Presented in　Ｗｏｒｌｄ　Ｐｌａｎｎｉｎｇ School　Ｃｏｎｆｅｒｅｎｃｅ，Ｊｕｌｙ１３－１５，２００１，Ｓｈａｎｇｈａｉ
HANGZHOU： The 2nd biggest metropolis in Yangtze River Delta region
Zhang Yunquan
(Hangzhou Construction Commission,Hangzhou310006)

Hangzhou is famous to the world for its charming scenery, known as Paradise on Earth. As one of the seven ancient capitals of China, Hangzhou is designated by the State Council as a national historical and cultural city. The city boasts of more than 2,200 years of history since the establishment of a county administration in the Qin dynasty. Hanghzou was both the capital of Wuyue Kingdom in the Five Dynasties and the Southern Song Dynasty.

Hangzhou has not only been well endowed with picturesque landscape, but also with attractive civilizations. Famous people in the past centuries have left behind them historical remnants, poems and paintings. Hangzhou is also the birthplace of Mr. Bisheng, the inventor of Movable Printing Technology. At present, there are 17 higher universities and colleges, and many science research institutions in Hangzhou.

Hangzhou is the capital city of Zhejiang Province and its political, economic, cultural, transportation and tourist center. The Hangzhou region covers an area of 16,596 square kilometers with a population of 6.1164 million, while the city proper takes up 3068 square kilometers with a population of 3.7 million now. At present Hangzhou has fastened its stride toward the aim of a City Strong in Economy and Famous in Culture.

Administrative Region of Hangzhou

Natural Conditions
Hangzhou is located at the southern wing of the Yangtze River Delta, west end of Hangzhou Bay, in the lower valley of the Qiantang River, at the southern end of Beijing-Hanghzou Canal and north to Shanghai and east to Ningbo. The city boundary is at 29 11` to 30 34` latitude and at 118 20’ to 120 37` longitude.

Its west, central and south parts belong to hilly areas of west Zhejiang, a main region for various economic produces. Its Northeast and Southeast parts belong to the Northern Plain of Zhejiang, with crisscrossing rivers. It is a famous place as Country of Fish and Rice. Hilly areas take up 65.6% of the city total, the plain 26.4%, rivers, lakes and reservoirs 8%. Hangzhou belongs to the subtropical seasonal climate, with distinct seasons, warm and humid, plenty of sunshine and rainfall. Average annual temperature is 16.2C, its summer average temperature is 28.6C, and its winter average temperature is 3.8C. Average annual rainfall is 1,435 millimeters, and average humidity is 76%.

The earth of Hangzhou is mainly red soil and rice soil. Red soil is found in hilly areas, suitable for tea, and fruit trees. The areas around the West Lake Dragon Well produces best tea. Rice land is concentrated in the Northeast plain area, mainly for rice, oil and linen, and vegetable production.

Overall Economy

In 1998, GDP of Hangzhou reached 113.5 billion yuan, an increase rate of 11.2% compared to the previous year. In 2000, GDP of Hangzhou has reached to 138 billion yuan, an increase rate of 11.8% compared to previous year. The local fiscal income in 2000 reached to 6.92 billion yuan, an increase rate of 53.9% compared to previous year. Hangzhou’s national economy has achieved sustainable and fast growth, ranking among the top ten cities in economic term, in GDP the second among the provincial capital cities in the nation.

GDP Growth of Hangzhou

Industrial, Employment and Investment Structure

At the time of maintaining the national economic development, Hangzhou has made a great effort in developing service sector, optimizing the second sector and maintaining the stable development of the first sector, so as to coordinate the development of the three sectors. In 1998, the ratio of the three sectors in the national economy is 8.5:51.8:39.7, while in 2000, the ratio is 7.3:51.6:41.1.

In 1998, the ratio of employment in the three sectors in Hangzhou region is respectively 31.3%, 36.5% and 32.2%, while in the city proper the ratio is 8.7%, 44.2% and 47.1%.

In 1998, Hangzhou has made investment in fixed assets of 36.366 billion yuan, an increase of 19.9% compared to previous year. Investment in agriculture, transportation, traffic, electric supply and other urban infrastructure has been strengthened. The investment in infrastructure and overhauling the old infrastructure was 80.7% increase compared to previous year. The fixed assets investment from collective enterprises was 26.817 billion yuan. The ratios for the three industrial sectors are respectively 0.2%, 26.4% and 73.4%. The investment in the service sector increased by 1,3%.

Infrastructure Facilities
In past few years, Hangzhou has explored many channels for attracting investment to fasten the step of urban construction. From 1993 to 1998, the investment in urban infrastructure is 27.6 billion yuan, among which 1998 covers 9.9 billion yuan, an increase rate of 80.7% to last year. Many projects of roads, traffic, water supply, electric supply, gas supply related to work and living have been put into operation.

By the end of 1998, the total urban road length is 975 km. With the expansion of the city, public transportation system has been improved. The total length have been increased to 1,421 km, with 1,364 buses, 184 more than last year. In 1998, the daily water processing capacity has been expanded to 1.1 million tons, 15 tons more than last year, annual water supply 320 million tons. The electric network has been developing quickly. 42 new lines of 10 kw have been set up in the city and 184 low voltage areas have been renovated, net increase of transformation capacity of 127,200 v/a, basically ending summer blackout in peak hours. In 1998, the users in the city of gas reached 383,100, gas rate of 90.8%, having realizing the target for 9th five-year in advance.

In recent years, the capacity of water supply, gas supply and electricity supply have been greatly improved. After the projects of 8th five-year plan, water supply emergency project, Qianjiang Water Plant, West Water Plant, Anti-salty first phase project, shortages of water supply and salty water problem have been solved. In 1998, the second phase Qianjiang Water Plant for 150,000 tons have been put into operation, which enables Hangzhou to produce1.1 million tons of water daily, annual water capacity 320 million tons. At the meantime, another water plant with a daily water capacity of 0.3 million tons—West Water Plant will be completed shortly, which will increase Hangzhou’s water supply to 1.4 million tons.

Environmental Protection

The environment protection has made great achievements. Projects like Blue Sky, Clear Water, Green and Quiet have been conducted in Hangzhou. In 1998, all urban built-up area has been under smoke and dust control. The urban noise rate is 58.1, reaching the national control limit. Sewage treatment rate of the city is 68.1%, comprehensive recycle rate of solid waste is 93.5%. The capacity to sewage treatment has been strengthened. Sibao Sewage Treatment Plant is the largest sewage treatment plant in the nation at present. The daily treatment capacity is 400,000 tons, and the second phase project will increase the treatment capacity to 600,000 tons. The clean energy project, treatment of vehicle emission, green buses and non-lead energy for taxis have all been implemented. In 1998, the smoke and dust control coverage is 100%.

Gardens and Greenness

In recent years, Hangzhou has implemented green projects from along the rivers, the seas and the roads. The green land in the city has greatly enlarged. By the end of 1998, the urban green land has reached 56.77 million sq.m, an increase of 1.43 million sq.m compared to last year. The public green land in the city has reached 7.78 million sq.m, per capita green land 5.78 sq.m. At the same time, Hangzhou has strengthened the protection of the West Lake scenery. The city has also set up Southern Song Court Porcelain Museum, Zhangchangsui Temple, Sudongpo Memorial Hall, China Pagoda Park, China Rock Cave Art Park and etc.

Housing Construction

The policies of Uniformed Planning, Rational Outlay, Comprehensive development and Supportive Facilities have been adopted in planning of residential zones, in old city renovation and new city development. From 1992 to 1998, the city has completed 10.84 million sq.m living space, and built over 80 large residential zones with good facilities, fulfilled 2 thirds of old city renovation. In 1998, the old city renovation started in densely risky housing area, along the East River, Middle River, Wu Hill area, Fuxing Area and Gongchengqiao Area. By the end of 1998, living space for average urban citizen is 9.6sq.m, ranking among the first group in the largest cities of the nation.

The Prospective Aim

The prospective aim in 2010

――Total GDP of Hangzhou region will be 358 billion yuan, per total GDP will be 55 thousand yuan.

――The industry structure is going to change from “second, third, and first” to “third, second, and first”. The proportion of three industries will be adjusted to 3:43:54.

――The proportion of non-agricultural labor force in social total number of people engaged in work will be about 80%.

――The contribution ratio of technology progressive factor in economic growth will be above 55%.

――The registered people in whole city should be controlled to about 6.5 million, and nature growth rate of population between 2001 and 2010 should be no more than 4‰.

Tourism Development
Hangzhou is well known to the world for its beautiful landscape, and has been designated by the State Council as a Scenic City with Rich Cultural and Historical Heritages. As Paradise on the Earth, it has enjoyed prosperity since the ancient Qiantang times. With its beautiful landscape and rich civilization, it has attracted a huge number of domestic and foreign tourists, about 21 million in each of the recent years. In 1998, Hangzhou was ranked as China's Best Tourist City.

The West Lake in the center of Hangzhou, is one of ten famous attractions of China. It integrates lake with mountains and forests. In Hangzhou, there are many parks, museums, memorial halls and entertainment places. In recent years, many theme parks have been set up such as: Song Castle, Future World, Hangzhou Palace. Each has a specific cultural content in it, attracting many tourists and becoming a hot point of tourism in Hangzhou.

The whole service system for tourism in Hangzhou has become satisfactory. Hangzhou enjoys high-class hotels, tourist service, food, and quality tourist products, meeting the demands of different peoples. By the end of 1998, there are 102 star hotels with 17,600 rooms, of which four are four star hotels and 23 three star hotels. There are 2,563 non-star hotels with 140,000 beds. At present, there are 176 travel agencies, with 26 international travel agencies and 150 domestic ones.

In recent years, Hangzhou Party Committee and Hangzhou Municipal Government have regarded tourism as pillar stone for the economy and engine of economic growth. In 1998, the city hosted 0.51 million foreign tourists with tourist revenue of USD 210 million, 21.21 million domestic tourists, taking up about 14.4%. Tourism has become an important growth sector of Hangzhou's economy.

Urban Planning
The current master plan of Hangzhou was approved by the State Council in 1983. Since then, Hangzhou has put great efforts into master plan implementation and consummation. With the 2001 administrative boundary adjustment, the administrative area of Hangzhou has been enlarged from 683 sq.km of 1996 and 3068 sq.km of 2001. Hangzhou has now been in an unprecedented development era in its history.

The new round of master plan of Hangzhou is now under preparation, which is expected to direct the development up to the year of 2020 and even further to 2050. Upon the adoption by the State Council, the new master plan will become the law concerning development and planning management. It will be submitted to the State Council for approval early next year.

In order to prepare the new round of master plan, a conceptual development or strategic development plan of Hangzhou is now under preparation, which will provide a framework or concept of how Hangzhou will develop under different development scenarios. The conceptual development plan is expected to be finished early September 2001 and will be approved by the municipal government.

The planning bureau of Hangzhou has not only emphasized daily development control, but also different kind of planning making. In the year 2000, the bureau has put about 15 million yuan into planning making. More money will be investment into planning making this year.

The municipal government of Hangzhou encourages international planning efforts and cooperation. Many international planning experts have been invited to make their contributions to planning and development of Hangzhou by the government in recent years.

New development opportunity needs new thinking and new theory. The municipal government welcomes all international planning experts to visit Hangzhou and seek cooperation and research chances.