Merging the Aerotropolis concept with the ’15-minute city’ – part one: understanding the notions

Two concepts that were unheard of a decade ago but which have both impacted - or will soon do so - on human interaction are the aerotropolis (the economic development of a region around an airport, the growth of which is determined by that airport) and the 15-minute City, or 15mC.

The former is a catalyst to economic growth, while the latter aims to 'kettle' that growth and the associated interactions within a small, walk-able area, principally on economic (or pseudo-economic, depending how you look at it) grounds. While the former supports and enhances the human desire to travel by supplying the air routes that the economy demands, the latter throttles it by herding people into small townships.

Can there be an accommodation between these two philosophies?

A project to develop a 15mC close to Linate Airport in Milan will be an indicator of the likelihood of that happening, while a much bigger challenge awaits at the giant NEOM and 'The Line' complexes in Saudi Arabia.

This is part one of a two-part report.