The State Council has approved the overall planning (2011-2020) for Kaifeng city, Central China’s Henan province.

Coordinated urban and rural development was urged in the designated area of 548 square kilometers, with extra attention to be paid to construction of urban villages and city peripheries.

According to the plan, the Kaifeng government will control the population of permanent urban residents to 1.46 million and limit urban construction land to 142 square kilometers. No new districts or development zones of any kind will be allowed outside of the approved area.

Newly added construction land should be strictly controlled, and underground space should be explored and utilized. Efforts should also be made to improve the land usage rate and protect basic farmland.

The State Council also urged the Kaifeng government to improve urban infrastructure, establishing a comprehensive transportation system and promoting the construction of urban parking lots.

Other city infrastructure, such as water supply and waste disposal systems, should be developed with a coordinated plan. Disaster prevention and reduction work should also be reinforced, the circular said.

The document also urged building a resource-saving and environment-friendly city, with efforts to promote clean energy and a circular economy.

While strictly controlling the development of heavy-polluting industries, improvements should be made to sewage treatment and harmless garbage treatment.

The State Council called for the development of public services concerning education, medical care and municipal administration, and accelerating the renovation of shantytowns and dilapidated buildings to create a resident-friendly city.

Efforts should also be made to protect historic culture and natural reserves, conduct ecological restoration and improve the environment, the document added.