A few months ago, we brought you the story of a new 15-minute city under construction in Solano County, in Northern California. The worrying plan for 15-minute cities is spreading across the country. The city of Tempe, AZ is boasting a new 15-minute so-called “renter’s paradise”. Aptly named Cul-de-Sac, this 15-minute city is being sold with a slick marketing campaign, and by mainstream media (see video below). It boasts retail, restaurants, dog parks, outdoor social spaces and apartments, all within walking distance and is located next to a rail system. Every resident gets a free train pass and some even get a free e-bike, along with discount rides on Lyft. Sounds great, until you realize that there are no cars allowed, and that your ultra-convenient neighborhood could easily become your turnkey prison during the next government mandated lockdown. What happens in the event of an emergency? With no access to a car, you become a prisoner in your own neighborhood, forced to comply, easy to track, trace, fine and arrest for any infraction. According to the rental company, “demand is high”. That’s right, people are willingly walking into these cheap 15-minute neighborhoods. They won’t realize they have traded their freedom for convenience until it’s too late.
Free Now Foundation sees the positive side of an unrestricted walkable neighborhood — where, much like the grand cities of Europe, every neighborhood has a baker, a grocer, a cafe and a tailor within steps of your home, but which do not impose restrictions on vehicular travel. That’s the kind of convenience we can get behind. But if we don’t learn the lessons of the Covid lockdowns, history will repeat itself. It’s just a matter of time.
View this post on Instagram
Aria Morgan is the Managing Editor of Free Now Foundation. Aria is a passionate and accomplished editor with a diverse background in writing for various industries, including music, film, health and yoga, and with published covers and feature credits in national magazines. Aria is dedicated to protecting civil rights and promoting health and medical freedom, and is thrilled to be a part of the Free Now Foundation team.
Making E V’s affordable was never, ever hhe plan. The plan has always been mass transit and only the people who could afford an EV would have the “privilege” (remember, a drivers license has always been a privilege, not a right) of a vehicle to drive under tighter restrictions of transit. That 15 minute city in Tempe is fine if you’re young, healthy, like waiting for your next connection in 116 degree heat during the hot months and in the rain when it does. But just wait until they get a little older, a little arthritis in the bones, the freedom to veer off the transit route for whatever reason. That 15 minute city crap is going to get old and oppressive really quick and then it will be too late. There cute little neighborhood will start to deteriorate as the residents age, social problems move in. For the most part those that think it’s a good idea have are going to learn the hard way that the Boomers and Gen X aren’t incapable of accepting new concepts, we just have better discernment brought on by our life experiences. These little 15 minute cities? Dressed up internment camps.