Shanghai population cap put at 25 million

Shanghai’s permanent residents should be capped at 25 million by 2035, while the overall construction land will be limited to 3,200 square kilometers, according to an approved overall urban plan (2017-2035) for Shanghai, China’s biggest city and major industrial hub. The plan was released by the State Council, China’s Cabinet, on Dec 25. As a well-known historic and cultural city, Shanghai is also a center for international trade, finance, shipping and technological innovation, the plan said. Therefore, the city should play a bigger role to serve the Belt and Road Initiative and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, while deepening reform and opening-up. The plan set the goal for Shanghai to build a distinguished global city. Shanghai’s layout should be in line with expanding ecological space, saving agricultural land while optimizing the urban areas. An integral system should be set up to balance the development of the downtown area, new towns and surrounding villages. It should also enhance coordination with surrounding cities to build a world-class city cluster. The city’s size will be tightly controlled. Priority will also be given to environmental protection. More effort should be made to cut outdated production capacity, reduce pollutant emissions, enhance protection of water areas and green land, and build a water-conserving city and a sponge city, according to the plan. The central government also urges Shanghai to create a better living environment for its residents. Public services such as education, culture, sports, healthcare and elderly care should be improved. Residential land and its supporting infrastructure should be rationally arranged. The supply of houses should be increased through multiple channels, and management of urban and rural environment should be strengthened. In addition, the municipal government was called to explore its cultural features and promote its soft power. Historical sites need to be protected, and the buildings in important areas need a careful design to present a blended style of traditional cultures, nature and modernization. The amenities should be constructed in a safe and low-emission way for the convenience of users. As a traffic hub, Shanghai’s infrastructure such as highways, railways, airports and ports should be improved to boost regional transportation network. Greater attention should be paid to risk control to guard against disasters and emergencies. A new governing mechanism for the megacity is emphasized in the plan. The rule of law is set to be boosted in Shanghai’s urban governance. Internet and big data will be further used to promote a scientific and smart administration. Local governments should also solicit solutions from citizens, encouraging them to participate in urban governance. The central government urges the municipal government to strictly follow the plan and maintain solid implementation.