Ningbo was listed as the only 15-minute convenient life circle pilot zone in East China's Zhejiang province, according to a list recently announced by the Ministry of Commerce and other departments. 

The 15-minute convenient life circle not only provides community residents with easy access to daily necessities and basic life services within a 15-minute walk from home, but other useful services as well.

Ningbo has been building 15-minute convenient business and life circles in the city since 2019. So far, a total of 23 such life circles have been built.

Over the past three years, Ningbo has introduced 10 criteria for the construction of convenient life circles. Construction undertaken in the pilot communities varies depending on location, community size and the ages of buildings.

For communities in old city areas, businesses are clumped together; for those in new city areas, they are located along the street.

To improve the convenience, standardization, intelligence and quality of business services provided for community residents, Ningbo plans to integrate the renovation of old residential areas and the construction of future communities into the construction of life circles.

It aims to build more than 50 15-minute convenient business and life circles in the city by 2025.