The State Council approved the updated overall urban plan (2011-2020) of Xinxiang, a city in Central China’s Henan province, according to a circular issued on Nov 29.

The circular states that by 2020, the downtown population should be limited to 1.55 million, and urban construction land to 138.18 square kilometers out of the city’s total 850 sq km.

Urban and rural areas should be developed in a coordinated way. Infrastructure and public service utilities in urban areas should also serve the surrounding villages.

Resource saving and environmental protection are highlighted. The circular asked for enhancing efforts to cut laggard capacity and pollutant emissions.

Green buildings and protection of water resources should be reinforced. Ecological resorts such as Baiquan scenic area, wetlands and water sources should be strictly protected.

The circular also stressed enhancing public services involving education, healthcare, and low-cost housing, as well as protecting the traditional city landscape, historical and cultural heritage sites.