Doug Gordon, transportation planner and journalist, joins the podcast to debunk a conspiracy theory about walkable cities. They discuss the legacy of Jane Jacobs in urban planning, the contrasting approaches of Jane Jacobs and Robert Moses, the 'war on cars' narrative, the impact of city spaces on people, and conspiracy theories surrounding the Oxford plan to limit car usage.
The 15-minute city concept aims to create sustainable and livable neighborhoods with essential amenities accessible within a short walk, but it has been wrongly labeled as a deep state plot by conspiracy theorists.
Critics of the 15-minute city concept have misunderstood its goal of improving quality of life and reducing car reliance, mistakenly portraying it as an attack on personal freedom and an imposition by intellectuals.
The petro masculinity phenomenon associates fossil fuel consumption and driving with masculinity and power, creating a sense of entitlement and dominance among drivers while stigmatizing alternative modes of transportation like cycling.
Deep dives
The Origin of the 15-Minute City Concept
The 15-minute city concept is not new and has roots dating back to the 1920s when urban planner Clarence Perry introduced the idea of a neighborhood unit with essential amenities accessible within a 15-minute walk. In recent years, the concept has gained traction as cities worldwide strive for sustainability and livability. The idea is to create neighborhoods where residents can easily access everyday necessities like schools, grocery stores, parks, and public transportation within a short radius of their homes.
The Evolution into a Deep State Conspiracy
The 15-minute city concept has been distorted and labeled as a deep state plot by conspiracy theorists. It has been wrongly associated with agendas like Agenda 21, a UN framework on sustainability, and the World Economic Forum's Great Reset. These conspiracy theories claim that the concept aims to trap people in their homes and restrict their freedom. However, the 15-minute city is simply about creating more walkable, livable, and sustainable communities, not about controlling or confining individuals.
Critics and Misinformation
Critics of the 15-minute city, such as Jordan Peterson and Katie Hopkins, have misunderstood and misrepresented the concept. They portray it as a way for intellectuals to dictate how people should live their lives and an assault on personal freedom. They overlook the fact that the 15-minute city is about improving quality of life, reducing reliance on cars, and creating healthier, more vibrant neighborhoods. This misinformation has fueled conspiracy theories and led to unwarranted resistance against progressive urban planning initiatives.
The Reality of 15-Minute Cities
In reality, 15-minute cities are about making cities more accessible and enjoyable for people. They emphasize walkability, public transportation, and mixed-use development to create neighborhoods where residents can easily meet their daily needs without relying heavily on cars. These cities prioritize human connection, community building, and reducing carbon emissions. The 15-minute city concept is not a conspiracy, but a vision for creating more sustainable, connected, and livable urban environments.
The Oxford Plan and Conspiracy Theories
The podcast episode discusses the Oxford plan, a traffic circulation plan that was met with conspiracy theories and protests. The plan aimed to divide the city into zones and limited the number of car trips allowed between zones. It was designed to address traffic congestion and promote alternative modes of transportation like walking, biking, and public transit. However, some saw the plan as an invasion of privacy and the rise of a surveillance state, leading to protests and the spread of conspiracy theories. The podcast highlights how the plan became a focal point for various conspiracy theories and attracted a range of individuals, including anti-vaxxers, far-right extremists, and Nazis.
Petro Masculinity and the Perception of Vehicles
The podcast explores the concept of petro masculinity, which refers to the association of fossil fuel consumption and vehicles with masculinity and power. It argues that the American way of life has been centered around fossil fuel consumption and driving, which has led to a sense of entitlement and dominance among drivers. The podcast highlights how driving is often considered a symbol of freedom and masculinity, while alternative modes of transportation like cycling are often stigmatized and associated with weakness. The discussion also touches upon the influence of petro masculinity in cinema and media, where cars are often associated with power and bicycles are depicted as symbols of immaturity or inferiority.
Close your eyes and imagine exiting your front door. Within moments, everything necessary for your life is a few blocks away, except perhaps your job. Groceries, coffee, toiletries, your bank—if you’re still a physical bank-type person—auto shop, all within walking distance. You never have to commute too far to live your life.
Sounds like quite a dystopian hellscape, doesn’t it?
Believe it or not, that’s yet another conspiracy theory that emerged earlier this year, because the ability to access things you need is apparently a Deep State plot. Derek is joined by “The War on Cars” co-host, Doug Gordon, to discuss how this conspiracy started and why smart urban planning is a boon for society. First, we discuss Jane Jacobs, the Scranton, Pennsylvania-born journalist and theorist who brought her civic activism to Toronto in 1968, with Matthew coloring in how her legacy has fared during the rise of the Ford family.
Corrections: In his unbridled enthusiasm for the topic and the memories it churned up, Matthew messed up THREE things—the Escalade is a Cadillac, not a Ford, “Downtown” was sung by Petula Clark, not Peggy Lee, and Bill Davis was a Progressive Conservative Premier, not a Liberal! Apologies.
