The State Council gave the green light to Jiangsu provincial government’s request to approve an overall plan (2011-2020) for Nanjing city, according to a circular issued on July 12.

The overall project includes creating a unified urban-rural plan and management within the city planning zone, which covers 6,582 square kilometers. In light of varied conditions in different areas, regions and towns with good conditions and great potential will get priority for development.

The plan includes optimizing the layout of villages and towns, retaining the features of rural areas while gradually improving the production and living conditions of villagers. It also includes expanding urban infrastructure and public service facilities to rural areas, steadily promoting equal access to public services in both urban and rural areas.

In addition, the plan urges coordinated development with central cities in the Yangtze River Delta, including Shanghai and Hangzhou, as well as promoting the sharing of major infrastructure with surrounding cities.

By 2020, the permanent population in the central area of the city will be controlled within 6.7 million, and urban land for construction within 652 square kilometers. The plan calls for making good use of existing land designated for construction, and protecting arable land and ensuring more economical and intensive use of land. It also outlines the boundary for city development, beefing up boundary control.

The State Council asks local government to work on the construction Nanjing’s Jiangbei new area, actively participate in the development of the Yangtze River economic belt and “Belt and Road” initiatives to achieve coordinated development with Shanghai’s Pudong new area, Zhoushan Archipelago new area and Shanghai Free Trade Zone, gradually becoming an essential platform for the cooperation of opening-up along the Yangtze River economic belt.

The plan also pledges to improve the system for urban infrastructure facilities, construct a resource-conserving and environment-friendly city, create a good living environment and emphasize the protection of historical culture, and style and features.