Some thoughts on living in #15minutecities from the perspective of a 78-year old, my dad Colin.
Dad used to live a 30-minute drive away, but after lockdown, we encouraged him to sell up and buy a place near us, in Bounds Green. He hasn’t had a car in 10 years, but … 1/6
Dad used to live a 30-minute drive away, but after lockdown, we encouraged him to sell up and buy a place near us, in Bounds Green. He hasn’t had a car in 10 years, but … 1/6
living here, he has everything he needs within a 15-minute walking distance. Shops, cafes, the doctors, the tube.
He plays table tennis with a group of retired folks twice a week- it’s a 5-minute walk away. If ever he gets bored of a bit lonely in the week he can pop … 2/6
He plays table tennis with a group of retired folks twice a week- it’s a 5-minute walk away. If ever he gets bored of a bit lonely in the week he can pop … 2/6
to a cafe where people know him.
Having friends and family nearby, he drops in whenever. He came by at 10 PM last night as a fuse had gone in his place.
Living in a 15-minute city, as @charlie_baker23 has said, gives immense freedom. Freedom to live without a car if … 3/6
Having friends and family nearby, he drops in whenever. He came by at 10 PM last night as a fuse had gone in his place.
Living in a 15-minute city, as @charlie_baker23 has said, gives immense freedom. Freedom to live without a car if … 3/6
needed- for those of all ages who don’t have one. Imagine being 13 in a 15-minute city- so much more freedom.
But more than that, for my father, it’s given him the freedom to live independently for longer, knowing he has all the support and services he needs nearby. … 4/6
But more than that, for my father, it’s given him the freedom to live independently for longer, knowing he has all the support and services he needs nearby. … 4/6
People say hello to him in the street all the time- he can barely keep up with who they are.
On Fridays, we walk to a place for karaoke. I walk him home then he walks me! He’s really lucky to have this set up, and I’m lucky to have him nearby- it can’t always work out …
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On Fridays, we walk to a place for karaoke. I walk him home then he walks me! He’s really lucky to have this set up, and I’m lucky to have him nearby- it can’t always work out …
5/6
like this for families. But I would love to see a set- up like this for as many people as possible. It’s something to aim for. It creates a village. And that is the most human thing of all.
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My auntie came to visit who lives in a village, and said that this is more of a village here. I’ll never forget in lockdown when a new mum had shingles and couldn’t leave the house, and a complete stranger on a street what’s app ran to the chemist to get something soothing 💙
I asked dad, BTW, what he thought of the fact that he could walk everywhere he needed. He said “Yeah, good!” So that’s that then 😃
Dad has always lived a bit like this- he was a lecturer at Middlesex University and lived a 5- minute walk alway.
(He also lived in Colin Crescent in Colindale because it made him feel like a king, but that’s another story!) He’d walk to work, our school, the shops. It’s 👌🏻👌🏻
(He also lived in Colin Crescent in Colindale because it made him feel like a king, but that’s another story!) He’d walk to work, our school, the shops. It’s 👌🏻👌🏻
The 15-minute city is NOT just for the elderly or a specific group, it’s better for everyone. When my kids were small we had friends we could walk to the park with at 9AM on a Saturday morning, and have play dates nearby. We could go for food in the evening after kids’ … /1
bedtime. Me and others have been breastfeeding, and been able to pop out for an hour to see friends with some lippy on, and get back in 5 minutes if the baby woke up. #15minutecities give us the freedom to not have to be ruled by cars. Drive if you want. But you don’t have to. /2
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