CGTN America
China’s massive capital city may be moving — at least partly. A plan calls for a new urban center in the “eastern gateway to Beijing.” Experts said it will take pressure off the nation’s capital.
CGTN’s Sun Ye reports.
Tongzhou, the up-and-coming southeastern district of Beijing will soon be home to a new sub-center. Municipal government offices, high-end international business districts, cultural and touristy attractions and innovation centers and platforms will all be there.
The plan predicts that as industries and functional areas shift eastward, up to 500 thousand will depart for Tongzhou, the sub center. This will help decongest the massive capital.
The area lies roughly a 40 minute drive away from the Beijing city center. The plan said the sub-center will attract new-comers through its vibrant industries, as well as designs attentive to all human needs.
“People will be able to find all kinds of facilities from playgrounds to nursing care stations within a 5 minute walk,” Du Liqun, Vice Director of Beijing Municipal Urban Planning & Design Institute said. “It also plans for one-stop-service-centers for all neighborhoods, which will also be within walking distance.”
The sub-center plan also promises to be largely green.
“From its industrial line-up to its environmentally-friendly design, such co-ordinated arrangements will ensure the area develops well and lasts long,” Du Liqun said.
Local residents said they would consider moving.
“So long as transportation, facilities and the environment are really good, I would go there,” one said.
The younger generation, like me, can’t live without shopping centers,” another said. “If I move it’s not just for work. It sounds neat.”
Designers said their plans will continually be fine-tuned based on feedback.
Yan Song discusses Beijing’s upscale subcenter plan
CGTN’s Asieh Namdar spoke to Yan Song about what Beijing is calling its “beutiful, model’ urban district. She’s Director of the Program on Chinese Cities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
