Debunking the 15-minute-city conspiracy theory — and why it erupted at Essex County council

Hundreds of people poured into a special public meeting in Essex County earlier this month where many believed officials would be discussing 15-minute cities — even though County of Essex officials stressed that wasn't the case. 

The meeting was cut short because of the size of the crowd — and left officials surprised by the response.

Not only is the 15-minute-city concept not a part of County of Essex's plans — the concerns being raised by some residents are in line with what some experts describe as conspiracy theory thinking rather than rooted in what the concept is actually about.

The 15-minute city concept at its core is an urban planning framework intended to set up communities in such a way that they would have access to all their needs within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their homes — so, easier access to the grocery store, the bank, medical care, jobs, etc.

It was first coined by Carlos Moreno, a professor at the University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne.

It's already being worked on in cities like Paris. Over the last few years, it's led to big investments to improve cycling infrastructure and biking amenities, according to Bloomberg, with a price tag that's nearly $360-million.

Oxford, United Kingdom is also looking at implementing a similar concept in its long-term plan — but unfounded concerns over some of the proposed plans in the community have led to unrest.

Misinformation has flipped the script on the intended purpose of the 15-minute city, says researcher Carmen Celestini.

"It's linked to all these conspiracy theories of enslavement and control," explains Celestini, a lecturer at the University of Waterloo whose research focuses on conspiracy theories.

Celestini explained that the conspiracy theory behind 15-minute cities is that it's a form of government take-over.

People are fearful of a scenario where people would have digital identifications on them and would be forced to stay within a 15-minute radius around their homes, and that if people traveled beyond those boundaries, they would be tracked and targeted in different ways.

It's also been embedded in a lot of other conspiracy theories related to QAnon and the Great Reset, associated with fears of tyrannical takeovers.

Celestini explained that after years of COVID restrictions and lock downs, ideas like 15-minute cities can sometimes seem more frightening than they are in reality.

Even the Canadian Institute of Planners issued a statement earlier this month to say that the scrutiny and misunderstanding of 15-Minute City objectives "has resulted in alarming instances of hostile behaviour and threats toward planners and public servants, disruptive conduct in consultation meetings, and the need for law enforcement interventions."