The State Council has approved the overall urban planning (2010-2020) for Xiangtan in Central China’s Hunan province.

Xiangtan is a central city in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan city cluster, which is also an important industrial, technological and tourism city.

According to the plan, coordinated urban and rural development was urged in the designated area of 1,069 square kilometers, with infrastructure and public services available to surrounding villages. In addition, extra attention should be paid to planning counties and major towns under its jurisdiction.

By 2020, the downtown population will be limited to 1.1 million, and an area of 110 square kilometers will be used for urban construction. In addition, no new district or development zones should be established outside the approved area.

Newly added construction land should be strictly controlled, and underground space should be explored and utilized. Efforts should also be made to improve the land usage rate and protect basic farmland.

The State Council also urged the Xiangtan government to improve urban infrastructure, establishing a comprehensive transportation system and promoting the construction of urban parking lots.

Other city infrastructure, such as water supply and waste disposal system, should be developed under a coordinated plan. Disaster prevention and reduction work should also be reinforced, the plan said.

The local government is urged to strictly control emissions of pollutants, improve the use efficiency of water resources, promote the construction of a “sponge city” and enhance the protection of scenic spots and special ecological function areas.

The State Council also called for better public services concerning education, medical care and municipal administration, and the construction of subsidized apartments should be included in the city’s development plan.

Efforts should also be made to protect historic culture and natural reserves.