15-Minute Cities Article and Worksheet PDF

Discussion Starters 15-Minute Cities Pre-Reading The buses are frequent. A. Warm-Up Questions 1. What qualities make a city “livable”? 2. Does your city have reliable public transportation? 3. Is traffic congestion a problem where you live? B. Vocabulary Preview Match up as many words and meanings...

Discussion Starters 15-Minute Cities Pre-Reading The buses are frequent. A. Warm-Up Questions 1. What qualities make a city “livable”? 2. Does your city have reliable public transportation? 3. Is traffic congestion a problem where you live? B. Vocabulary Preview Match up as many words and meanings as you can. Check this exercise again after seeing the words in context on page 2. 1. proximity a) to combine and unite into a whole 2. resident b) a person who is walking in public 3. zoning c) for the purpose of fun or entertainment 4. integrate d) the state of being cheap enough for people to be able to buy 5. commute e) capability to be used by everyone 6. accessibility f) the dividing of a geographical area for different uses, especially a city 7. pedestrian g) the basic organizational structures of a city or country 8. infrastructure h) nearness in distance or time 9. recreational i) the regular journey between one’s home and place of work or study 10. affordability j) a person who lives in a particular place Copyright 2024, Red River Press Inc. For use by Ellii members only. ( H I G H I N T / V E R S I O N 1.1) 1 15-Minute Cities Discussion Starters Reading 15-MINUTE CITIES Shorter distances, stronger communities 1. Wouldn’t it be great to have everything you need within close proximity of your front door? In REEsint recent years, urban planners have promoted the concept of 15-minute cities. Also known as SENtrik “neighbourhood-centric cities” or “complete cities,” these mixed-use environments allow residents to meet their daily needs without getting in a car. Instead of driving, they can get to school, work, or the grocery store in a few minutes by walking, biking, or using public transportation. 2. The following features are central to the idea of the 15-minute city: 3. Mixed-Use Zoning: Residential, commercial, and recreational spaces are integrated into neighbourhoods, reducing the need for long commutes. 4. A  ccessibility: Essential services, stores, workplaces, educational institutions, health-care facilities, and cultural amenities are all nearby, making them easy to get to. 5. Public Transportation: Efficient public transportation systems, such as buses, trams, and subways, play an important role in connecting different neighbourhoods within the city. 6. P  edestrian and Bike-Friendly Infrastructure: Like public transportation, safe and attractive walking areas and bike paths decrease the dependency on cars. Copyright 2024, Red River Press Inc. For use by Ellii members only. 7. Local Businesses: Encouraging the growth of local businesses provides residents with a variety of goods and services close to their homes. 8. Green Spaces: Public parks and gardens enhance the overall quality of life and create recreational opportunities. 9. Community Engagement: Involving residents in planning and decision-making ensures the city meets the needs of its diverse population. 10. A  ffordability: These cities are for everyone, not just the rich. 15-minute cities include housing for various income levels. 11. Critics of the concept worry that residents will feel trapped if they spend all of their time within a 15-minute radius of their homes. Proponents, on the other hand, argue that it will help build strongly connected communities with better air quality and less traffic congestion. What do you think? Is it a matter of isolation and confinement or sustainability and convenience? “Why is it we who have to adapt and degrade our potential quality of life? Why is it not the city that responds to our needs?” —Carlos Moreno, French‑Colombian scholar ( H I G H I N T / V E R S I O N 1.1) 2 15-Minute Cities Discussion Starters Comprehension A. Write the Answer Some Real 15-Minute Cities Discuss these questions in pairs, and write the answers in your notebook. 1. While the idea of the 15-minute city might sound too good to be true, there are actually numerous real cities that have implemented 15-minute city policies, including: Describe the concept of 15-minute cities. 2. What is mixed-use zoning and how does it contribute to the idea of 15-minute cities? 3. What is one concern raised by critics of the 15-minute city concept? 4. Why is community engagement considered a central feature of 15-minute cities? Barcelona, Spain Bogotá, Colombia Buenos Aires, Argentina Melbourne, Australia Milan, Italy Paris, France Portland, Oregon, USA B. True or False Read the statements below. If the statement is true, write T beside the sentence. If it is false, write F and correct the information in your notebook. 1. 15-minute cities are also called “zoning cities.” 2. Residents of 15-minute cities rely on cars to get to where they need to go. 3. If people have a safe place to walk and bike, they are less likely to drive. 4. You can find both expensive and affordable housing in 15-minute cities. 5. Everyone agrees that 15-minute cities are ideal. Copyright 2024, Red River Press Inc. For use by Ellii members only. ( H I G H I N T / V E R S I O N 1.1) 3 15-Minute Cities Discussion Starters Vocabulary Review A. Choose the Word Which word from page 1 is described in the sentence? # Sentence Word 1 Our neighbourhood has nice sidewalks, so I always walk everywhere I go. 2 Parks and green spaces give people somewhere to enjoy their free time. 3 Valentyna drives 30 minutes to work every day. 4 The city spends a lot of money on its roads, bridges, and airport. 5 Julia lives in Mexico City. 6 Eloise moved to the suburbs because living downtown became too expensive. 7 We can’t build apartments here because the city only allows businesses on this street. 8 Diana uses a wheelchair, but the bus system is so great she can go anywhere she wants without a problem. B. Practice Fill in the blanks with words from page 1. You may need to change the word form. 1. Shannon moved to an apartment closer to her work because her morning was too long. every 2. I’d like my city to host the Olympics, but we just don’t have the 3. You always have to watch out for. when you’re driving! 4. I don’t believe we’ve met. Are you a new in this building? 5. The mayor has a plan to parks into more neighbourhoods. 6. There’s a community centre nearby with all sorts of Copyright 2024, Red River Press Inc. For use by Ellii members only. ( H I G H I N T / V E R S I O N 1.1) activities to join. 4 15-Minute Cities Discussion Starters Discussion 1. What businesses and institutions do you consider necessary for daily life? 2. What challenges might cities face in implementing and adapting the 15-minute city concept? 3. How can technology be used to support the development of 15-minute cities? 4. Can the 15-minute city model be adapted to rural and suburban settings, or is it primarily suited for urban environments? Copyright 2024, Red River Press Inc. For use by Ellii members only. ( H I G H I N T / V E R S I O N 1.1) 5