SCMAP Perspective is our fortnightly column on PortCalls, tackling the latest developments in the supply chain industry, as well as updates from within SCMAP. On this column, Henrik Batallones explores the role of supply chains in realizing the idea of “15-minute cities”.
15-minute supply chains
The “15-minute city” is not a new concept. Urbanists have long explored the idea of developing cities and communities where basic amenities – offices, schools, shops, hospitals, parks – are a 15-minute walk or bike ride away. The goal is to improve the quality of life of those living in the city, reducing dependency on automotives, and promoting sustainability and wellbeing.
The concept reentered public consciousness in the last few years, in part because of the continuing effects of global warming as well as pandemic-related lockdowns. European cities in particular have seized on the concept to improve their communities, especially after Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo made it the centerpiece of her reelection campaign in 2020. In recent weeks you may have encountered the concept in a more nefarious light: as the subject of several unfounded conspiracy theories suggesting that the “15-minute city” is another plot to limit human liberties.
I recall all this in the past week, when I realized that I am fortunate enough to live in what can be classed as a 15-minute city. Yes, that exists in the Philippines. Unfortunately it’s also because I live in a condominium complex on the fringes of one of Manila’s major business districts. If I put my mind into it, I can walk to my work, or to the grocery, or to the hospital for my regular heart check-ups. The nearest supermarket is next door, if ever I need to stock up on something in a jiffy; I haven’t found my nearest wet market, though. But, one, Manila’s weather – extremely hot, or extremely wet – gets in the way. Also, if you want to go further afield, you will still need to get on a car, thanks to our pathetic public transportation system and the fact that Metro Manila had been developed with the car in mind over decades. The closest we’ll get to a 15-minute city, perhaps, are master-planned townships built by major real estate firms – and that’s out of reach for everyone.
That is a major limitation of the concept. It is only really doable, at least in the short term, in communities that are not already subject to extensive sprawl, and they tend to be in Europe. Arguably greater investment in public transportation can help in “shrinking” the city – take Hong Kong and Singapore – but that is a tall order for a government with limited resources and other priorities.
But then, it hasn’t stopped us from calling for at least some of the 15-minute city’s concepts to filter through to our communities. It isn’t just limited to certain groups. Protests surrounding Makati’s plans to turn Ayala Avenue’s bike lanes to “shared” lanes highlighted its benefits not just to bikers, but to all commuters in general. Also recall the general, exasperated cries of “why?” when companies started requiring their employees to return to the office. Working from home has given them more time for their loved ones and their passions, without impacting on their workplace productivity – so why go back to the grind?
Supply chains have also unknowingly responded to this call. Just take the ubiquity of e-commerce in the last few years. You can even go further back, to the explosion of convenience stores and smaller retail formats catering to communities. Businesses have been responding to their customers’ calls for more convenience in a time-starved, energy-sapping world. For us, that meant a focus on agility – to better respond to restocking requests from smaller stores – and a stronger grasp on the increasing number of data points to better inform decisions.
All that said, though, can we move towards the vision of a “15-minute supply chain”? In the strictest sense, perhaps not – economies of scale means we cannot have small manufacturing hubs in place of larger production facilities, for instance. The ecological impact of the extensive transport networks needed to support this idea should also be kept in mind. But we can, and should, support the idea of enabling more liveable communities by ensuring everything one needs is within reach, whether after a 15-minute walk, or after hitting “checkout” on an app. For stakeholders, that means continued investment in technology and competencies for stakeholders. For the government, that means finally addressing long-term urban planning issues.