The Green Party is presenting a vision for London as a ’15 minute city’ as the capital comes out of lockdown.
An idea that has had huge success in Paris, the ’15 minute city’ means that Londoners would be able to get everything they need for daily life within a short walk or bike ride from their home.
Cutting down on the need for vehicles and emissions, it would help the city on its way to a ‘Green recovery’, believes Caroline Russell, Green London Assembly Member.
Caroline recently presented her case to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan at a ‘Mayor’s Question Time’. Londoners have become more local during lockdown – but home working is challenging as so many people lack the necessary space to do this effectively.
Caroline proposed several changes that would help bring about the ’15 minute city’ – including more easily bookable workspaces and expanding sites for outdoor eating and drinking. Her proposals were supported by the Mayor.
Caroline says:-
“As we come out of lockdown, we are still living very local lives. We need to rethink how London’s roads can support Londoners and businesses. Simply getting tables and chairs into a street to let cafes reopen safely, or greening parking bays to provide space for communities to grow plants and relax can be transformative.”
Other cities (as well as Paris) which have incorporated ideas around the ’15 minute city’ include Utrecht and Copenhagen – and Greens believe London would benefit hugely from this type of innovation.