Community post
15 Minute Cities Debunked- Get the REAL Facts | Maximum Off Grid Podcast #5
Welcome to the Maximum Off Grid Podcast! Today, I am talking about 15 minute cities in a way that nobody else is. I did major research into active and proposed 15 minute cities to bring you the facts. No conspiracy theories here, just real information so you can be informed!
In this video, I will go over the basics of 15 minute cities, three case studies highlighting proposed and active 15 minute cities, if 15 minute cities are coming to the USA, and then a very thorough summary about this city model.
00:01:58 Fact Checking Announcement
00:02:43 Part 1: 15 Minute City Basics
00:12:19 Part 2: Three Case Studies on 15 Minute Cities
00:28:50 Part 3: Are 15 Minute Cities Coming to the USA?
00:34:41 Part 4: Summary and Thoughts about the 15 Minute City Model
Thanks for watching and your support!
Regina Cal
Maximum Off Grid
Learn about Off Grid Water Systems
Learn how to Heat Water Off the Grid
Join my Homesteading Newsletter
▶️ 3Speak
Replies (5)
I'm just hearing the concept of 15-minute cities, and in a nutshell, I'd say it's living in Europe vs living in the US. I've not spent time in the US, but I know there is no walking culture there. For example, here in the UK, (Leicester since I'm most familiar with that city), is a big-small city where you can walk along canals seemingly in the countryside, with just a staircase and exit, and you're right in the heart of the city. You could then visit museums, supermarkets, malls, and banking and do everything on foot across the city. Most cities are actually like that. My husband who has dual citizenship and was born in the US keeps saying that some cities across the UK are slowly (scarily) starting to feel like the US, where you have to have a car.
The Netherlands is another example, where one can cycle and use alternative modes of transportation without the need for a car...
All these things make it convenient for an off-grid lifestyle.
Living on a narrowboat here in the Uk is like the closest one gets to being off-grid, in that each boat has a water tank, there's waste disposal (eaten food, garbage and all that pleasant stuff), supermarkets situated close to the canal routes, as well as Marinas where boaters can fill up diesel and purchase boat supplies. It's a different slow life on the canals, going at 3 miles per hour. Mooring up and going into some cities make you feel like you're living in two parallel words, when the reality of hos fast-paced and how much people are caught up into consumerism...
I shall cut this comment short and not turn it into a mini blog, as I'm having my first cup of coffee :)
I would most definitely classify narrowboat life as off the grid. You are practically homesteading on the water! I just think it is such a cool concept, and never heard of it before meeting you.
Have you thought about incorporating some self-sufficiency skills into your narrowboat lifestyle? Such as fishing, foraging for herbs and food, wildcrafting? I imagine you have access to some of the best wildlife in Europe! You could even go mushroom hunting, collect fruits and nuts, etc.
As far as 15 minute cities go, Europe is much better designed for access. Here, we have these sprawling suburban areas, which I refer to as "suburban hell" because its more or less an unwalkable construct that makes you 100% dependent on a vehicle. I cannot stand it, to be honest. But where does the fault lay? With corrupt city planning, and multibillion dollar building corporations.
My concern is the enforcement of strict districts and extreme traffic control measures that essentially dictate how a person can move about. Its a method of control thru issuing fines. And what if someone doesn't pay the fine? Do they eventually get arrested?
Lots of questions without many answers. I will just stick to my land and grow my garden, which all of my seedlings are beginning to sprout!
Yes, the canals, narrowboats and locks are amazing engineering and history, from over 200 years, that's still in operation today. I felt honoured to live off-grid that way.
I did some foraging of blackberries and made some delicious blackberry muffins while living on the boat. Most boaters tend to have herb gardens for convenience, as there are water points dotted along the canals.
That's a perfect description of such places 😏
Mmmmmm, I love blackberries! Maybe, the next time you begin your narrowboat lifestyle again, you can find even more wild edibles. It sounds like so much fun and probably lots of peace too.
Yes, it was the most peaceful lifestyle ever, going at 3 miles per hour in nature. It was hard work to operate the locks, but a big part of the adventure.
Here's one flight of Locks that take you to different levels. They are fun to operate and most times have volunteers to assist. With individual locks, that's normally my duty to operate while my husband drives the boat:)
Here's my blackberry muffin video with manual DIY cappuccino 😆