Caroline Spiezio/AP Photo

A plan for building sustainable cities is being distorted by far-right politicians and groups to resemble a police state policy that infringes on personal freedoms. And it’s creeping into the Republican race for president.

Some conservative opponents of sustainability have focused their attacks on a concept of urban development popularized in Europe called the 15-minute city — the idea that resources like grocery stores, schools and hospitals would be within walking distance of people’s homes to lower the release of carbon dioxide emissions.

Their attempts to redefine the concept have given rise to conspiratorial accusations in far-right media that efforts to reduce car traffic in cities is a form of oppressive government control.

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The campaigns of former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have accused each other of supporting housing proposals that resemble 15-minute cities.

The concept — named after the time it takes to reach amenities on foot or by bike — has been embraced by many politicians and city leaders as a way to decrease vehicle pollution and congestion. In 2020, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo used the idea as a pillar in her successful reelection campaign.

Critics of the policy contend that reshaping cities to discourage driving impinges on personal freedom and makes it harder to move around and find parking, particularly for delivery drivers and construction vehicles.

But since late last year, some...

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