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The 15-minute city model has emerged as a solution to car dependency, urban inequity, and the climate crisis. The concept is straightforward: through urban planning, ensure that all residents can meet their daily needs within a short walk or bike ride from home, making high-carbon travel a choice rather than a necessity
The essential services and amenities that constitute an ideal 15-minute city include green and public spaces for recreation, grocery shops, pharmacies, educational and healthcare institutions, and workspace areas.
This approach makes high-carbon travel a choice rather than a necessity, fostering a more sustainable and equitable urban environment.
What Makes a 15-Minute City?
An ideal 15-minute city is designed with all essential services and amenities within easy reach. This includes green spaces and public areas for recreation, grocery stores, pharmacies, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and workspace areas. By creating a self-sufficient urban ecosystem, the 15-minute city reduces the need for long commutes and car dependency, promoting healthier lifestyles and cleaner air.
Across Great Britain, 68% of commuters use a car to get to work (source). This reliance contributes significantly to road traffic, which is the primary source of harmful fine particulate matter, including PM10, PM2.5, and NO2. The adoption of the 15-minute city model could drastically reduce these pollutants, improving air quality and public health.
The Role of Air Quality Data in the 15-Minute City
To fully realize the potential of the 15-minute city in improving air quality, urban planners and local authorities need accurate, real-time air quality data. This is where Airly comes into play. Airly provides comprehensive air quality monitoring through its advanced sensors, which track key pollutants such as particulate matter (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), NO2, O3, SO2, H2S, NO, and CO gases. In addition, Airly sensors offer reliable data on essential weather parameters like temperature, humidity, and air pressure.
With this data, cities can not only monitor air quality but also share this information with residents. This transparency inspires change and encourages more environmentally conscious habits in daily routines. For example, predictions indicate that if just 100 people switch from driving to biking, it could reduce carbon emissions by 460 metric tonnes per year—a significant impact in the fight against climate change.
Airly Quality Sensors: The Key to Cleaner Air
Airly’s air quality sensors are designed to be easy to install, small, and unobtrusive, making them a practical choice for any urban environment. With over 7,000 sensors installed worldwide, Airly has proven its quality and reliability in various climate conditions. The data collected by these sensors is accessible through the Airly Data Platform, Airly Map, or Mobile App, providing comprehensive insights into local air quality.
By integrating Airly’s environmental data, cities and businesses can expand their offerings and enhance their image as socially responsible entities. Partnering with Airly means gaining peace of mind, knowing that air quality is being monitored by professionals who have been prioritizing this issue for the last eight years.
The Global Shift Towards 15-Minute Cities
As of 2023, 16 cities worldwide have embraced the 15-minute city model, with notable examples including Paris, Bogotá, Melbourne, Oxford, Bristol, and Birmingham. These cities are leading the way in creating sustainable urban environments that prioritize the well-being of their residents.
Join the Movement
The 15-minute city model offers a vision of a more sustainable, equitable, and healthy future. By leveraging real-time air quality data from Airly, cities can make this vision a reality, ensuring that all residents can enjoy clean air and a high quality of life. Contact us today.