The State Council approved the overall urban planning (2011-2020) for Jiaozuo city in Central China’s Henan province.

Jiaozuo is in the middle of Central China’s city cluster and in the border area between Henan and Shanxi provinces.

An area of 750 square kilometers was designated for unified rural and urban development, the circular stated.

The circular urged efforts to improve villages in the city and city fringes, expand public facilities to serve neighboring villages, develop counties and key villages with potential, and optimize the overall layout of villages and towns.

By 2020, the goal is to cap the downtown population at 1.4 million, and urban construction land should be limited to 140 square kilometers.

No new development zone or city district should be set up beyond the approved area. Increase in construction land will be controlled, and protection of arable land will be strengthened.

The circular stressed green development for urban infrastructure facilities, including transportation systems, parking lots, underground tunnels and disaster prevention systems.

Saving energy and weeding out outdated capacity was also highlighted. The circular urged the strict control of pollution emissions, green building development, effective use and protection of water resources and strengthening of city greenery.

Measures should be rolled out to protect natural reserves, such as Yuntai Mountain and ecological function zones including wetlands and water sources.

Public service facilities involving education, healthcare, and municipal administration should be enhanced.

Subsidized apartments should be included in the recent construction plan. 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 heritage sites.