By Muhammad Zulqarnain

China’s experience in urban planning, particularly the concept of the 15-minute community life circle, offers valuable lessons for developing countries such as Pakistan as they pursue more sustainable and people-centered urbanization.

The model, which has been widely implemented in cities such as Shanghai, is based on the idea of creating compact and accessible neighbourhoods where residents can meet most of their daily needs—including education, healthcare, shopping, cultural facilities, recreational spaces and public transport—within a 15-minute walk from their homes.

It also demonstrates how urban planning can simultaneously improve economic productivity, social cohesion, public health and quality of life. For Pakistan, the model offers practical lessons not only in promoting walkable and inclusive communities but also in leveraging digital governance and data-driven planning to build more efficient, resilient and sustainable cities.

Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Dr Faizaan Qayyum, a faculty member at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the United States, said that China’s 15-minute community life circle has generated significant social, environmental and economic benefits.

He noted that greater walkability encourages foot traffic and stimulates local trade, sales and business activity, while reducing dependence on motorized transportation and lowering mobility barriers for residents.

According to Dr Faizaan, frequent social interactions within walkable communities create opportunities for the exchange of ideas and knowledge, fostering innovation and expanding economic opportunities. As accessibility improves, demand for local goods and services increases, creating new avenues for entrepreneurship and business growth.

He further explained that such neighbourhoods also contribute to public health by encouraging physical activity and reducing reliance on vehicles. Beyond economic gains, walkable communities strengthen social cohesion, promote inclusivity and help build more resilient urban environments.

Drawing a parallel with Pakistan, Dr Faizaan pointed out that traditional neighbourhoods such as Andrun-e-Lahore already embody some of the principles associated with the 15-minute community concept, where concentrated pedestrian activity supports vibrant local markets and strong social networks.

However, he cautioned that any effort to adopt similar models in Pakistan should be carefully planned. He stressed that urban densification and vertical expansion must be implemented in an inclusive manner to avoid displacement of existing communities, demolition of settlements and infringement of residents’ rights.

While walkability and mixed-use neighbourhoods form the physical foundation of the 15-minute community life circle, experts believe that successful implementation also requires strong digital infrastructure and data-driven governance systems.

Speaking to Wealth Pakistan, Dr Naveed Iftikhar, a senior urban policy expert and founder of Atomcamp, said that the effectiveness of such urban planning models depends significantly on the state’s capacity to develop digital systems that support informed decision-making and efficient public service delivery.

He noted that digital governance can improve transparency and accountability by decentralizing information, reducing opportunities for corruption and making public data more accessible. This, in turn, helps bring government institutions closer to communities and improves citizen engagement.

According to Dr Naveed, tools such as Geographic Information System (GIS)-based mapping, open-source maps and digital data layers can strengthen urban management and public service delivery. Such technologies enable evidence-based planning by providing accurate information on population density, households, land use and infrastructure requirements.

He added that digital tools can also enhance public safety and improve resource allocation, allowing policymakers to respond more effectively to the needs of rapidly growing urban populations.

Credit: INP-WealthPk