Shrink the City

“[Shrink the City] surveys ways in which cities around the globe have created compact neighborhoods where residents’ daily needs are quickly accessible on foot or by bicycle—a concept known as the 15-minute city. . . . deeply researched and winsomely written. . . an invaluable overview of the cutting edge of urban planning.”—Publishers Weekly

Cities define the lives of all those who call them home: where we go, how we get there, how we spend our time. But what if we rethink the ways we plan, live in, and move around our cities? What if we didn’t need a car to reach the grocery store? What if we could get back the time we would have spent commuting and put it to other uses? 

In this fascinating, carefully researched and reported book, longtime Financial Times journalist Natalie Whittle investigates the 15-minute city idea—its pros, cons, and its potential to revolutionize modern living. 

From Paris, Melbourne, and Rotterdam to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Tempe, Arizona, cities worldwide are being guided by the 15-minute city’s ideals—with varying results. By looking at these examples, Whittle considers:

• what really happens when a city expands bike lanes and pedestrian areas—and disincentivizes long commutes
• which approaches to building affordable housing are actually effective
• how neighborhoods of varying wealth are affected by 15-minute city policies
• whether it’s possible to convince car-owning city dwellers to replace their vehicles with other forms of transport.

This timely book serves as a call to reflect on our cities and neighborhoods—and it outfits us with insights on how to make them more sustainable, safe, and welcoming.