Shandong's Yantai will speed up its pace of urbanization to create new sources of growth, according to the newly-released New Urbanization Planning of Yantai (2021-35).

Urbanization is the only path to modernization, and also has greatest potential for expanding domestic demand and is an important driving force for economic growth. Yantai has formed a basic pattern of urbanization, and as the end of 2020, the city's urbanization rate of permanent residents reached 67.31 percent.

"It is expected that in the next 15 years, the permanent urban population in Yantai will continue to grow. The city will adhere to the development pattern of people-centered new urbanization, which is beneficial to improve the spatial pattern of economic development and enhance the competitiveness of urban development. The new urbanization also plays a key role in promoting the integrated development of urban and rural areas, and achieving common prosperity," said Yu Baohua, an official from the city's development and reform commission.

According to the development plan, Yantai will be committed to green development, and respond actively to the country's call to accelerate the implementation of the dual carbon goal in an all-around way, as well as foster new growth drivers.

Yantai will also promote "sponge city" construction according to local conditions. The plan noted that 90 projects related to sponge city construction will be launched, 10 mountain parks will be built, and 100 kilometers of fitness trails will be constructed in the coming years.

Yantai will firmly establish and practice the concept that clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets, and pursue an all-around green transition in economic and social development. The city will also expand clean heating systems in rural areas.

Shandong's Yantai is speeding up urbanization to create new sources of growth. [Photo/VCG]