“When my trip to Xiling Gorge draws to its end, in the east the sun is arising; to my surprise, in front of the flat-topped mountains along the broad Yangtze River, my eyes are greeted by a big city emerging.” This line is quoted from a poem written by the famous contemporary Chinese poet Guo Moruo in which he extolled the beautiful scenery in Yichang City.
At the 10th Party Congress of Hubei Province it was instructed that Yichang be transformed into modern megacity as a provincial sub-central/ regional central city in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River which possesses abundant of hydraulic power and tourism resources.
Since the completion of construction of Gezhouba Water Control Project and Three Gorges Water Control Project, Yichang Municipal Government has seized the third opportunity of“golden ten years”to quicken its pace of building Yichang into a modern megacity with“a large size and the charm of high-level development with agreeability and habitability.”And by the end of“12th Five-year Plan”, we strive to achieve the goal of“big city”with 2 million permanentpopulationin the urban framework of200 square kilometers.
A Drastic Change from a Small City by the Yangtze River to a Modern Mega-city
Yichang is located at the picturesque Xiling Gorge of the Yangtze River.
Just as Huang Chuping, a Member of Provincial Standing Party Committee and Secretary of Yichang Municipal Party Committee, pointed out, “Yichang is located at “the gate to Three Gorges as well as Sichuan", so it should conform to the historical trend of urbanization and quicken its pace of transforming into a modern megacity, which is an inevitable choice and objective course to respond to the economic and social development in Yichang.”
Additionally there are only two megacities including Chongqing and Wuhan in the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River of over 1000km; generally, the radius of influence of the megacity can reach two to three hundred kilometers. So, Yichang, due to its geographic advantage of location, should serve the connecting link between Chongqing and Wuhan. It goes without saying that the prosperity of Yichang may drive the development of the entire Yangtze valley.
The map of Hubei Province shows that in the triangular distribution of the three cities of Wuhan, Yichang and Xiangyang, Yichang takes the prominent position in Western Hubei Provice, enjoying geographic advantage, which makes it possible to promote the regional economic and social development as a megacity.
In 2011, the Provincial PartyCommitteeand Government held a meeting in Yichang on construction of the pattern of“Wuhan as the center and Yichang and Xiangyang as two sub-central cities”.In other words, the gross regional product in Wuhan, in Yichayang and Xiangyang, and in the other cities each accounts for one third of the size of economy in Hubei.
The drastic change in Yichang from a smallcity by the Yangtze River to a modern mega-city has proven that it goes with the historical trend.In 1949, Yichang only had an urban population of 70, 000; when Gezhouba Water Control Project was under construction, the urban population increased to 170,000; when this project was completed, the urban population reached 350,000. Since the construction of Three Gorges Water Control Project was started, the urban population has now exceeded 1.28 million and shows no sign at present of ceasing to rise. Driven by these projects, Yichang brings about historic leap-forward development, during which Yichang experienced two times changes in quick succession first from a small city to a medium-sized city, then from a medium-sized city to a megacity.
Thegross regional product in Yichang maintained a double-digit growth for the ninth consecutive year in 2012, well abovetheaverage among prefecture-level cities in Hubei or in China for ten years in a row.Last year, its gross regional product summed to 40 billion US dollars, which made Yichang as a prefecture-level city ranked, among the cities of the same level, the63rdin China, the 2ndin central China and the4thalong the Yangtze River in comparison of the gross regional product.
Up to now, the percentage of urbanization in Yichang has reached 53.59%, and according to the law, the percentage between 50 to 70 percent indicates the high-speed development of a city. With the wise strategic decision made by the Provincial Government, with the drive from urbanization, it is the best time for Yichang to enjoy rapid development.
Statistics on the gross regional product(GRP) in Yichang show that it takes thirty years to raise the GRP from RMB 100 million yuan to 10 billion yuan ; from RMB 1 billion yuan to 10 billion yuan by 12 years; from RMB10 billion yuan to 100 billion yuan by 15 years; from RMB100 billion yuan to 200 billion yuan by 3 years.
Yichang as the central city among the urban circle of Yichang, Jingzhou and Jingmen can take on a larger role in wielding its influence. Last year, Yichang witnessed an influx of population of 100 thousand. It is estimated that by 2016 the size of economy in Yichang will double on the present basis. And with the expansion of industry scale, a large influx of population will give Yichang a boost to accelerate its development.
However, at present there still exist quite a few issues to be solved in old city zone of Yichang. Some of them are urgent including the enormous pressure of transportation and housing, the unreasonably above-standard population density at certain area in the city, almost no spare environment capacity, the difficulty for people to get to their destination, either by foot or by public transport, and parking problem. Population density at certain area in Yichang has amounted to 60 thousand people per square kms, which is approaching the density in first-tier cities in China like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. TO reduce the pressure from the old city zone of Yichang, it is urgent to expand the size of Yichang.
The decision to build Yichang into a megacity conforms to the practical need of the region and the trend of development of history.
To build Yichang into a megacity surrounded by satellite cities on the basis of mountains and rivers
“On reaching here, the Yangtze River grows wider, and flows more quietly and we call this condition Yi; most of the mountains appear in front of you seem low and in this condition we call Ling.” Yiling is the ancient name of Yichang, which is endowed with abundant water and mountain resources.
Due to its over 60% forest coverage, Yichang is honored with the title of National Forest City, which can not do without Yichang people’s long-term awareness of forest protection which makes the forestry area throughout the city keep growing for years. In the meantime, as a riverside city, Yichang enjoys the privilege of the Yangtze River of dozens of miles winding through the urban city.
Because of its geographic condition, it is suitable for Yichang to build into a city combined by satellite cites. According to the planning, the urban district surrounded by mountains and waters will consists of 13 satellite cities (groups), stretching on both sides of the Yangtze River.
The Goup of four districts including Xiling District, Wujiagang District, Dianjun District and Yiling District will be the main zone of the city in which the beautiful scenery will be highlighted.
The Goup of Three Gorges Dam Areas surrounded by mountains will be composed of two parts: the upper dam is vast and flat man-made reservoir while below the dam is beautiful scenery of the Xiling Gorge.
The Goup of Xiaoting and Baiyang will be mainly industry base and equally lay stress on ecological protection and protection of the mountains and waters.
The Goup of Longquan, Yaqueling, Anfusi, Gujiadian will be mainly industry base and equally require greening and environment protection.
The Goup of Honghuatao and Gaobazhou Dam Area will be to protect the existing pastoral scene, appropriately to reconstruct the wetland at Gaobazhou Dam Area and to pay attention to the greening and environment protection between industry parks and residential areas.
The juncture area between these groups will be built into fast channels and rail transport which can join these groups together. And by setting up ecological shelter zone, the juncture area can also demonstrate its beautiful landscape.
According to the master planning of Yichang approved by Provincial Government in Hubei, by 2030 the permanent population living in the central urban area will be maintained about 3 million while the land for construction should be within 300 square kms. And the long-term planning indicates that Yichang will have a population of 5 million in central city in an area of 500 square kms.
In a word, in the “big city” dream of Yichang people, Yichang should be a postmodern city which
boasts about its beautiful scenery, clear regional functions and scientific layout for
industries,which is surrounded by mountains and waters on both sides of the Yangtze River.
Dongshan Development Area—A Successive Case on the Integrity of Industry and City
How to build Yichang into a modern megacity in the future? People’s attention are drawn to a development zone in the central city of Yichang—Dongshan Development Zone，which by means of studying the case of Dongshan can shed interest light on how to transform Yichang into a megacity.
In1988，Yichang government initiated the construction of its first urban development zone in Dongshan which was still a desolate place. Twenty-four yearsafter the initiation,great changes have taken place within the 6 square kms area.Residentpopulation hasincreasedfrom about 10 thousandto 120thousand. Well-known enterprises, such as Yichang Humanwell Pharmaceutical Co., LTD,HXF SAW CO., LTD, Parsons Music,Henan Shineway Group, have settled down in Golden Dongshan Market. Thousands of enterprises have settled down in Yichang Jindongshan Market withannualtaxationincreasefrom 60 million to 1.4 billion. The bleak suburb hasnow becomebusystreets.
The rising of Dongshan Development Zone makes Yichang people understand that only by developing industry and city together can we hope to achieve the goal of co-prosperity of industry and city. Now “the principle” has become the secrets of modern megacity building.
Followed by the principle of co-development of industry and city, Xiaoting District has become the second Dongshan. The former poor village is being transformed into a prosperous industrious city. Being an important development district, Xiaoting spares 50 square kilometers green belt to make it livable and green.
Now Yichang National High-tech Zone has formed the development pattern of “One District, Six Parks” with Dongshan and Xiaoting as the leading. In the light of the principle of developing industry and city together, we will follow the principle of planning prior to construction, establishing facilities prior to investment, developing underground prior to overground, putting ecological concept prior to production, trying to form a scientific layout of park and industry.
In the current process of modern megacity construction, Yichang follows the way of “Dongshan Development Zone” did. In accordance with the overall strategic layout of “Tourism in West, Industry in East, Cities Concentrated”, Yichang spares no effort to develop the riverside “Trillion Economic Corridor”.
On March of 2013, 51 major projects with a total investment of 16.7 billion started to construct, marking the official beginning of the construction of Yichang New District.
At the same time, Yichang is carrying out the plan of developing six industries with over 100 billion economic values within 3 years.
It is estimated thatby 2016, the output value of chemical industry will amount to 180 billion RMB; that of food and beverage industry will reach 150 billion RMB; that of advanced equipment manufacturingindustry will sum to 160 billion RMB; that of advanced material industry, cultural tourism industry and modern logistic industry will also reach 100 billion RMBrespectively.
Yichang at that time will account for about 15% of Hubei economy, with the gross regional product exceeding 500 billion RMB, and the budget of local public finance over 30 billion RMB.
Comprehensively Improving the Construction Quality by “Four Priorities”
“The present livelihood is far better than before.” said Hu Xinghua, a villager of Lianfeng Village, Wujia Town, Wujiagang District. He didn’t even dream of being a security captain and living in a high building after doing farming so long.
Hu Jing, Hu Xinghua’s son, has also undergone the great change, he said, “The development of the city provides an opportunity and a platform for us and totally changes our lives.” He takes the opportunity to open an earth-rock company so that he as well as over 70 villagers gets a job and becomes well-off.
This year, 15 billion yuan has been invested in the east zone covering Three Gorges Logistics Park, Biological Industry Park and Wujiagang Industry Park. Forty-five programs have been completed and begun operation. For the resettlement should be started prior to the program. Resettlement buildings covering 2 million m2 is planned to be built this year. The rapid development of industry and the city makes many farmers manage to live city-like life.
To build modern megacity, we must improve comprehensive service, overall quality and residents’ life.
“In the process of constructing Yichang New District, four priorities must be insisted, including road system, public construction, resettlement and ecology.”said Ma Xuming, Mayor of Yichang City.
Taking road system for example, in the new district, the trip modes will be enriched by building cross-district ring expressway, BRT, slow traffic system, greenway system and micro driving cycle system.
The new district construction is the forerunner of megacity construction of Yichang. When the new district completed, the area of Yichang City will be doubled with more convenient traffic. 15-minute city-district traffic circle and 30-minute city-county traffic circle will be constructed so that citizens can take expressway from all districts to the center of the new district in fifty minutes’ drive.
In addition, large-scale public service facilities will be built with high standard, forming comprehensive service system corresponding with the modern megacity.
Constructing “New Megacity” with Innovative Concept
Since the megacity construction of Yichang began to be planned and constructed, we have always stuck to innovation.
Referring to advanced experience of other cities, we draw upon all useful opinions to make normative documents covering innovative city management system and other six respects, to support the construction of modern megacity.
Leading Groups of Planning and Construction of the New District and Propeling Offices are set up and important problems in the construction are directly coordinated and solved by the Municipal Party Committe and the Municipal Government. Some special measures are taken, such as intervening in advance, joint examination and approval, handling special issues with special methods, settling things with limited time, and gathering all aspects of preferential policies to create the first-class development environment for the construction of the district.
Where will money come from to construct “big city”? The answer of Yichang people is: practice, creation, independence and market investments.
In the next three years, it is predicted that 200 billion yuan will invest to the construction of the new district, including 30 billion yuan invested to road network and ecological aspects by the government, and other comprehensive investment like business and tourism will be inputted by the society.
The well-established infrastructure investment, construction, operation and managerial experience have been accumulated in Yichang through painstaking management and practice in previous years. Now, freedom of our mind, active action, creation of new ways and collection of fund from the market should be implemented further in road system, ecology and many other infrastructure investments dominated by government.
Since this year, merchant promotion activities have been held by Yichang Government in Beijing, Hong Kong and Wuhan successively. Entrepreneurs take the business opportunity of big city construction. Nanbo Group invested almost 4 billion yuan last year and additional 2.5 billion yuan this year, and other enterprises have reached agreements of investment in Yichang.
Moreover, for the geographical position of “seven mountains, two hills and one plain”, policies have been carried out creatively in new district construction, such as prior protection and ecology, high intension and strict land conservation.
Approved by Hubei Provincial Government, Yichang New Districts, with the planning size of 220 square meters, covers construction land of 105 square meters and protected land of 115 square meters.
To protect the natural features of massifs and water bodies, Yichang takes full advantage of the land of mild slope of low mountains and hills and comprehensively considers economical and intensive land utilization which will be developed stepwise and used precisely.
In the development of urban land, we should give an overall consideration of the regional terrain, and determine properly road system and construction land with balanced earthwork in avoid of deep digging and filling, creating not only ecological urban landscape, but also new metropolis with modernization and characteristics. (Hubei, Xinhua Net)