Tackling the climate emergency is not just a necessity but an urgent priority. In his work, Carlos Moreno highlights the direct connection between urbanization, our way of life, and the environmental challenges we face, such as rising temperatures to biodiversity loss and resource scarcity. Cities, he asserts, are both the problem and the solution.
Carlos Moreno, an internationally acclaimed researcher and urbanist renowned for pioneering the «15-Minute City» concept, discusses how, for decades, cities have been designed around zoning and long distances, prioritizing speed and expansion over human well-being. This has led to a distorted urban life where people are forced into long commutes, reducing time for socialization, culture, and community engagement. In his work, Moreno challenges this paradigm, describing how urban design has turned people into “centaurs” half-human, half-car trapped in a cycle of inefficiency and pollution.
Drawing inspiration from Nobel laureates Muhammad Yunus and Paul Krugman, Moreno advocates for a shift away from rigid zoning towards an integrated, socially and functionally mixed urban environment. He emphasizes the need for cities that prioritize human dignity over concrete and pollution, ensuring a higher quality of life for future generations.
Carlos Moreno discusses real-world applications of these ideas, particularly in Paris, where the mayor adopted his vision of a polycentric city focused on accessibility, social diversity, and sustainability. This concept gained momentum globally, especially after COVID-19, as city leaders and organizations like the United Nations and C40 recognized the need for more localized, resilient urban models.
At the core of Carlos Moreno’s vision is the 15-minute city—a groundbreaking urban model designed to bring life’s essentials within easy reach. The central concept is that work, education, healthcare, and leisure should be accessible within a short, sustainable commute, reducing our reliance on long, exhausting journeys. But Moreno’s idea goes beyond cutting emissions; it is about reclaiming time—time for ourselves, for our families, for our communities, and for the planet. In his view, urban design should serve as a tool not just for efficiency, but for restoring balance and well-being in everyday life.
Moreno challenges the outdated notion that urban progress is measured by sprawling development and relentless expansion. Instead, he envisions cities built on proximity, where every neighborhood functions as a thriving hub. The fight for better cities, he argues, is no longer just about providing shelter but about ensuring that urban spaces offer dignity, connection, and a true sense of belonging. Public spaces, he believes, should be places of social connection where people engage with one another rather than remain trapped in endless commutes. Inspired by Pascal’s idea of a boundless sphere, he describes the 15-minute city as one where every district is a vibrant center, freeing us from the rigid, car-dependent structures of the past.
Moreno’s call to action is clear: citizens, policymakers, and businesses must unite in a revolution of proximity—one that reclaims cities for people, not just vehicles. By prioritizing low-carbon transport, local economies, and human-centric design, he believes we can transform cities from mere places of residence into spaces of true fulfilment, where people don’t just live, but truly thrive.