Reshaping Cities Through Sustainable Urban Planning Strategies and Creating Healthy, Equitable and Sustainable Communities Addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Entering the third decade of the 21st century, humanity is facing multiple disasters. These encompass climate change and its consequences, the COVID-19 health pandemic, as well as increased social, economic, and environmental inequalities. These emergencies must all be addressed, in every aspect of our lives, together with better urban planning, to create future sustainable, equitable, and healthy communities and cities, and preserve the planet. The “15-minute city” model that unifies many urban strategies is key for the COVID-19 recovery and for developing sustainable cities. It focuses on meeting all the requirements that a person needs within a 15-minute radius of their household with minimal travel. As well, the strategy to reshape cities addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) that lead to global development towards wellbeing for all. It is recognized that going back to the previous “normal” is not an option and we should move away from the unsustainable way of life in our cities. Adopting the “15-minute city” model in Toronto can be a significant tool for better urban planning to create a post-COVID-19 sustainable and healthy community, to address efficiency and resilience of the city, while simultaneously contributing to climate change mitigation. Toronto must follow the examples of Paris, Seattle, and other global cities and implement the 15-minute neighbourhoods’ strategy for creating sustainable, equitable, and socio-economically prosperous communities, as well as meet its goal to become a carbon neutral city.