The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, recently met with Carlos Moreno, a professor at Sorbonne University who is known for his idea of "the city of 15 minutes".
The concept refers to being able to access all basic services, such as healthcare, education, green spaces, and entertainment, within a 15-minute walking or cycling distance. During their conversation, the two discussed issues related to sustainable urban development, the green transition of cities, and free access to public spaces.
They agreed to establish joint working groups to explore the possibilities of implementing holistic interventions at a pilot level in selected parts of Athens, in partnership with the C40 network.
Haris Doukas emphasized the importance of cities in the fight against climate change, stating that a new, green, and socially responsible contract is necessary.
This contract would change our production model, making it resilient and inclusive, and require the readjustment of all planning and action. He also spoke about the practicalities of implementing concepts like "the 15-minute city" and "the sustainable neighborhood", which are already being embraced in other cities worldwide. He stressed that people's needs must always be a priority when planning urban renewals.
