Understanding the Principles of the 15-Minute City Concept and the Repercussions on the City’s Health: The Curious Case of the City of Sarajevo

Climate change, pollution, profit driven construction, weakened quality of life and poor health of citizens, are cause-and-effect related problems that one can find all over the world. Developed, socially conscious societies entered the twenty-first century determined to dedicate themselves to the path of healing of their cities, so they put the fight against calamities of the modern times. Introduction of green jobs, clean energy, less waste and “novities”, such is the 15-minute city, are often narrative of choice for different and resilient approach. In parallel, quality of life in transitional societies and underdeveloped countries, is severely under pressure, since the profit-driven paradigm is a priority. This is visible in the lower socio-economic status countries of Europe too, such is Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo entered the twenty-first century as an impoverished city destroyed by war. The necessary renovation, once based on the principles of equality and proximity of urban content, had been replaced by accelerated construction and homogenic zoning, with little or no attention towards healthy and functional city. Through the examination the possibilities and limitations of the principles of 15-minute and healthy city in specific circumstances and their comparison with today’s approach, this paper aims for understanding of the specific needs of the planning approach in Sarajevo case, as in times of prosper, but also in times of crises. Methodological approach comprises out of several compatible methods, starting with historical overview and descriptive analysis, followed by comparative method of the findings, all combined in a case study for the city.