15-Minute Cities: Is This Urban Planning Concept In South Africa's Future?

15-Minute Cities: Is This Urban Planning Concept In South Africa's Future?

For many South Africans who don't work from home, waking up early to avoid traffic on their commute to the office seems like an unavoidable reality. With the addition of rising fuel costs and an unreliable public transport system, many people are asking themselves, "Is there a better way?" Yes, there seems to be! There is a growing movement to introduce 15-minute cities to reduce carbon emissions, decrease traffic congestion, and enhance overall quality of life. 

What Are 15-Minute Cities?

This urban planning concept aims to reduce people's dependance on cars by making everything a mere 15-minute walk or bike ride away. So, whatever you need in your daily life - from employment, getting groceries, and dropping off kids at school to visiting the doctor and even going to restaurants - is close by. 

"Such spaces entail multi-purpose neighbourhoods instead of specific zones for working, living, and entertainment, reducing the need for unnecessary travel, strengthening a sense of community, and improving sustainability and livability," explains Deloitte.

This focus on flexibility and the well-being of people in city planning was first coined by Carlos Moreno, an urbanist and professor at Sorbonne University in Paris, in 2016. However, the COVID pandemic that saw people stuck at home further pushed the idea of 15-minute cities. During the worldwide lockdown, daily global CO2 levels dropped by 17% during the early months of the pandemic (according to Nature.com). This brought to light how beneficial it would be if citizens were able to simply walk to the grocery store or the office instead of needing to burn fuel daily.

However, the environmental impact is just one benefit of this hyperlocal concept.  

What Are The Benefits Of 15-Minute Cities? 

There are a host of benefits that come with this 15-minute model, both for society at large and for the individual. 

Less Pollution And Congestion

If people are able to walk or ride a bike as their main forms of transport, the need for fuel will decrease which leads to less polluted cities and roads that are way more free-flowing. This would significantly impact many South Africans. The latest Traffic Index from TomTom shows that the time people spend in traffic steadily increases each year across all South African cities. People in Pretoria spend an average of 145 hours (six days) in rush hour traffic per year, while Capetonians spend 132 hours (five and a half days).

Reduced Expenses For Citizens

You're not only wasting time in traffic but also money. South Africa's petrol price has more than doubled over the last five years, an increase in the cost of living that outpaces inflation-based salary increases. So, while South Africa doesn't make the top 10 in the list of countries with the most expensive fuel prices, South Africans are still paying a larger part of their income on petrol. Not having to drive to work reduces this cost significantly, meaning more money for South Africans at the end of the month. 

Health And Well-Being

Chances are that if people are mostly biking and walking, public health will vastly increase - it would no longer be all that difficult to get your 10,000 steps in. This healthier lifestyle becoming commonplace will help to reduce rates of obesity and other health issues related to a sedentary lifestyle. Not only that, but if you're spending less time commuting, you have more space for personal endeavours and commitments including friends and family. 

Increased Economic Activity 

Fifteen-minute cities come with a host of economic opportunities. If people want amenities to be a short walk away, this means that more small businesses will need to meet this demand. This, in turn, can result in an increase in employment.

Will 15-Minute Cities Work In South Africa?

Sandton Central is a leader in the hyperlocalism living concept in South Africa. Shopping malls, restaurants, schools, office spaces, and more can all be found in the space of a short stroll. Plus, this urban convenience does not come at the expense of green spaces and outdoor activities. Mushroom Park, for instance, features an interactive children's play area, an earth garden, amphitheatre, outdoor gym, and a duck pond.

Century City in Cape Town is another example of the successful integration of working and living zones. Hyperlocalisation is also a growing trend in estates, with many new developments incorporating restaurants, gyms, and even schools to entice people.

Not only are there already examples of 15-minute cities being accepted and enjoyed in South Africa, but the convenience and flexibility of this city model have also become a priority for many people. 

Why 15-Minute Cities Are An Opportunity For Commercial Property Investors 

With the right planning and setup, hyperlocalised living works; and, it's something that many South Africans actually want.

"Research and observations from the property market support the fact that, in general, people will trade size for security and location any day of the week - especially if they can enjoy greater recreational benefits within close proximity of where they sleep," explains the Sandton Times. 

Investors in commercial property have enormous opportunities to capitalise on the increasing demand for mixed-use developments. By integrating residential, commercial, community, and retail spaces, these projects generate revenue from multiple sources of commercial tenancy.

As more and more areas in South Africa take on the 15-minute city model, the demand for commercial properties in these areas is likely to increase, leading to potential long-term growth in property values and rental income.

Fifteen-minute cities present a compelling vision for the future of urban living in South Africa. Self-sufficient and walkable neighbourhoods can help solve some of the issues that South Africans face while creating a positive impact on local businesses and the environment.

Sustainable, socially-conscious developments are attractive to tenants and have the potential for long-term growth. The increase in demand for mixed-use developments and higher rental income potential make 15-minute cities an attractive investment opportunity to take advantage of.

Walkable neighbourhoods are no longer exclusive to places like Paris and New York; South Africa is a prime place to invest in hyperlocalisation for collective and individual benefit.