Guided by scientists from Chaire ETI at the Sorbonne Business School, the Mayor of Paris adopted the compelling “15-Minute City” concept to unite and propel a progressive urban reform portfolio. Spanning a wide range of public interventions and investments across mobility, housing, economic development, education and culture, Paris’ ambition has sparked a global movement to tackle car dominance, climate change and urban inequality simultaneously.
The climate emergency, spiraling inequality and COVID-19 pandemic all challenged cities. In Paris, the pandemic struck just as local government made ambitious commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050, while promising to increase residents’ well-being, employment opportunities and the equitable distribution of benefits across the city.
- Opened schoolyards on weekends to allow for local activities in neighborhoods
- Turned office buildings into multi-use housing
- Pedestrianized streets around schools and banned cars in designated parts of the city
- Supported expansion of local shops and businesses via a property fund and commercial property companies like SEMAEST
- Encouraged diversification of social housing through Paris Habitat, a subsidiary of the city government
- Inspired similar initiatives across five continents, becoming a a global concept
- Increased pedestrian activities, urban green areas, open spaces and non-motorized mobility in Paris
- Reduced car dependency, pollution and commute times
- Connected residents of different backgrounds to increased opportunities
- Created 1000+ kilometers of bike lanes, 12 pedestrian squares, seven urban forests and transformed a former highway along the Seine River into a new urban park
