Chongqing - In this sprawling metropolis, a quiet transformation is making daily life more convenient for millions. The city is building "15-minute neighborhoods"—compact, walkable areas where residents can access groceries, parks, healthcare, and cultural spots all within a quarter-hour walk from home.

This people-centered approach to urban planning has taken shape across 65 key areas in Chongqing, creating a community service network that now covers 276 neighborhoods and serves over 3.1 million residents.

Residents read at a community building center in Yangjiaping Subdistrict, Jiulongpo District. (Photo/Zhang Jinhui)

Designed for the Downtown Professional

In Yuzhong District's Hualongqiao Subdistrict, the impact of the "15-minute life circle" is evident for office workers. Xiong Jinran, who works in Party affairs at a local enterprise, can handle work-related and personal matters within a short walk from her office.

On a recent weekday, Xiong visited a public service center in Yuzhong District, a major business hub in Chongqing, to seek assistance with a maternity allowance issue affecting one of her colleagues. Staff members explained that maternity benefits are paid in monthly installments under the current policy, resolving the question efficiently. Nearby, talent apartments provide furnished rental housing for employees seeking to reduce long commutes, while bookstores and cafés within the "15-minute life circle" offer spaces for reading and relaxation during breaks.

The Jiabo Road–Liziba area, where Xiong works, is home to more than 360 enterprises and over 24,000 employees. Public service facilities within the local "15-minute life circle" focus on the needs of young professionals, integrating employment support, housing services, and cultural amenities.

A Better Balance for Families

The concept also aims to create more livable streets for families. In Jiulongpo District, Tan Lina, a mother living in Xijiao Third Village, can shop for fresh food, exercise, and arrange meals without needing to drive across town.

Her neighborhood has been revitalized with updated market streets, new cafés, and shared public plazas. Community centers nearby offer fitness classes, children’s activities, and programs for seniors—all within a short stroll from home.

Visitor Yang Shirui views exhibits at the Chongqing Urban Renewal Photography Exhibition at Beicang Art Space in the Liangjiang New Area. (Photo/Zhang Jinhui) 

A Warm Meal Around the Corner

Community dining services have become an important part of the local "15-minute life circle,” particularly for elderly residents. In Xijiao Third Village, idle public facilities were renovated into a community cafeteria through the introduction of social capital, offering affordable meals and serving residents daily.

By embedding public services into neighborhoods and improving accessibility, Chongqing's "15-minute life circles" are turning policy initiatives into tangible benefits. The approach is helping create more convenient, inclusive, and people-centered urban communities, offering practical experience for improving urban living in large cities.