Capital merges modern city planning with ancient relics
( 2001-06-21 12:00 ) (1 )

Over the past few years Beijing has been struggling to build itself into a modern international metropolis while protecting its characteristics as the country's political and cultural centre.

New municipal city planning regulations were put in place in 1992 and a detailed plan on the layout of the capital's central areas was developed in 1999.

Over the past 10 years, the regulations have been regarded as vital to drafting the city's ninth and 10th five-year plans (1996-2005).

"We have, step by step, transferred the emphasis of urban construction from Beijing's central areas to its suburban areas," said director of the municipal planning committee Shan Qixiang Wednesday, in a report to the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress.

The city planning department has finished the overall planning on nine "satellite towns" to alleviate pressure on central areas brought by a dense population and heavy traffic.

Plans for the other five satellite towns will also be completed by the end of this year, according to Shan.

In northern Beijing's Miyun County, a 30-square-kilometre satellite city incorporating an investment of more than 7 billion yuan (US$844 million) has been under construction for nearly four months, the Beijing Daily newspaper reported.

Miyun County contains houses built on 4 million square metres of land, an expressway connecting the county with Beijing's downtown areas, two squares, three green belts, four bridges, nine roads and 10 parks.

Meanwhile, in Beijing's central urban areas, effective measures have been adopted to preserve the city's historical face.

Beijing was the capital of five ancient dynasties, beginning with the Liao (916-1125) and ending with the Qing (1644-1911).

Illegal construction on sensitive historical sites has been punished according to the regulations and other relevant laws since 1992.

About 3 million square metres of buildings constructed without authorization were cleared off last year.

"Efforts are still needed to effect a radical cure for illegal building in our city," said Liang Ping, a member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress.

More legislation on city planing management is needed now, the official advised. It is reported that an amendment to the municipal city planning regulations is in preparation.