Xinxiang’s urban plan is given the go-ahead

The State Council has approved the overall urban plan (2011-2020) for Xinxiang, a city in Central China’s Henan province, according to a notice released on Wednesday. By 2020, Xinxiang’s downtown population should be limited to 1.55 million, and urban construction land to 138.18 square kilometers of the city’s 850 square kilometers. The plan said urban and rural areas should be developed in a coordinated way. Infrastructure and amenities in urban areas should also serve surrounding villages. Resource conservation and environmental protection were highlighted. The plan aims to enhance efforts in cutting production overcapacity and pollution emissions. Protection of water resources should be strengthened and ecological resorts such as the Baiquan scenic area, wetlands and water sources should be strictly protected. The plan also stressed public services in education, healthcare and affordable housing, as well as protection of the traditional urban landscape, historical and cultural heritages.