The 15 Minute City

In this episode of 99% Invisible, the focus is on the 15-Minute City concept, which was developed to tackle the issues of unsustainable urban design and excessive car reliance. Originally intended to enhance quality of life by ensuring that essential services are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride, the idea has unfortunately morphed into a target for far-right conspiracy theories. This backlash has led to protests and even death threats against its creator, Carlos Moreno, as the concept has been misrepresented as a form of authoritarian control. Despite the surrounding controversy, some cities are still pursuing similar initiatives, often avoiding the "15-Minute City" label to sidestep further opposition.