How much of your life have you spent in traffic? If data reported by the CBC are any indication, Montrealers spent an average of 180 hours in rush hour traffic in 2022, assuming a one-way 10-kilometre commute.

Now, what if you could cut your trip down to 15 minutes while walking, biking, or taking public transit to work or school? That’s the idea behind the 15-minute city, an urban planning concept that aims to redesign urban spaces so that residents can meet most of their daily needs without getting in their cars. Imagine workplaces, schools, grocery stores, parks, and health care services without time spent in traffic and the greenhouse gas emissions that go with it.

In addition, the model promotes a healthier lifestyle by encouraging walking and cycling while fostering stronger community ties, as residents are more likely to interact as they go about their day. Finally, with fewer cars on the road, there would be less demand for extensive road networks and parking spaces, which makes room for more green spaces and pedestrians.

Implementing a 15-minute city is not easy. It calls for thoughtful urban planning, including mixed-use development and investment in infrastructure such as bike lanes and public transportation. It also calls for policies that anticipate people’s needs and ensure that amenities are within reach for all, including those with limited mobility.

But could the concept be implemented in Pointe-Claire? It might seem like a stretch. Like many North American suburbs, Pointe-Claire was largely planned and developed after World War II on the assumption that residents would own one or more cars and use them for most trips. Nonetheless, some North American suburbs are taking steps towards becoming 15-minute cities.

Hillsboro, Oregon

One example is Hillsboro, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. When light rail came to Hillsboro in 1993, the station was built on the land of the defunct Oregon Nursery Company, isolated from the rest of the town. This presented a challenge: how to connect the new station with the community. The solution was a planned community developed around the light rail station to bridge the gap and integrate it with the town.

The city developed the plan for the neighbourhood through extensive community engagement and collaboration with developers. Residents, business owners, and other stakeholders participated in numerous workshops, ensuring that the development would meet the community’s needs and preferences. Close collaboration with a developer who shared the city’s vision was also essential to the project’s success.

The result is Orenco Station, a vibrant, 150-acre neighbourhood that has become a model for sustainable suburban development. The community integrates residential, commercial, and civic spaces within a walkable layout, featuring public parks, schools, a post office, and various shops and restaurants, all within easy walking distance of each other and the light rail station. This design has significantly reduced car dependency, with many residents choosing to walk or use public transit for their daily needs. By offering diverse housing options, from affordable units to higher-end homes, and incorporating amenities like community gardens and bike infrastructure, Orenco Station successfully creates a self-sufficient, interconnected community that exemplifies the principles of a 15-minute city.

Arlington, Virginia

Another example is Arlington County, Virginia. As Washington, D.C. grew rapidly through the 1960s, Arlington saw its population spike. The county’s planners, however, saw an opportunity in the newly constructed orange line of the Washington Metro and implemented a “Bull’s-Eye Concept.” By focusing high-density development along the newly constructed Metro stations, they created a series of urban villages with residential, commercial, and office spaces within walking distance of stations. As a result, Arlington was able to reduce car dependency and alleviate traffic while building vibrant, connected communities, thus hitting the mark for smart, sustainable urban planning in the region.

And Pointe-Claire?

Pointe-Claire has a long way to go to become a 15-minute city, and the concept likely wouldn’t work in some areas. Growing up on Arrowhead Crescent in the 80s and 90s, the 211 bus line was a half-hour walk away. Theoretically, Fairview was a half-hour walk in the other direction, but crossing Highway 40 on foot represented an insurmountable obstacle. Ultimately, most trips were made by car. Not much has changed since then, and considering that the area is already fully built-up, opportunities for transformation may be limited.

However, there are promising opportunities to make strides toward a 15-minute city model. With their existing mix of shops, restaurants, parks, the Pointe-Claire and Valois villages already demonstrate some of the elements of a walkable community.

Existing commuter train stations, as well as the future REM stations, may also present a real opportunity. By creating vibrant, accessible neighbourhoods around these hubs, Pointe-Claire can move towards reducing car dependency and cultivate a more connected, sustainable, and livable community. Although achieving this vision will take time and effort, with thoughtful planning and community engagement, the principles of the 15-minute city could become a reality in Pointe-Claire.