What does the ideal city look like? According to urban planner and professor Carlos Moreno, it’s a 15-Minute City, where all essential services are accessible via public transport within a maximum of 15 minutes. However, this is not the only vision of urban planning shaping cities worldwide.
Let’s explore some of these models.
15-Minute City: A Model for Sustainable Urban Development
The 15-Minute City envisions more efficient, equitable, and eco-friendly urban centers, where essential services and key amenities are reachable within 15 minutes using sustainable transportation.
Milan is one of the leading cities embracing this model. A prime example is the M4, the new metro line built by Webuild Group, which has expanded the city’s metro network to 118 kilometers, making it the sixth-largest in Europe. The M4 spans 15 kilometers, connecting the city from east to west in just 30 minutes. Additionally, travel time from Linate Airport (Milan’s airport) to the city center is now only 12 minutes.
Smart Growth: Urban Planning for Sustainable Mobility
Smart Growth is an urban planning approach that promotes sustainable transportation, efficient development, and environmental balance, integrating economic growth with environmental protection and controlled urban expansion.
A prime example is Portland, Oregon, a city that has prioritized walkable neighborhoods, efficient transportation systems, and the establishment of an Urban Growth Boundary to combat urban sprawl and encourage high-density, transit-oriented urban development.
Compact City: Innovative Urban Planning and Sustainable Transport to Reduced Pollution
A Compact City is a high-density urban planning model that prioritizes walkability, efficient public transport, and sustainable infrastructure. Unlike Smart Growth, this model optimizes land use within urban boundaries and minimizes expansion, resulting in lower pollution and better accessibility.
Tokyo is an outstanding example among Compact Cities, featuring efficient land use, advanced transportation systems, and well-integrated mixed-use districts.
Walkable City: A Sustainable Urban Plan where Everything is within Walking Distance (like in Copenhagen)
Walkable Cities prioritize pedestrian accessibility, green transportation, and efficient transport services, creating a sustainable and livable environment where essential services, workplaces, and recreational areas are easily reachable on foot.
A standout example of Walkable City is Copenhagen, especially after the opening of Cityringen, the Copenhagen metro line built by Webuild. Spanning 15.5 kilometers, it encircles the historic center in a loop that connects with the city’s other metro network. Since its inauguration, every resident of Copenhagen can reach a public transport station within a 600-meter walk, contributing to an impressive statistic: 75% of the population commutes by walking, cycling, or using public transport.
Garden City: A Historical Example of Sustainable Urban Planning and City Development
Originally conceived as a response to overcrowding and environmental pollution in industrial cities, the Garden City concept envisions self-sufficient communities that integrate urban infrastructure with green spaces, reducing reliance on other urban centers.
The first example was Letchworth Garden City, designed in 1903, which remains a model of sustainable urban planning today.
Resilient City: A Winning Strategy for Climate-Resilient Cities
A Resilient City is designed to withstand and adapt to climate change, economic shifts, and social challenges, ensuring long-term sustainability and climate resilience. These cities are built to anticipate, absorb, and adapt to risks such as rising sea levels, natural disasters, and extreme weather events, focusing on urban infrastructure innovation and preparedness.
Rotterdam is a prime example. As a city located below sea level and prone to flooding, it has become a leader in innovative water management, adaptive infrastructure, and climate-resilient urban planning.
