The State Council approved the overall urban plan (2006-2020) for Datong, a city in North China’s Shanxi province, according to a circular released on Sept 29.

Located at the junction of Shanxi, Hebei, and Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Datong is well-known for its abundant historic and cultural heritages as well as energy resources.

The plan designated 2,370 square kilometers of land for city construction, in which an integrated planning and administration will be adopted in both urban and rural areas. Urban infrastructure and public service facilities should also serve the surrounding villages, while counties and towns with better conditions will receive more support.

By 2020, the downtown population will be limited to 1.62 million, and the city construction land to 154 square kilometers, with a compact layout and micro-circulation capacity. Underground space should be utilized, and arable land should be preserved.

The document also called for Datong to establish a comprehensive infrastructure system, with a multi-use transportation system featuring public transportation, more parking lots, underground tunnels and disaster prevention systems.

Saving resources and protecting the environment are highlighted. The circular asked for enhancing efforts to cut laggard capacity, pollution emissions and disposal.

Green buildings and protection of water resources should be reinforced. Ecological resorts such as Hengshan Mountain and wetlands should be strictly protected.

The document also urged subsidized apartments be included in construction plans. Shantytowns, villages within the city and dilapidated houses should be renovated and equipped with improved facilities.

Efforts should also be made to protect the traditional city landscape and historical and cultural sites, according to the circular.