The State Council has approved the overall planning (2011-2020) for Taiyuan, capital city of Shanxi province.

According to the circular, an area of 2,712 square kilometers was designated for unified urban and rural management. Infrastructure and public services should be shared between the city and countryside.

By 2020, the downtown population will be limited to 3.6 million, and the urban construction area will be constrained in 360 square kilometers, and no new district should be set up outside the area.

Also, the circular urged strictly controlling any added construction land, tapping underground space, and protecting arable land resources.

The circular stressed green development of urban infrastructure facilities, including transportation, parking lots, underground pipelines and disaster prevention system.

The city should be resource-saving and environment-friendly. Efforts should be made to weed out outdated capacity, control pollution emissions, utilize water resources and promote sponge buildings.

Ecological function areas such as the Tianlong Mountain Natural Reserve, forest parks and wetlands should be protected.

The circular called for integrated development of public services concerning education, medical care and municipal service. The planning should pay attention to government-subsidized housing and shantytown renovation.

In addition, the circular stressed conservation of its historical and cultural heritages as well as the unique city landscapes.