All within 15 minutes: Urban planning concept city to rise in Pasay

An artist’s render of a 15-minute city, where work, food, housing, education and cultural activities are easily within reach.

For the modern urban dweller, 15 minutes is a lot of time.

In just fifteen minutes, you can accomplish a lot of worthwhile tasks, like meditate, clear your email, jog a 1.5-kilometer route, perform high-intensity interval training (HITT), read the news, and make a smoothie.

However, 15 minutes is hardly enough time for a commuter in Metro Manila to get from point A to point B. You have probably not moved an inch in this time, especially during rush hour.

Do you know about the 15-minute city? It's a contemporary idea for urban planning that prioritizes both people and the environment. The phrase was first used by urbanist and Sorbonne University professor Carlos Moreno of Paris. He stated that the perfect neighborhood or city is one in which jobs, dining, housing, entertainment, and educational opportunities are all conveniently located within a 15-minute walk or by bike.

An artist’s rendition of a soon-to-rise 15-minute city in Pasay

Less carbon emissions, cheaper transportation costs, and—above all—happier and healthier individuals are guaranteed by this. No more standing in line for hours at the EDSA bus carousel or in the middle of traffic for hours at a time.

After many years of careful planning and design, the project has finally been given the go-ahead by the government to move forward. Rep. Joey Salceda of the Albay 2nd district, in fact, emphasized how the government anticipates obtaining billions of dollars' worth of real estate assets from the Pasay-led project.

Revenues from the project will generate a massive multiplier effect on our gross domestic product (GDP) and an estimated 300,000 new jobs from 2027 to 2040. By 2035, it is projected to employ 4% of the National Capital Region’s (NCR) total work force.

The Pasay 360 Project will be a city that nurtures lives and livelihood, is expected to revitalize the economy, and hone the next generation of Filipino leaders. It can be a source of pride for Filipinos as we push towards the 22nd century.