In the 21st century, cities have ceased competing by the number of skyscrapers or the size of their shopping malls. Today, the most valuable currency is time, the time that megacities can return to their residents. There is no longer a need to spend countless hours stuck in traffic or commuting on public transportation; instead, this time can be invested in a higher quality of life. This shift represents the new standard in modern urban planning.
“Time in the city must be measurable, that’s the most important thing. In reality, in Tbilisi you can reach any point from anywhere in about 40 minutes. In a large city, 40 minutes is nothing. The real problem arises when you cannot measure time when you cannot predict how long it will take to get from point A to point B. Time is the same as money. If you have one lari, you should know what you can buy with it. But if the value of that lari changes every day, it becomes useless. Money is like a religion: part of society agrees that it has power and functions as a medium of exchange. Time is a similar component we have made measurable,” – Says Nikoloz Lekveishvili, Architect.
Central to this evolution is the 15-minute city concept, which envisions urban spaces where all essential services, workplaces, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, shops, parks, and recreational areas are accessible within 15 minutes on foot or by bicycle. The objective is to enable everyone, regardless of age or physical ability, to reach their daily needs within this short time frame.
This model creates neighborhoods tailored to human scale, where residents can work, shop, learn, and relax without relying on cars. In addition to improving the quality of urban life, it aims to enhance environmental sustainability and economic vitality.
“In the city, time must be calculable, and this can only happen if alternative transport exists that allows precise planning of how long it will take to reach a destination. These alternatives are buses, bicycles, metro, walking, and so on. The one thing you cannot measure is time by car. Nowadays, cars are simply a matter of comfort; they are not an essential element of the city. In the transport hierarchy, cars should be at the very bottom. Everything else: bus, metro, bicycle, pedestrian should come higher, because they are measurable. That’s why, if we take the concept of the 15-minute city, those 15 minutes are calculated by walking distance, not by car.”
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the popularity of this concept by exposing the vulnerabilities of traditional city layouts. Dependence on centralized urban hubs, lengthy commutes, and car-focused infrastructure became clear challenges during lockdowns and social distancing periods. People rediscovered the value of accessible services, green spaces, and nearby public areas, reinforcing the need for neighborhoods that support these essentials.
The 15-minute city responds directly to these insights, proposing a model that increases urban resilience and supports well-being. Its defining features include mixed-use neighborhoods that integrate residential, commercial, educational, and recreational functions; walkable and bike-friendly streets; decentralized access to key services; inclusive design for people of all ages and abilities; and a strong emphasis on public green spaces.
“There are two kinds of statistics for car use: within a 2 km radius and beyond. In Georgia’s statistics, for example, within a 2 km radius, about 60% of trips are still made by car, which is extremely high. This means the infrastructure is so inadequate that you can’t even reach a supermarket with a stroller and are forced to use a car. Likewise, you can’t let your child walk to school alone because it isn’t safe. The general principle should be that infrastructure is child friendly. For example, when an 8-year-old can walk to their destination without an adult. If you achieve that, it is the shortest route to inclusivity.”
The benefits of such urban design are wide-ranging. Environmentally, reducing reliance on cars cuts down pollution and carbon emissions. Economically, shorter commutes decrease costs and bolster local businesses. Health-wise, increased opportunities for walking and cycling promote physical activity. Socially, improved access fosters community interaction and inclusivity. Furthermore, the model advances sustainable urban development and allows residents to reclaim hours once lost to commuting.
Historical Context: Why the 15-Minute City Emerged
The 15-minute city concept is a response to decades of urban sprawl and car-centric city planning that dominated much of the 20th century. After World War II, rapid industrialization and the rise of automobile culture led to sprawling suburbs and metropolitan areas where workplaces, homes, and services were separated by long distances.
This separation contributed to increasing dependence on cars, resulting in congestion, pollution, social isolation, and long daily commutes that eroded personal time and quality of life. Post-industrial cities faced challenges in sustainability, health, and social cohesion.
The 15-minute city emerged as a visionary approach to counter these trends by promoting compact, mixed-use neighborhoods with accessible services, reducing the need for long-distance travel, and fostering more sustainable urban lifestyles.
The 15-Minute City and Tbilisi: Challenges and Opportunities
Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, presents a unique urban context for the application of the 15-minute city concept. Severe traffic congestion during peak hours, overcrowded public transport, and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure present serious obstacles. Many sidewalks are narrow, poorly maintained, and unsafe, while car dependency remains high even for short trips under 2 km.
“For example, when it comes to schools, most are concentrated in one district Lisi. As a result, in the morning the entire city flows toward Lisi, and in the evening back again, causing constant traffic jams. If we compare Temka and Lisi, the ratio of schools between these areas is about 1 to 50. In any developed country, it’s clear that this is wrong. Distributing schools more evenly is a relief for both children and the city. This comes back to the principle of polycentrism, which underpins the 15-minute city concept, people must have access to essential activities within a certain distance.”
Encouragingly, Tbilisi has taken steps in this direction: investing in eco-friendly buses, expanding dedicated bus and bicycle lanes, and adopting AI-powered traffic management systems. Yet, the decentralization of services and safe pedestrian mobility remain critical goals.
One innovative response comes through the superblock concept, which Nikoloz Lekveishvili and his Spanish partners have piloted in Tbilisi.
“A superblock is the idea of turning public space into a kind of garden. It is not pedestrian-only, but in the car lanes pedestrians have priority. Each island is surrounded by perimeter roads, but internally, the layout prevents cars from being used for through traffic. In effect, the neighborhood becomes a park.”
“The concept of the superblock was invented in Barcelona, which was originally planned with the idea that there should be trams everywhere. Later, it became an industrial city, where factories were built all along the seaside. As a result, like Tbilisi, Barcelona was cut off from the water. During the Olympics, those factories were relocated, which first and foremost reconnected the city with the water. After that, the idea of the superblock principle was developed. As a result, Barcelona now has one of the highest rates of walking, and not just for 15-minute distances, even walking 40 minutes is considered normal there, which is actually a high indicator.” –explained Nikoloz Lekveishvili.
Barcelona pioneered this model, using 250-meter-radius blocks to create car-free islands with green zones, child-friendly infrastructure, and improved quality of life. Nikoloz Lekveishvili’s team has adapted this model for three Tbilisi neighborhoods, with international funding support.
“In our project, for instance, we reversed Akhvlediani Street, making it one-way. You can enter through Kiacheli, but you cannot exit through Philharmonia. You loop back to where you entered. So if you don’t live there, you have no reason to enter. Streets are categorized so that cars can enter but never dominate, children can play, pedestrians can walk safely, and the entire space feels like a park.”
Toward a City Without Burnout
Time has become the most precious currency in contemporary cities. The 15-minute city paradigm shifts the focus from car-centric, sprawling development to compact, human-centered neighborhoods where time is reclaimed for quality of life, social interaction, and well-being.
“In such urban planning, time is measurable, and infrastructure is adapted to the pedestrian. Physically having services close by is one thing; but having organized infrastructure where you can move safely, comfortably, and predictably without a car is another. That is the ideal model of the modern city.”
Leading global cities demonstrate that thoughtful planning, infrastructure investment, and social innovation can make this vision a reality. Tbilisi, with its unique challenges and opportunities, now stands at a crossroads. With deliberate policies and community engagement, it can transition toward a model that values time, sustainability, and resilience, creating a true city without burnout.
