Fifteen-minute city advocates describe an urban landscape that is compact, and people-centred; very different from many existing metropolitan centre, characterised by so-called ‘urban sprawl’ and a clear demarcation between residential and commercial districts.

Instead, 15-minute cities remove archipelagoes of business districts, residential areas and shopping centres, prioritising mixed-use neighbourhoods where residential areas are woven together, and seamlessly co-exist with essential services, green spaces, and commerce. It aims to foster a sense of community, improve the local economy, and reduce the need for long commutes.

The concept is not without its detractors. Some are concerned that 15-minute cities will impose restrictions on personal freedoms or restrictions on movement; meanwhile, proponents of 15-minute cities are adamant that this is not the case: people will be able to travel wherever they wish, without boundaries or borders. What it will do is focus on creating and encouraging more sustainable, healthier city living, rather than enforcing strict limitations, particularly around car use.

• Reduced commute times: enabling people to reclaim hours lost in traffic jams, and instead spend more time with family, or personal pursuits.
• Improved health and well-being: by people becoming more active through walking and cycling.
• Strengthened local communities: by fostering vibrant local hubs, they encourage greater interaction and social connection, fostering a stronger sense of community within neighbourhoods.
• Sustainable living: lower carbon emissions and cleaner air contributes to a more sustainable urban environment.

While challenges remain in adapting existing infrastructure and ensuring equitable access for all residents, the potential benefits of 15-minute cities are undeniable. They offer a path toward healthier, more connected, and sustainable cities where people are at the heart of urban design.

It could be argued that 15-minute cities provide a promising glimpse into a future where cities work around people, not the other way around.

The vision of 15-minute cities has started to be shared across the globe. In Paris, for example, Mayor Anne Hidalgo's successful re-election campaign centred on "hyper-proximity" and creating vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods.

Other European cities such as Barcelona, Milan, and Madrid are adopting similar initiatives, while Melbourne in Australia is exploring the concept through pilot projects in select suburbs.

To some extent it could be argued that 15-minute cities are already here in the UK. London has more than 600 high streets and 90% of Londoners live within ten minutes of one! Plus, individual boroughs already enjoy very distinct social and cultural identities, so perhaps the hyperlocal mindset is already here.

If the concept of 15-minute cities is widely adopted, it could well lead to companies shifting their focus away from having large, centralised headquarters, in favour of smaller, satellite offices closer to residential areas.

We’re already seeing a growing number of “hubs” being opened in response to more people working from home.

As offices become smaller, funds are being released and in many cases being redirected to enhance the employer experience. This is contributing to a rise in the number of office refurbishments.

Meanwhile, sustainability is now a cornerstone of office construction with legislation enforcing the use of low-carbon materials, as well as improving operational energy efficiency and reducing waste. Meeting these standards is considered not only crucial for compliance with regulations such as MEES, it is also becoming increasingly attractive to potential employees and investors.

Given that a high proportion of the UK’s existing office buildings lag behind in terms of energy efficiency, retrofitting older buildings to meet these regulatory standards will be essential.

For decades, piecemeal urban planning has created sprawls, with people travelling long distances across cities to get to their destination. Fifteen-minute cities offer a vision of compact and self-sustaining communities going into the future.

And should this idea take hold, our teams will help drive the evolution of urban workspaces, to help bring all the elements for living and working within local communities.