TV star Kate Langbroek under fire for touting '15-minute city' conspiracy as she bizarrely aligns the theory to Galileo being jailed for saying the world was round

  • Kate Langbroek slammed for promoting new conspiracy theory 
  • Conspiracists believe 15-minute cities are about controlling people 

By PADRAIG COLLINS, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

The Project host Kate Langbroek is being slammed for promoting a bizarre conspiracy theory that '15-minute cities' are secretly a dark plan to control people's freedom.

The '15-minute city' idea originated back in 2015 by Paris urbanist Carlos Moreno who suggested people living in cities should be able to access all necessary amenities - including grocery stores, medical help, work and schools - within 15 or 20 minutes.

However the idea has gained traction in conspiracy circles in recent weeks and featured on The Project on Tuesday. 

The program played a clip explaining what a 15-minute city was and why some believed it was about government control rather than its actual motive of improving lives. 

Immediately after the segment, Langbroek said 'Mmm, you know I love a conspiracy theory'.

When panelist Dave Thornton asked if Langbroek bought into the conspiracy, she answered 'I don't know about you, but I have been locked down by governments recently'.

The Project host Kate Langbroek (pictured) is being slammed for promoting the conspiracy theory that '15-minute cities' are designed to control people

The Project host Kate Langbroek (pictured) is being slammed for promoting the conspiracy theory that '15-minute cities' are designed to control people

While Langbroek got a laugh, it quickly became clear she wasn't trying to be funny.  

Langbroek said it was an easy thing to dismiss people as 'Oh, conspiracy theorists'. 

What is a 15-minute city?

The 15-minute city is an urban planning idea in which most daily necessities and services, such as work, shopping, education, healthcare and leisure can be easily reached by a 15-minute walk or bike ride. 

The plan behind it is to reduce car dependency, promote healthy and sustainable living and improve the overall quality of life for city dwellers. 

Melbourne, and the NSW cities of  Wollongong and Coffs Harbour, are aiming to adapt to a series of 15-minute cities. 

Conspiracy theorists believe the urban planning idea is instead a dark idea from the world's elite to control society.

'However, let us just remember that in the 1600s a guy called Galileo was put in jail, and I think died in jail, because he said the Earth went round the Sun,' she said.

'That at the time was considered to be heresy and now we know it to be the truth.'

Co-host Waleed Aly challenged her, saying Galileo's research findings were not a conspiracy, but Langbroek got frustrated and her voice went higher as she said  'It was then, Waleed'.

'The conspiracy was that what he believed was wrong, that what he was telling people was wrong,' she added.

Langbroek, who vehemently opposed the mandatory Covid vaccines that were introduced in some industries during the pandemic, then did a further dive into her problem with 15-minute cities.

'I just feel increasingly like there's a battle for control of people - clearly. Everywhere you go there's cameras,' she said.

'I don't think conspiracy theorists in some cases are that crazy.'

Aly addressed her fears by saying he understood 'the idea that people are losing trust in government'. 

'But the problem is the logical extension of that is any time somebody comes up with what might be a good idea, we'll just want to kill it because we'll just decide it's a conspiracy somehow,' he added.

Waleed Aly (pictured) challenged Kate Langbroek over her views

Waleed Aly (pictured) challenged Kate Langbroek over her views

Langbroek then said 'Well, you agree with me then?'

However Aly was not in agreeance.

'No, I don't,' he replied firmly.

Her embrace of the latest conspiracy to do the rounds was met with some withering responses online. 

Technology journalist Cameron Wilson said 'I'm going to be generous and say that Kate Langbroek's surveillance concerns are legit. 

'But gotta say I was hoping for more rigorous takes on conspiracy than "Gallileo was jailed (therefore) urban planners are taking over the world".'

Technology journalist Cameron Wilson tweeted (pictured) about Kate Langbroek's views on 15-minute cities

Technology journalist Cameron Wilson tweeted (pictured) about Kate Langbroek's views on 15-minute cities

Kate Langbroek

Most watched News videos