While ambitious urban planners try to make 15-minute cities a reality, the Nordhavn district of Copenhagen has gone one better. What’s life like when everything you need is just a stroll away?
Nordhavn is not a city, though, it's a district. But IMO it is exactly what is needed. All the basics within 10mins and great culture no more than half an hour away. Lots of Danish cities are like that though. I currently live in Aalborg. When I lived in one of the districts furthest away from the city center I could walk 10mins to everything; supermarkets, barber, pizzerias, a sandwich place, a café, a doctor and a dentist. Primary school, daycare and the like was also within that zone if I needed it. And it is all connected with an intricate bike and walking pathway system
If need be and I wanted to go to the cinema or go to town and drink busses took me there in about half an hour several times an hour, even at night.
I kinda miss it though, but I decided to move to the city center where everything is within 10mins.
Yes yes Denmark is perfect, we get it! To be fair, it's hardly even an exaggeration. I've been to Aalborg and can confirm it's lovely. A few historic buildings and tons of modern ones including an amazing opera house, nice river setting, everyone walking and cycling. And of course this is Scandinavia so even the people are beautiful and stylish.
BUT! Worst weather in the whole world. Cold and wet for basically the whole year. Feels like a kind of justice! The price of your success.
the old and infirm? public transportation, and a good set of walking shoes, oh, you can't walk, well fuck you, no cars allowed buddy, you live where you fall now
The Copenhagen neighborhood the article is writing about (Nordhavn) has plenty of roads which cars can drive on. The point the article is making is that it’s designed in a way to make it completely convenient to reach all your routine needs without a car. Even for the old or those with poor mobility.
if you cant walk how are you getting in to your car? do you just live there? car centric infrastructure has never been particularly wheelchair or walker friendly
really though if you dont like it, don't move there. There are care homes better suited to your needs and concerns.
Afaik research shows efforts like this actually help diverse communities. Older adults don't benefit as much from nursing homes and the like because it denies them ability to socialize with other generations.
Plus, here in the US fuckin nothing is in walking distance for a sizable population. Older adults and infirm need areas they can walk (or scoot or whatever) without risk of being hit by cars when they take longer to cross a street. Research also shows older adults prefer getting shit done on their own when they can, so giving them ample opportunities like this is exactly what they need. They're still surrounded by people that can help if they do fall.
I can tell you haven't been to Nordhavn. There are roads and and cars/ambulance can absolutely drive by. Owning a car in Nordhavn in very hard though, very little parking.