Suburban Context

Another common factor between the three case study plans is the difficulty in achieving the 15-Minute City in suburban contexts. These areas are a challenge because of the low-density built form and car-centric infrastructure, driven by the past assumption that all travel would be accomplished through private automobiles (Ledsham & Verlinden, 2019). Some suburbs are also the victims of past injustice in the form of highway construction, exclusionary zoning policies, or lack of investment (Archer, 2020; Novakovic, 2019).

Combating this through the 15-Minute City represents a significant departure from past approaches, both physically and politically (C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, 2020). The nature of the change and overall difficulty in implementation points to the underlying structural forces that stand in the way. Changing these structures is a key to mobility justice and any plan to improve a suburban neighbourhood in this way needs to address it. However, this requires a level of sustained political will that may be difficult to muster, particularly in areas where disadvantaged voices are marginalized (Way et al., 2021). By focusing on short term, small scale improvements, such as those proposed by Street Moves (Dickson, 2021; O’Sullivan, 2021a) or Scarborough Cycles (2021), neighbourhoods can build momentum and support for larger-scale change. They can also help highlight the diverse realities of the suburbs, counter to the perception that they exist as a homogenous, car-loving monolith (see Fig. 22). This narrative is not unique to car-centric

Figure 22: A group ride through car-centric infrastructure highlights the hostile environment for active transportation and brings awareness to the needs of non-car users (Scarborough Cycles, 2021)

cities or suburbs, but is taking place even in cycling-friendly cities such as Copenhagen (Henderson & Gulsrud, 2019). Fights over the allocation of road space and the necessity of car-ownership make it difficult to gain political support, despite the widespread walking and cycling culture within the city. However, it is also important to remember that, “Building a bicycle city, just as deciding to build a car city, is a political decision” (Henderson & Gulsrud, 2019, p. 189). The direction a city chooses to develop, whether instituting change or maintaining the status quo, is still a choice that needs to be made.

Without a high level of commitment, the 15-Minute City may fail to achieve its goal of improving quality of life for all. This potential failure raises the question that, if the concept can not help those who need it the most, how useful is it as a tool for city building? The concept could be revised to bring it inline with mobility justice goals, as outlined

previously, with additional principles designed to prioritize local needs and the least advantaged groups. Or it could be discarded, either in suburban areas or altogether. The Portland Plan’s (City of Portland, 2012) recognition that 20-minute neighbourhoods could run contrary to environmental goals is evidence of this on a small scale. However, the fact that providing basic quality of life for urban residents through proximity is difficult to achieve means that some kind of change is necessary. Based on the previous analysis, the 15-Minute City concept does represent a universal measure of quality of life and basic access. As well, there is general agreement among planning theorists that walkable neighbourhoods are beneficial (Kelbaugh, 2007). This is also reflected in the overall support shown for the three reviewed city plans in the case study and in the latent demand for walkability in cities (Brookfield, 2017; Toronto Public Health, 2012), suggesting that it is not simply the desires of those within professional or academic circles. All of this leads to the conclusion that, if implemented justly and supported by public and political will, the 15-Minute City could have a significant positive impact on the quality of life of urban residents.

The fact that providing basic quality of life for urban residents is difficult means that some kind of change is necessary