Beijing plans to reorganize its 18 districts and counties over
the next five years to ease pressure on its over-crowded downtown
nexus.
According to its planning body, the city of 16 million will map
out four functional areas -- the central urban area, a
multi-purpose development area, a new city area and a green
area.
Under a plan released Wednesday by the Municipal Development and
Reform Commission, Beijing's increasing urban population will
slowly be staggered outwards, relieving pressure on managing its
downtown core.
Experts believe the plan will facilitate the free flow of
capital, technologies and human resources, as efforts are underway
to narrow the economic gap between districts and counties.
The central urban area within the second ring road, which is the
core of the 600-year-old ancient capital and the political center
of China, will continue to be characterized by a rich cultural
heritage.
Over 28,000 people per square kilometer crowd the downtown area,
six times the figure for the suburbs, according to a 2005
government report.
The multi-purpose development area centers on the Zhongguancun
high-tech zone and the Olympic Central Area in the city's northern
part and the Central Business District in the east.
The new city area will boost economic development in the
suburban districts of Tongzhou and Yizhuang as well as Shunyi's
airport economic zone.
The green area in outlying districts and counties will permit a
better ecological system for the ensemble of Beijing.
(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2006)