City expands via small town growth

Unlike many cities in China that absorb farmers from small towns into fast-expanding suburban areas, the urbanization of Qingdao, in Shandong province, uses an independent small town development.

Experts say this method is more sustainable, strikes a good balance between rural and urban areas and avoids the shortcomings of megacities.

The 2,096-square-kilometer Huangdao district, also known as Qingdao West Coast New Area, was the ninth state-level new area approved by the State Council. Located to the west of Qingdao's downtown, it is home to 12 such small towns, each with distinctive characteristics.

Zhangjialou town is on the west coast of Qingdao and is famous for oil paintings and blueberries, with plans to create a blueberry theme park.

Not far from it is Langya town, which invested 15 million yuan ($2.4 million) to transform the facade of the buildings on its main streets into styles from the Qin (221 - 206 BC) and Han (206 BC - AD 220) dynasties, times when the town was the regional, political, economic, military and cultural center of East China.

The Langya government invested about 50 million yuan to turn the two rivers running through it into a scenic belt and two public parks and to strengthen the protection of its city wall, which was built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Langya sells its agricultural products and seafood and attracts tourists via the Internet.

The mountainous Cangnan town's strength lies in its rich water and forest resources. The town has a modern agricultural industry park at the foot of Cangma Mountain, which provides more than 4,000 jobs for local farmers.

In Dacun town, more than 6,000 farming families grow mushrooms and the town has an industry park for food deep-processing enterprises and photovoltaic industries. The town also boasts many poets, artists and paper cutters.

Haiqing town is in the south of Qingdao and is an important agricultural production base. Haiqing has a long tradition of tea growing and is promoting its tea culture as an attraction for tourists.

Wang Jianxiang, deputy mayor of Qingdao, said the development of the west coast of Qingdao is of importance to the protection of the environment, ecology and culture. "The prospering of towns can let residents enjoy the comforts of urban life, the beauty of the natural landscape and provide plenty of job opportunities," said Wang, who is also party chief of Huangdao district.

"The development of the towns can let local residents enjoy the benefits of urbanization, and the government should always focus on improving the people's livelihoods in this process. The urbanization is not to expand the city, but to serve the people with urban conveniences," Wang added.

Wan Jianzhong, director of Huangdao district, said the distinctive local culture, traditions, customs and industry were the key to these towns' urbanization and can "help maintain the identity of each town".

Tong Haiyan, deputy Party chief of Huangdao, said modernization of the industrial structure is the core of urbanization. "The development of industries, and the improvement of the living environment, social security and government efficiency ensures the sustainable and healthy urbanization of these towns," she said.

Tong said the government's input mainly goes to infrastructure and the commercial, industrial and tourism projects that create jobs for residents.

Contact the writers through liyang@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 10/26/2015 page10)