4: Inclusive Rhythms: Chrono-Urbanism and De-Energization

Author:
Gordon Walker
Publication Date:
30 May 2024
Pages:
53–69
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51952/9781529229479.ch004
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Post-carbon inclusion and the transformations needed to strip carbon-heavy techno-energies out of urban life are approached through a temporal lens, drawing on rhythmanalytic thinking and on recent moves towards ‘chrono-urbanism’ in urban planning. The urban is conceived in both polyrhythmic and poly-energetic terms and four principles for rhythm oriented de-energization are outlined: decelerating urban processes; reconnecting social, environmental and biological rhythms; localizing polyrhythmic relations; and enabling the shared synchronization and sequencing of rhythms of activity and infrastructure. It is argued that in applying these principles close attention has to be paid to inclusion and to the distribution of the direct and indirect benefits of temporally oriented de-energization strategies. To centre on a practical example, the emblematic case of contemporary chrono-urbanism – the ‘15-minute city’ – is considered. As a superficially appealing objective, under closer examination this highlights both the possibilities but also the tensions involved in temporally as well as spatially reorganizing the reproduction of everyday urban life.

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