The 15-minute city is an urban model that redefines the relationship between residents and urban space. Its main idea assumes that all daily needs – from shopping and education, through healthcare, to recreation and transportation – are accessible within a 15-minute radius by walking, cycling, or public transport. This human-centered approach to city planning is gaining increasing importance in the face of challenges such as traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and declining quality of life in urban agglomerations.
The concept, promoted globally by Prof. Carlos Moreno, is based on four pillars: proximity, diversity, density, and digitalization. The city should be functional, local, and sustainable – without the need to travel long distances to handle daily affairs. In this model, urban space takes on a new meaning – it becomes not just the backdrop of life, but an active participant: promoting health, facilitating social interactions, and supporting the local economy.
Green roofs, water retention systems, cycling infrastructure, and district-level service planning are not add-ons, but the foundations of modern urban planning. A well-designed 15-minute city not only improves quality of life, but also has a real impact on reducing the carbon footprint and fostering civic societies. Sharing spaces and resources – from city bikes, through community kitchens, to local shared service centers – is also key.
Although the idea is not new – its roots trace back to Clarence Perry’s neighborhood unit concept and the garden city model – only today, thanks to advanced technologies and the pressure for sustainable development, it has a real chance of wide implementation. Paris remains the model example, but other cities – Utrecht, Barcelona, and in Poland Kraków or Łódź – are taking first steps in this direction, sometimes with support from global initiatives such as C40 Cities.
In this study, we will closely examine the principles of the 15-minute city concept – its origins, practical solutions, implementation examples, as well as potential challenges and development directions. We will explore the real benefits for residents and whether it can become a new standard in 21st-century urban planning.
What is the 15-minute city concept?
The 15-minute city is an urban concept that organizes space to be maximally resident-friendly – allowing people to meet their daily needs within fifteen minutes from their home. This includes access to shops, services, education, health, work, leisure, and culture – without the need for a car. The model promotes locality, community, and sustainable development.
Main principles and model definition
At the center of this idea is the person and their time, rather than transport infrastructure or functional zoning. The model assumes decentralization of services, combining functions, and creating a complete urban unit within walking or cycling distance. In this way, the city becomes a polycentric structure composed of local “micro-centers.”
Instead of dividing space into residential, office, and service zones – as in traditional planning – the 15-minute city integrates these functions into a cohesive urban structure based on density and diversity.
Carlos Moreno – the idea creator and global promoter
The author and main promoter of the 15-minute city idea is Prof. Carlos Moreno, a French researcher from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. In response to environmental, social, and urban crises, Moreno proposed a new paradigm for organizing urban life, considering mobility, quality of life, and efficient use of space.
In his model, he highlighted four functional pillars:
Proximity – physical accessibility of services and functions,
Diversity – mixing land uses and social integration,
Density – supporting infrastructure efficiency,
Digitalization – enabling flexibility and reducing mobility needs.
The role of spatial planning in implementing the concept
Implementing the model requires a shift in urban planning and city policy. Traditional planning based on functional zoning must be replaced with designing multifunctional blocks that incorporate local service, social, and recreational infrastructure. Integrated planning of transport, green spaces, and residential buildings is crucial.
Implementation also involves housing policy – variety of housing types, including units of different sizes and standards, is necessary for social stability. Investments in green and blue infrastructure, supporting cities’ climate resilience, are also essential.
Elements of comfortable living in a 15-minute city
Comfortable living in a 15-minute city results from the synergy of several key urban elements: service accessibility, human-friendly mobility, greenery, multifunctional buildings, and local community. It’s not just about location, but the quality of daily experience – from commuting to work to how and where we spend leisure time.
Access to local services, education, and healthcare
The foundation of the 15-minute city model is proximity to essential service points and institutions. Grocery stores, pharmacies, kindergartens, schools, and clinics – all should be in the immediate neighborhood.
This principle is increasingly implemented by residential developers. For example, Resi Capital, designing complexes like Apartamenty Reytana in Bielsko-Biała or Wima Apartments in Łódź, applies the compact urban neighborhood model. With thoughtfully designed structures – including service premises, common spaces, and access to education and healthcare nearby – residents gain daily convenience without long commutes.
Public transport, cycling infrastructure, and walking promotion
Low-impact mobility – walking, cycling, and public transport – is the foundation of a 15-minute city. Modern neighborhoods increasingly emphasize sustainable mobility and reducing car dependence. Key elements include:
a dense network of public transport stops,
cycling infrastructure (paths, parking, rental stations),
priority for pedestrians in public spaces.
For Resi Capital investments, locations like Katowicka Residence and Grundmanna in Katowice provide excellent transport accessibility – for both residents and rental investors. Proximity to trams, buses, main roads, and cycling paths is not an addition – it is part of a sustainable development strategy.
Public and green spaces as a quality of life foundation
Greenery in a 15-minute city plays a dual functional and social role. Parks, squares, playgrounds, green courtyards, and rain gardens encourage neighborhood interaction and a healthy lifestyle.
Developers like Resi Capital consider this in practice – in projects such as Wima Apartments, Global Apartments, or Quorum in Wrocław, green spaces are part of the architectural concept. Residents have access to boulevards, terraces, recreational areas, green patios, or parks within their district.
Mixed-use development and service decentralization
The 15-minute city is based on mixing spatial functions: residential, service, office, and recreational. Mixed-use development means that in one building or block one can work, shop, exercise, and live.
Resi Capital successfully implements this model, examples include:
Global Apartments in Katowice – part of a mixed-use complex with offices, apartments, and services,
Quorum Apartments – a prestigious Wrocław project integrating residential, service, and social functions along the Odra river.
This approach creates complete urban blocks, forming micro-communities and reducing the need to travel between districts.
The 15-minute city and sustainable development
The 15-minute city is not just about convenience – it also addresses the environmental challenges of modern agglomerations. Shorter distances, fewer cars, more greenery, and shared resources are concrete steps to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and increase cities’ climate resilience.
Ecological solutions: green roofs and water retention systems
In the 15-minute city model, architecture and nature cooperate, not compete. Buildings serve people and become active parts of the local ecosystem. Examples increasingly used in cities include:
Green roofs and facades reducing temperature and improving microclimate,
Stormwater retention systems – tanks and rain gardens minimizing flood risks,
Low-carbon materials for construction, insulation, and finishing.
These are not only eco-friendly actions – they are investments in practical city resilience, enhancing life quality: less noise, lower energy consumption, and reduced bills.
Sharing goods as a lifestyle element
The 15-minute city encourages sharing resources instead of owning them individually. Urban planning and daily habits change, including:
shared bikes, scooters, cars (carsharing),
community libraries, kitchens, tool libraries,
community gardens and parcel lockers.
This approach gives residents access to more services at lower costs. Sharing becomes convenient, economically rational, and strengthens social bonds.
Local focus and supporting neighborhood communities
A sustainable city is also a community that feels responsible for the place they live. Proximity to service, educational, recreational, and cultural spaces encourages more frequent interactions, engagement, and safety.
In the 15-minute city:
we more often choose local service providers,
we meet at the same places (cafes, squares, markets),
we co-create the space – from community events to micro-budgets.
This is a human-scale city, where anonymity of a metropolis gives way to neighborhood and shared responsibility.
Historical roots and idea evolution
The 15-minute city is not a revolution – it is a thoughtful evolution of human-centered urban planning ideas. Its foundations can be found in urban concepts developed over a century ago, which today gain new relevance in the context of mobility, climate, and life quality.
Garden cities and neighborhood units as precursor models
At the beginning of the 20th century, urban planning sought a balance between urban density and access to nature. Examples include:
Garden City by Ebenezer Howard – self-sufficient neighborhoods with greenery, services, and work within walking distance.
Neighborhood unit by Clarence Perry – US concept of a neighborhood with short walking access to school, store, and park.
Both models share the principle of contemporary 15-minute cities: daily life should be local, accessible, and sustainable.
Le Corbusier and the Athens Charter – functional planning
In the 1930s, French architect Le Corbusier and the International Congress of Modern Architecture (CIAM) created the Athens Charter, which influenced urban development for decades. Space was divided into functions: living, working, recreation, and transportation – each separated.
While logical during industrialization, today we see that rigid functional zoning caused urban sprawl, congestion, and loss of local cohesion. The 15-minute city reverses this trend, returning to integration of functions and proximity.
Examples of implementations in Europe and Poland
The 15-minute city has ceased to be an idea – it is a reality in many European and Polish agglomerations. Implementations vary in scale, pace, and method, but all share a common goal: adapting urban space to residents’ daily needs without long commutes. Their results show that service decentralization and pedestrian priority are possible – even in densely urbanized centers.
Paris – pioneer of urban transformation
Paris symbolizes the international adoption of the 15-minute city concept. Under Mayor Anne Hidalgo and with Prof. Carlos Moreno, the city underwent comprehensive urban transformation. The aim was not only to reduce emissions but also restore micro-scale quality of life.
In practice, this includes:
removing car lanes in favor of bike paths and pedestrian streets,
transforming schools into local life centers, accessible also after school hours,
local service and retail zones in every district – so residents don’t need to commute to the center,
green courtyards, micro-parks, and neighborhood gardens, created on rooftops or former parking areas.
The result is a tangible improvement in air quality, reduced car traffic, and restored social bonds. Paris has become a global model, recognized within the C40 Cities initiative.
Utrecht – the district as a self-sufficient unit
Utrecht exemplifies a medium-sized city implementing locality through consistent district planning. The Dutch “wijk” structure – a neighborhood district – assumes full spatial self-sufficiency within walking distance. Residents have access to:
kindergartens, schools, healthcare,
shops, cafes, basic services,
recreational areas and neighborhood sports fields,
safe pedestrian-cycling infrastructure and shared relaxation zones.
The city also implemented regulations limiting private car ownership and extensively develops shared resources: bikes, cars, tools, and community kitchens. Utrecht achieved the lowest dependency on private transport in the Netherlands, despite population growth.
Barcelona – superblocks (superilles) as spatial reorganization
Barcelona implemented superilles – superblocks, integrated urban units where car traffic is limited to the perimeter, and interiors are for pedestrians and cyclists. In these blocks:
streets become social and relaxation spaces,
community gardens, outdoor libraries, and coworking areas are created,
residents have direct access to services, education, and recreation.
Superilles are a physical manifestation of the 15-minute city, where public space serves residents, not through traffic.
Polish Initiatives
In Poland, the idea of the 15-minute city is being implemented gradually – often as a result of revitalization projects, participatory programs, or changes in investment planning.
Łódź – Revitalization as a Tool for Transformation
Łódź is a leader in transforming post-industrial areas into modern, functional neighborhoods. A good example is Widzewska Manufaktura, whose transformation includes:
residential buildings,
service spaces,
public park and recreational paths,
integration with Aleja Piłsudskiego – the city's main artery.
This project aligns with the 15-minute city concept in terms of both location and function. Residents gain full infrastructure within walking distance and access to social spaces rooted in local history.
Kraków and Gdańsk – Decentralization of Urban Functions
Both cities focus on activating neighborhoods through:
development of urban gardens and shared spaces,
support for local services and micro-enterprises,
use of participatory budgets for local projects.
In Kraków, new planning strategies emphasize locality and green mobility. In Gdańsk, the so-called "neighborhoods with character" – local programs promoting ecological and social resilience – have been successful.
Warsaw – Transformation Through Micro-Changes
Despite its size and car dependency, Warsaw consistently implements micro-urban transformations:
creating woonerfs (shared streets) in Śródmieście and Praga,
developing micro-parks and street greenery,
expanding bicycle routes and Tempo 30 zones.
Strategically, the city also promotes development of local service centers, laying the groundwork for full 15-minute city implementation in the future.
Resi Capital – Implementing the 15-Minute City Concept as a Developer
Resi Capital – part of the Cavatina Group – is one of the first developers in Poland to consistently implement the 15-minute city principles in residential projects. This model is not just a marketing slogan but a concrete planning and design strategy visible in both location and functionality of the estates.
Wima Apartments – Revitalized Urban Structure in Central Łódź
The Wima Apartments project exemplifies modern adaptation of historical urban fabric. Built on the former Widzewska Manufaktura site, it includes:
high-standard apartments with access to services, gastronomy, and education,
internal park, recreational paths, and green areas integrated with the buildings,
a local neighborhood life center based on sustainable transport and community services.
This comprehensive urban environment fits the self-sufficient neighborhood model – all key resident needs can be met within a few hundred meters.
Reytana Apartments – City Center as a Local Space in Bielsko-Biała
In Bielsko-Biała, Resi Capital implements Reytana Apartments, located in the city center on the former Befama factory site. The project:
combines residential, service, and recreational functions,
provides access to shops, schools, and public transport,
features green courtyards, safe playgrounds, and shared spaces.
This is an example of an integrated mixed-use estate that revitalizes an important urban fragment while offering residents full convenience.
Katowice – Network of Local Compact Investments
Resi Capital develops several projects in Katowice following the 15-minute city logic:
Grundmanna Apartments – near business centers, universities, and services,
Katowicka Residence – overlooking Spodek and MCK, integrated with the city center fabric,
Global Apartments – part of a large mixed-use complex (Global Office Park) with access to offices, dining, and green terraces.
Common features: proximity to services, priority for urban mobility, and high-quality shared spaces. Resi designs estates as “neighborhoods in a nutshell,” focusing on everyday convenience and urban planning for the future.
15-Minute City and Mental & Social Well-Being
The 15-minute city is not only a spatial solution – it is also a model supporting mental health and social balance. Proximity, accessibility, locality, and green surroundings impact not only physical comfort but also residents’ well-being, interpersonal relationships, and sense of belonging.
Less Stress, More Time – Benefits for Mental Health
In traditional cities, much time is lost commuting and in traffic. In a 15-minute city:
Time saved thanks to short distances can be used for relaxation, sports, or family time,
Contact with greenery reduces stress and improves concentration,
Coherent local spaces reduce pressure from constant movement.
This directly improves sleep quality, life satisfaction, and reduces professional burnout.
Neighborhoods That Foster Social Connections
In a 15-minute city, residents can naturally build neighborly bonds and local identity through daily interactions in shops, cafes, parks, and playgrounds. Locality provides a platform for:
frequent informal meetings,
creating neighborhood support networks,
participation in community events.
Research shows that strong social ties are a key factor in protecting mental health, and urban spaces can effectively support them if well-designed.
Revitalization as the Foundation of the 15-Minute City
Renewing post-industrial spaces and transforming them into multifunctional estates is one of the most effective ways to implement the 15-minute city concept. It preserves heritage, efficiently uses existing infrastructure, and gives new identity to neglected neighborhoods.
Second Life for Old Factories
Many Polish cities successfully transform urban wastelands into modern local life centers:
Widzewska Manufaktura (Łódź) – transforming a 19th-century textile complex into a modern district with housing, services, and green areas,
Befama (Bielsko-Biała) – converting a former factory into a residential estate while preserving historical fabric and adding new functionality.
These projects create urban blocks with diverse functions, integrated with local infrastructure, fitting the compact city concept.
Adaptation Instead of Expansion
Revitalization aligns with sustainable urban planning:
reduces pressure on new investment areas,
limits city sprawl and the need to build infrastructure from scratch,
minimizes the carbon footprint of construction by adapting existing structures.
This is an economically and ecologically justified urban development method, combining heritage preservation with modern residents’ needs.
Why 15-Minute Neighborhoods Attract Investors
The 15-minute city model is not only an attractive living environment but also an increasingly desirable investment direction. Proximity to services, good transport links, and quality spaces influence property value and rental stability – both short- and long-term.
Stable Value, High Rental Potential
Homes in 15-minute city locations offer:
steady demand among residents seeking convenient, car-free living,
greater interest from tenants (students, young professionals, remote workers),
better value retention – proximity to infrastructure reduces the risk of price drops during transport or energy crises.
Developers increasingly design projects to meet 15-minute city criteria because it translates into higher investment attractiveness and lower vacancy risk.
Transparency and Market Resilience
Investments in spaces that are:
good for daily life, and
flexible for rental or resale
are more resilient to market fluctuations than properties in mono-functional areas. The 15-minute city provides not only a good location but a complete urban environment, making it a more stable long-term asset.
Role of Organizations and Urban Strategies
Implementing the 15-minute city concept requires not only decisions from local authorities but also systemic strategies, international cooperation, and institutional support. Today, large-scale implementation relies on urban policy programs, EU funding, and actions by organizations such as C40 Cities.
C40 Cities – Global network supporting 15-minute cities
C40 Cities is an international network of over 100 cities working to combat climate change and improve urban quality of life. The organization supports the implementation of 15-minute city strategies by:
providing ready-to-use planning tools and guidelines,
funding pilot and revitalization projects,
facilitating experience exchange between cities – including Paris, Barcelona, Portland, Buenos Aires, and Milan,
promoting policies in sustainable transport, green infrastructure, and spatial equity.
C40 Cities treats the 15-minute city model as a cornerstone of future urbanism, capable of addressing both the climate crisis and social isolation.
How cities implement 15-minute planning strategies
Implementing this concept does not always require a complete city overhaul. The most effective implementations are based on evolution, not revolution – through:
identifying local neighborhood centers and strengthening their service functions,
updating local plans – with priority for mixed-use development,
creating compact neighborhoods with access to services, schools, and green spaces,
reorganizing public transport and expanding pedestrian and cycling infrastructure,
supporting local entrepreneurs and service providers as a pillar of urban self-sufficiency.
In many cases, cooperation between local governments and developers planning new investments (such as Resi Capital projects) is crucial, as they can effectively complement the city’s network of everyday services and functions.
The future of 15-minute cities
The 15-minute city model is becoming an increasingly realistic alternative to traditional, sprawling, car-centric planning. Its role is growing in climate, housing, and health strategies. This is not a temporary trend – it is a long-term shift in urban thinking.
Could the model become a standard in urban planning?
In the coming years, the 15-minute city could become the dominant model in urban planning in Europe and North America. Factors supporting this include:
pressures from the European Union and the UN to develop sustainable urban communities,
growing importance of quality of life, proximity, and low-carbon mobility,
demographic pressure and aging populations that need “on-site” cities,
changes in work style (home office, coworking) reducing the need for daily commuting.
More and more cities – including in Poland – are updating their planning documents (development strategies, condition studies, local plans) with a focus on locality and multifunctionality. This means that the 15-minute model is not only feasible – it is becoming necessary.
What changes await residents in the coming years?
In future cities, residents can expect:
more services and public functions close to home,
streets transformed into pedestrian and community spaces,
increased use of bicycles, car-sharing, and micro-mobility,
shared spaces instead of private ownership (e.g., kitchens, tool libraries, coworking spaces),
modern ecological solutions (green roofs, rain gardens, energy neutrality).
These are also lifestyle changes: less commuting, more free time, greater contact with neighbors, and real influence on the immediate environment.
The 15-minute city is not a utopia but a well-thought-out and feasible strategy for shaping urban space. It combines logical planning, social closeness, ecological responsibility, and high quality of everyday life. Regardless of city size or country, this model can be adapted to local conditions – as proven by Paris, Utrecht, Barcelona, and many initiatives in Poland.
Implementing this approach requires cooperation among local governments, urban planners, developers, and residents. It is a process that does not end with plans – it requires real investments in shared space, infrastructure, and new city management models.
More and more residential projects – like those carried out by Resi Capital – show that the concept of 15-minute living is no longer the future. It is happening here and now.
In a world where time, health, and locality become the new luxury, the 15-minute city could become the standard – both in urban planning and in residents’ everyday expectations of the places where they live.
What distinguishes Resi Capital projects from other developers?
Resi Capital projects stand out for fully implementing 15-minute city principles – from location to functions, services, and green spaces. The company designs estates as integrated urban units where residents have shops, kindergartens, public transport, and recreational areas within walking distance. Examples include Wima Apartments in Łódź and Reytana Apartments in Bielsko-Biała, located on revitalized sites close to city centers and urban infrastructure.
Does Resi Capital apply the mixed-use concept in its projects?
Yes. Resi Capital consistently implements the mixed-use approach, combining residential, service, and social functions within a single investment or urban block. An example is the Global Apartments project in Katowice, which is part of a larger complex with offices, gastronomy, and public spaces. This allows residents to have everything “on-site” without commuting between districts.
What locations does Resi Capital choose for new investments?
Resi Capital selects urban locations that enable the implementation of the 15-minute city model – close to the city center, with developed public transport and access to social infrastructure. The company’s projects are in Łódź, Katowice, Bielsko-Biała, and Wrocław – cities investing in sustainable development and spatial revitalization. Each location is analyzed for service accessibility, transport, greenery, and local community development potential.
Are Resi projects attractive to tenants?
Yes – Resi Capital projects are designed for everyday convenience, which translates into high demand from tenants, both short- and long-term. Apartments located near universities, business centers, and transport, while having access to greenery and services, are more competitive on the rental market. The developer also offers turnkey finishes, speeding up the investment process.
Does the 15-minute city model increase residential investment value?
Absolutely. Apartments in locations aligned with the 15-minute city model – with access to services, transport, and green areas – retain value better than those in peripheral, mono-functional neighborhoods. Individual investors increasingly prefer such locations because they are more resilient to crises and market changes. Resi Capital projects respond to these expectations – combining location stability with modern standards.