15-minute cities: How they were implicated in rumors of conspiracies

 15-minute cities: How they were implicated in rumors of conspiracies

Previously the domain of fringe social media organizations, have conspiracy theories linking "15-minute cities" to evil plots to subdue the populace now permeated mainstream British politics?

Mark Harper, the transport secretary, claimed he was "calling time on the misuse of so-called "15-minute cities"" while speaking at the Conservative Party conference on Monday.

The "15-minute city" proposal, which has its roots in urban planning, aims to put essential services within a quarter-hour's walk or bike ride of where people reside in cities.

Making sure individuals can bike or walk to the store or school is perfectly acceptable, according to Mr. Harper. That is standard town planning.

"What is sinister and what we shouldn't tolerate is the idea that local councils can dictate how frequently you visit the store, that they can restrict who uses the roads and when, and that they police it all with CCTV," said one person.

However, this is not a true representation of "15-minute cities".

They don't grant authorities any more authority to impose restrictions on people's freedom of movement. Additionally, even though they are designed to cut down on car traffic, they do not prevent people from utilizing other modes of transportation.

The BBC contacted Mr. Harper for clarification on his remarks, which seem to reaffirm notions about evil schemes including the idea of "15-minute cities," but he did not respond.

His remarks come in the wake of federal initiatives to "back drivers" by prohibiting local governments from enacting policies that "aggressively restrict" where individuals can drive.

Later on Monday, urban designer and "15-minute cities" inventor Carlos Moreno made a statement urging the government to change its mind.

"Associating the '15-minute city' anymore with so-called 'liberty-restricting' regulations is tantamount to aligning alongside the most radical and anti-democratic elements," he stated.

Describe 15-minute cities.

The concept behind "15-minute cities" is that everyone should live within a 15-minute walk or bike ride of all the essential facilities we require, such as parks, schools, and clinics.

The ultimate objective is to cut pollutants that contribute to global warming as well as traffic.

Critics counter that access to alternate kinds of transportation is still essentially impossible for many and that vehicles continue to play a significant role in many people's livelihoods.

Several councils, particularly Canterbury, Ipswich, and Birmingham, are incorporating "15-minute cities" into their strategic plans.

Online conspiracy theories have exploded around the subject; many contend that the plans are intended to subjugate the populace and keep them confined to their houses.

However, no council has any plans to forbid residents from traveling outside of that 15-minute range. Instead, the goal is to increase the number of critical services that are close to people's homes.

The concept has frequently been linked to broad conspiracy theories like the "Great Reset" by Telegram channels dedicated to disseminating conspiracy theories like Covid-19 or the conflict in Ukraine.

It was still possible to locate hundreds of posts on various platforms spreading incorrect information about "15-minute cities" even before last week's government declaration.

The center of the storm is in Oxford.

This notion actually started a disinformation storm in Oxford.

The construction of traffic filters, which will be enforced by cameras in six strategic areas, was agreed by Oxfordshire County Council in November.

To encourage the use of public transportation and cycling, only private cars would be authorized through without a permit (which they might use up to 100 days per year).

According to the BBC, one of the cities Mr. Harper had in mind when he mentioned councils that "ration who uses the roads and when" was Oxford.

It is unquestionably not the same as a "15-minute city," despite the fact that some people would find this "controlling."

Many people opposed the traffic filter plan because they were concerned about how the measures may affect their mobility and way of life.

However, there seemed to be a different discourse going on online that combined rumors spread by far-right blogs and fringe media outlets with legitimate complaints about the trial.

Some users on social media claimed this was a part of an evil scheme to keep people in their neighborhoods for the benefit of the environment.

Others incorrectly connected the traffic filter plan to a another council proposal that would have established 15-minute neighborhoods in Oxford.

The Oxfordshire County Council openly denied allegations that there was a connection between the two as well as the assertion that traffic filters will be employed to keep people in their immediate surroundings.

However, the social media craze quickly started to have a genuine effect offline as well: council members started receiving death threats. Residents were asking nervous queries to others.

Emily Kerr, from Oxford City Council, told the BBC at the time, "People have come up to me and asked: is it true that we won't be allowed out of our houses, that it would be just like the coronavirus lockdown?

There were organized leafleting campaigns accusing councils of utilizing people as test subjects.

Soon enough, protesters started interrupting council sessions around the nation.

15-minute cities receive attention

False accusations began to circulate online, and the issue was briefly brought up in Parliament.

A debate on the "international leftist concept of so-called 15-minute cities and 20-minute neighbourhoods," which he claimed would "take away personal freedoms," was requested by Nick Fletcher, the Don Valley-based Conservative MP.

In response, Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the Commons, stated that "local communities ought to be properly consulted when such policies are brought forward."

Minister for Nuclear and Networks Andrew Bowie appeared to concur with Mr. Harper when speaking to Radio 4's PM program.

"This is being discussed on front porches across the nation, in discussion forums, and online."

"People are concerned, and we need to address those concerns."