Kunming maps out tourism future
“We will give priority to protecting the old architecture and accelerating development of new districts,” Zhang said.
The government has also made plans to build historical and cultural blocks to reproduce Kunming’s ancient glory.
It will develop six districts, 10 scenic spots and parks to pave the way for the city’s transformation into a top tourist destination in China. A series of laws and regulations will ensure implementation of the urban planning, said Zhang.
Advanced transport
By 2015, the city will extend urban roads of another 331 kilometers, have 140,000 new parking spaces and finish the northern section of its urban rail transit lines.
It will renovate and expand its rail transport to be better connected with other cities and provinces, and build lanes for cyclists and pedestrians around the city’s lakes, said Zhang.
Favorable policies will be formulated to boost the development of transport hubs.
The city will optimize the urban drainage system to better prevent and control floods, and reduce the repetitive digging of the road, he said.
More forest
Kunming aims to bring forest coverage to 50 percent in the
The local government will carry out the plan by improving its urban layout, management, industries and people’s livelihood.” ZHANG TIANXIN PARTY SECRETARY
next two years, with green land accounting for 35 percent of the urban area.
The government will focus on water treatment and forestation to keep Kunming as “the city of eternal spring”, said Zhang.
“On one hand, the government will integrate protection, pollution treatment and tourism development of Dianchi Lake in the southwest of Kunming.
“On the other hand, it will encourage planting activities to improve the city’s green landscape and hold special flower festivals such as the camellia and sakura festivals,” said Zhang.
The city is also trying hard to streamline management to boost its quality and image.
It will clarify the responsibilities of every administrative organization and explore ways for the public to join in the management, said Zhang.
The city also plans to digitalize urban management to enable real-time monitoring and prompt response to emergencies.
Kunming will continue efforts to combat pollution, keep up with the daily road cleaning, and clear off debris from construction sites to improve the urban environment.
It has set its sights on integrating the city and industry development.
It will give full support to high-tech and strategic emerging industries, modern services, tourism and cultural businesses to build an urban complex and CBD areas.
“It will merge culture into tourism to let tourists fully experience local history, ecology, religion and fashion,” said Zhang.
Income from the city’s tourist industry is projected to surpass 65 billion yuan ($ 10.71 billion) by 2015, accounting for more than 10 percent of the local GDP.
The number of overseas travelers will exceed 1.6 million, according to the city’s plan.
It also plans balanced urban and rural development by renovating villages and developing ecological tourism in the suburbs.
The local government will put the interests of people first and address their concerns with efficiency, said officials.
It will work to stabilize agricultural production, build 51 standard food markets and 140 fresh food supermarkets to offer convenience to the local people.
“Feasible measures will come in soon to resolve various social problems such as employment, housing, social security, food and drug safety, and traffic congestion,” Zhang said.