True to its commitment to building a livable, green, and sustainable community for QCitizens, the Quezon City Government has started exploring the 15-minute city strategy.
The 15-minute city, introduced by Sorbonne University Professor Carlos Moreno, is an urban model that ensures all essential services such as healthcare, job opportunities, parks and open spaces, and education, are accessible to residents within a short walk or bike ride from their houses.
It decentralizes the traditional city life services and brings them down to communities, thus boosting the local economy, cutting down car emissions, promoting urban biodiversity and inclusivity, and providing people with easy access to healthy food options and quality green spaces.
“When we went to Paris for the Plastic Treaty Forum, we were amazed by their 15-minute city sites as all the basic services for the people are within their reach. We want to replicate this setup here in Quezon City to make urban development people-centered and to further improve the quality of life of every QCitizen,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.
To know more about the 15-minute city and the benefits it can do for QC, the city has gathered a pool of researchers from departments to study the model including the Office of the City Administrator (OCA), Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability Department (CCESD), City Planning and Development Department (CPDD),City Architect Department (CAD), Parks Development and Administration Department (PDAD), Transport and Traffic Management Department (TTMD), and Barangay and Community Relations Department (BCRD).
The city has also started mapping barangays through the centralized Geographic Information System (GIS) to visualize their geographic data and determine what basic services are most needed in each community.
According to CCESD Head Andrea Villaroman, after the study, the city government will be engaging with QCitizens residing in each area to collect data and identify the core elements that their community needs.
“Apart from making services accessible to residents, the 15-minute city concept is also a way of conserving and protecting the environment. It supports the city’s goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2050,” Villaroman said.
The city will also develop comprehensive strategies and plans, and improve the infrastructure in each community.
After the study and planning process, Quezon City will be the first city in the Philippines to adopt the concept that pushes for a walkable, sustainable, and people-friendly urban design.
“People’s participation plays a big role in the realization of the 15-minute city concept. Every effort from the residents, private sector, and other government agencies is vital towards our vision of building a liveable, sustainable, and climate-resilient city,” Mayor Belmonte added.
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