The State Council has approved a national territorial spatial plan for Jinan for the 2021-2035 period, according to an official reply issued on Nov 11.

As a national historical and cultural city, as well as a national comprehensive transportation hub, Jinan holds significant importance as a major city in the Yellow River basin.

According to the reply, by 2035, the total area of cultivated land in Jinan should be no less than 5.0327 million mu, of which the protection area for permanent basic farmland will be no less than 4.435 million mu, and the red line area for ecological protection should be no less than 1,238 square kilometers.

The circular stressed efforts to strengthen regional coordination in the development, protection and utilization of territorial spatial in the Jinan metropolitan area and foster a new paradigm of territory development and protection with obvious main functions, complementary advantages and high-quality development.

While accelerating the construction of an urban system with regional coordination and integrated urban and rural areas, the reply also called for efforts to coordinate the infrastructures spaces such as water conservancy, energy resources, environment, communications and national defense.

Jinan should also take steps to improve the protection mechanism for cultural and natural heritages and strengthen the protection of world heritages, scenic and historic sites, and famous springs such as Baotu Spring, Black Tiger Spring, Five Dragons Pool and Pearl Spring, building a spatial system for holistic protection of cultural, natural and landscape resources.

The reply also specified that the plan must not be revised or modified at will by any departments or individuals.