What Are 15-Minute Cities and Why Are UK Tories Vilifying Them?

Having everything you need close to your house, without needing to drive to reach it, might seem like an uncontroversial concept. But so-called 15-minute cities have become central to conspiracy theories about freedom and climate change. While the original idea is based on rethinking urban planning to make sure no one is traveling more than 15 minutes by bicycle or on foot to reach essential services, posts online have falsely conjured a dystopian vision where people are forcibly prevented from leaving their homes.

Now that idea has leaked into mainstream UK politics. During the Conservative Party’s conference this week, Secretary of State ...