Beijing has mapped out a detailed plan for its central area, to
regulate its future development.
The plan, unveiled by the Beijing Municipal Institute of City
Planning and Design on Wednesday, incorporates eight districts and
covers an area of more than 1,000 sq km.
The area is divided into 33 parts according to major roads and
rivers.
The plan places restrictions on the area's population density,
construction, infrastructure, public facilities and height of
buildings.
A core area of the city, within the Second Ring Road, has been
defined as "an area under protection".
"The number of construction projects and population within the
area, will be tightly controlled," Wang Yin, deputy chief planner
of the institute, was quoted as saying by the Beijing
Daily.
The scale of construction within the area will remain at the
current level, he said.
"Other than the necessary public facilities, no new construction
will be allowed," he said.
The height of buildings will be in accordance with certain
standards to avoid being out of harmony with the historical
buildings.
Wang said the population of the area, which is about 1.4 million
now, would be gradually reduced to 800,000 to 900,000 by the year
2020.
Population relocation would be achieved with the gradual
improvement of transportation, education and medical facilities in
the surrounding areas, he said
The surrounding areas also face restrictions on population
density and construction.
The plan will be posted at the eight districts to solicit public
opinion this month.
(China Daily August 17, 2007)
