities, including Paris, Barcelona, and Melbourne, have adopted the 15-minute city concept with great success. Paris, for example, has pedestrianised streets, expanded cycling lanes, and repurposed public spaces to make local living easier. Barcelona’s “superblocks” limit car access, prioritising pedestrians and cyclists. If implemented thoughtfully, this model can significantly improve India’s urban experience as well.
India’s Current Urban Challenges
Indian cities were once built for people, not cars. The old quarters of Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Varanasi had markets, homes, and workplaces in close proximity, making daily life convenient and community-oriented. However, rapid and often unplanned urbanisation has led to a different reality. Today’s metropolises—Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and others—are designed around road networks, with residential areas far from workplaces, resulting in long commutes and car-dependent lifestyles.
Congestion and Pollution: The dominance of private vehicles has led to severe congestion. Despite expanding metro networks in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, poor last-mile connectivity makes public transport unattractive. Weak pedestrian infrastructure and unregulated fares for auto-rickshaws and taxis add to the problem. As a result, most people rely on personal cars and motorbikes, leading to increased carbon emissions. Air pollution from vehicle exhaust has reached hazardous levels in cities like Delhi, which often ranks among the most polluted in the world.
Fragmented Urban Planning: Unlike European or Japanese cities that prioritise mixed-use development, Indian cities follow outdated zoning models that separate residential areas from commercial and industrial zones. Office hubs such as Bengaluru’s Whitefield or Delhi’s Gurgaon require long commutes, straining transport infrastructure. Instead of prioritising compact, walkable spaces, urban expansion in India is largely driven by real estate interests, sacrificing green spaces and public areas.
Loss of Community Spaces: With roads taking precedence over footpaths and urban greenery, community spaces have dwindled. Traditional public spaces like parks, marketplaces, and neighbourhood squares are being replaced by malls and gated communities. This shift has not only reduced opportunities for social interaction but also contributed to social inequality, as low-income groups often find themselves pushed to the peripheries with limited access to essential services.
How the 15-Minute City Can Transform India
Implementing the 15-minute city model can bring a host of benefits to India’s urban centres, improving sustainability, economic efficiency, and overall quality of life.
- Reducing Travel Times and Pollution
By ensuring that workplaces, schools, and markets are within walking or cycling distance, the 15-minute city can cut down the need for long commutes. This reduces vehicle emissions, improves air quality, and encourages healthier lifestyles through increased walking and cycling. Research by the TUC shows that the average person spends 59 minutes a day commuting, which is five minutes longer than a decade ago, despite the rise in remote working. Outside major cities, most commuters (70%) still travel by car. Even a study by Nature, creating more sustainable and intelligent cities is a pressing need, as they account for over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions. This requires a rethink of current urban policies, particularly those related to transport.
- Promoting Mixed-Use Neighbourhoods
Shifting towards mixed-use zoning would bring jobs, homes, and recreational areas closer together. Instead of isolated residential colonies and distant commercial hubs, cities should promote developments where people can live, work, and socialise in the same area. This approach not only enhances convenience but also fosters a sense of community.
- Strengthening Public Transport and Last-Mile Connectivity
For those who do need to travel beyond a 15-minute radius, public transport must be seamless and efficient. Expanding metro and bus networks is important, but equally critical is ensuring last-mile connectivity—safe, well-maintained sidewalks, cycle lanes, and affordable auto-rickshaw or e-rickshaw options.
- Revitalising Public Spaces
Cities need more parks, pedestrian-friendly streets, and community gathering areas. Investing in urban greenery not only enhances aesthetics but also helps mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduces air pollution, and improves mental well-being. Copenhagen and Singapore have successfully integrated green spaces into their city designs, and Indian cities can follow suit.
- Encouraging Non-Motorised Transport
Indian cities should prioritise infrastructure for walking and cycling. Dedicated cycle lanes, well-lit pedestrian pathways, and traffic-calmed streets can make non-motorised transport safer and more appealing. Pune and Chennai have made progress in promoting cycling, but these initiatives need wider adoption.
- Leveraging Digital Connectivity
The digital revolution can support the 15-minute city concept by enabling more remote work, online education, and digital healthcare services. By reducing the need for daily travel, technology can further enhance urban efficiency.
Challenges and Considerations
While the 15-minute city offers a promising model, implementing it in India comes with challenges.
- Restructuring Existing Urban Spaces – Many Indian cities have already been developed in a car-centric manner, requiring extensive redesign and investment.
- Addressing Socioeconomic Inequality – Policies must ensure that 15-minute city initiatives benefit all income groups, avoiding gentrification that could push lower-income residents to the outskirts.
- Balancing Density with Liveability – Increasing urban density is necessary, but it must be done thoughtfully, preserving green spaces and public amenities.
- Changing Public Perceptions – Many people associate car ownership with social status. Encouraging walking, cycling, and public transport will require cultural shifts and public awareness campaigns.
Despite these challenges, cities like Pimpri-Chinchwad, Surat, and Srinagar are already taking steps to improve accessibility and sustainability, showing that transformation is possible.
In addition to this, while it is being implemented in parts of Europe and Asia, it has faced strong criticism in North America and the UK. According to Bloomberg, conspiracy theorists and far-right influencers have labelled it a “totalitarian plot,” with Canadian commentator Jordan Peterson calling it a “perversion” orchestrated by “tyrannical bureaucrats.” Some critics claim it could lead to “climate lockdowns” or travel restrictions, allegedly tied to organisations like the World Economic Forum (WEF). In the UK, the term has become controversial. Oxford abandoned it after protests earlier this year, with officials describing it as “toxic and incendiary.” British MP Nick Fletcher even dismissed it as a “socialist concept.”
Conclusion
The future of India’s cities lies not in endless expansion and car dependency but in smarter, people-centric planning. The 15-minute city model presents a viable path forward, one that prioritises accessibility, sustainability, and community well-being. By promoting mixed-use development, improving public transport, revitalising public spaces, and investing in pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, Indian cities can become healthier, more efficient, and more inclusive. The journey will require policy shifts, public participation, and infrastructural investment, but the benefits—a cleaner environment, reduced congestion, and a better quality of life—make it a goal worth pursuing.
The time to rethink India’s urban future is now. Instead of continuing on the path of car-centric “two-hour cities,” India must embrace the
