Jan Mara 

The video essay explores the origins and implications of the 15-Minute City concept, particularly its roots in Paris and its accessibility predominantly to wealthier residents. While it aims to reduce inequality, it often leads to gentrification, reflecting Paris's history of wealth and privilege, especially stemming from the city’s mass gentrification in the 19th century.

In contrast, Philippine cities face different challenges due to less access to urban resources compared to Western cities. The video essay questions whether implementing the 15-Minute City concept in the Philippines could be seen as a form of urban planning colonisation due to the history of the country and how it might affect cultures, communities, and economies. It suggests that for this urban strategy to be effective in the Philippines, planners should adapt the 15-Minute City concept to its communities rather than communities adapting to it.

I conducted a two-week documentation and analysis of the urban landscape in the Philippines as part of my field research, including interviews with local residents, which provided insights into how this concept might affect Philippine cities differently from their Western counterparts.