Imagine taking control of your time…A lifestyle that isn’t driven by traffic and relying on public transport.
This appealing standard of living is real in the 15-minute City scenario. It’s not a new concept, but rather the remodelling of the name, and it’s a theory similar to that of urban diversity activist, Jane Jacobs – “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody.”
The 15-minute City creates an ecosystem for communities to thrive in, the opportunity for corner stores to spring to life once again and for local business to prosper.
It eliminates commutes for work and personal errands, it promotes a healthier nation increasing exercise and decreasing carbon emissions.
It brings all the necessary facilities for work, school, health and play into a vicinity that is quick and easy to access by walking or a quick bicycle ride.
The Coronavirus Effect
The Coronavirus has forced many employers to rethink their working model, proving that employees are capable of working in a remote work fashion, while also delivering productively.
In fact studies show that the pandemic only had a 1% reduction in productivity in remote working. While 40% or the workforce sampled in this study would prefer to work from home indefinitely.
And, employers have had the best test run of this #futureofwork scenario over the months in 2020.
The thought of thousands of coworking hubs popping up across Europe, is a precursor to the global trend that could potentially take the world by storm…
Coworking as a cornerstone
Coworking spaces are already well known for the collaboration that it promotes, the diverse skill sets and industries that it brings together.
The community dynamic that it builds, the business ventures that are born here but also the very core values that coworking spaces adopt –
- Community
- Openness
- Sustainability
- Collaboration
- Accessibility
Ultimately the 15-minute City also follows these principles.
More than JUST a Space, it’s a community.
In a recent European Coworking Assembly podcast, Stephanie Gamauf, a coworking activist in Brixton, London, mentions how much more their coworking space is in the community – people working in the local food distribution and growing industry came together to brainstorm how to improve their local food systems.
It resulted in a location centrally positioned in Brixton, for surplus food where different shops and supermarkets put any food that will go to waste, and the local community has access to it.
Coworking Innovation
Coworking spaces have the opportunity to become so much more than just a working space but rather a central community point…
And, the thought of a traditional coworking space is also being challenged as Daryn DeZengotita from Table Coworking spoke about in another ECA Values Podcast.
In Texas, she uses a local church to provide coworking space from Monday to Friday. Opening up the field for other existing buildings to easily double up for use outside their working hours thus offering a far greater sustainability model as well.
This is just the tip of the discussion on the #FutureofWorkandLife in the 15-minute City…
September 21st at 1 PM Laëtitia Vitaud from Welcome to the Jungle, Antonin Yuji Maeno from Cutwork Studio and our very own Bernie Mitchell is hosting an interactive discussion on the future we can anticipate in the ‘complete neighbourhood’ ideal.
Be sure to book your free virtual seat here.