Government and Policy
Qingdao aims high in promoting urbanization
By Zhao Ruixue (China Daily Shandong Bureau)
Updated: 2010-03-15 19:33
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Ideas on how to promote urbanization in Qingdao are under discussion with opinions focusing on agricultural and countryside modernization.
To facilitate the process, Qingdao will strengthen its efforts on developing a new district center around the western shore of Jiaozhou Bay following the lack of land at the eastern shore of the bay available for further construction.
Since 2001, the urbanization rate has seen an annual increase of 1.1 percent to reach 65.7 percent in the year 2009.
Qingdao is aiming for its urbanization rate to reach 74 percent in 2015.
To hit the target, Qingdao will further promote the development of its seven urban districts by optimizing the administrative management, infrastructure, and social security systems.
To narrow the gap between the urban areas and countryside, Qingdao also focuses on developing its five satellite cities by promoting six sectors including industrial, infrastructure and ecological development.
Artery roads and highways in rural areas will be upgraded. Public infrastructure including telecommunication, irrigation works and environmental protection system will also be enhanced to expand the rural areas' capacity.
The following five years will see Qingdao earmark 200 million yuan each year on a forestation drive. At least 130,000 mu （8,667 hectares）of forests will be built every year. This is also part of the preparations for the 2014 World Gardening and Horticulture Expo which is scheduled to be held in Qingdao.
