Urbanites are taking back their space through 1,10 or 15-minute neighbourhood concepts

In Paris, Seoul and Stockholm, neighbourhoods are being shaped and defined according to one type of measure: time. Photo: AFP

Smart cities do not necessarily mean ultra-connected cities. The great challenge for cities in the West over the next few years – starting with 2022 – will be to revitalise its spaces and let citizens have greater say over how urban spaces are used.

In Paris, Seoul and Stockholm, neighbourhoods are being shaped and defined according to one type of measure: time. Fifteen minutes, 10 or even one.

Certain urban planners and architects are integrating this notion of temporality into the design of how humans move around a city and their relationship to city centres in order to make cities more flexible and adaptable. And above all, to connect city dwellers to one another.