Brought into effect in 1993, the original plan provides for Beijing's urban development until 2010, including plans for transportation, environmental protection and cultural relics protection in Beijing, which served as imperial capital for several of dynasties.

"The faster-than-expected economic and social development in the capital has overtaken the original municipal overall plan," said Shan Jixiang, director of the Beijing Municipal Planning Committee.

For example, the plan predicted that the housing area per capita would reach 16.8 square meters by 2010 in Beijing. This goal was achieved in 2000, 10 years earlier than predicted. In view of this, Beijing top officials vowed that the housing area per urban resident will reach 20 square kilometers by 2007.

"In addition to the housing sector, many new ideas are to be added (to the plan) to solve new problems with the capital's economic and social development," Shan said.

Beijing will step up efforts in construction of the three "major functional districts," including the Zhongguancun Scientific Park, Central Business District and the Olympics Park, according to Shan. He said the new efforts are scheduled to be added to the amendment.

The three functional districts are all on the outskirts of the old city (areas within the Second Ring Road) to better protect the original imperial city with its 800 years of history as the nation's capital.

"We have already abandoned the old idea that permits enlargement of the urban area to infinity," said Shan.

The new city structure will comprise urban areas, green belts, outskirts, satellite towns and small towns, according to the city's new strategy.

"The construction of urban areas within the Fifth Ring Road was during the course of adjustment to release the pressure on urban management, transportation and population," said Jia Qinglin, Beijing Party secretary, in his work report to the city's Ninth Party Congress, which closed on May 22.

Beijing's construction plan emphasizes diversion to the outskirts from the downtown areas step by step.

Green belts of 240 square kilometers already under construction are to separate the urban area and its 10 outskirt groups including Qinghe, Beiyuan and Wangjing, which are far apart from each other, according to committee sources.

Meanwhile, experts have called on the municipal government to pay more attention to the protection of historical relics when revamping old houses.

"Some historical sites are endangered by the bulldozers that are to push over the old lanes and compounds," warned Li Mingtao, chief designer of the Municipal Architecture Design Institute.

(People's Daily June 04, 2002)