China Tibet Online
2015-05-22
Tibet will invest one billion yuan this year in the construction of 20 pilot sites of Tibetan-style small towns between 2015 and 2017 to promote urbanization in Tibet Autonomous Region, www.xzxw.com reported.
It is reported that Year 2015 will be the preparatory phase for the construction work, Year 2016 the full implementation phase and Year 2017 the acceptance phase. By combining local development practices, the first provincial-level pilot sites of Tibetan-style small towns will be chosen from those along the transport routes, rivers and borders with stable economic and social foundations as well as industrial advantages.
According to the official of Tibet’s Housing and Construction Office, 20 pilot sites of small town will be built based on the principal of “people oriented with a focus on ecology and harmonious development” to create suitable conditions for living, working and travelling.
He added that, to create a livable environment, construction of infrastructure must speed up in the small town pilot sites, including roads, electricity, communications, water drainage, and wastewater treatment . It is also necessary to accelerate the integration of the urban public transport system, the establishment of medical care, employment, education, old age pension, social security, social welfare and other public service facilities.
To be suitable for employment means creating a favorable economic environment for production and job creation, strengthen industrial support, enhancing economic power and increase the self-development capabilities of the small towns. Based on the regional advantages, resources and economic foundation of the small town pilot sites, pillar industries can be determined, and the structure of the agricultural and animal husbandry industries can be improved. It will also help develop the ethnic handicraft, special ecological agriculture and animal husbandry, trade logistics and leisure tourism industries.
He also mentioned that there would be a focus on ecological construction in the planning and construction of these 20 small towns. Also great importance will be attached to the protection and control of their natural ecosystems, afforestation, protection of their natural landscape and cultural heritage, and more use of clean energy.
There will be three small town pilot sites in Lhasa and four in Shigatse, including Gyirong Town, which was recently affected by the earthquake. In addition, there will be three sites in Lhoka Prefecture, three in Nyingchi, three at Chamdo City, two in Nagqu Prefecture and two in Ngari Prefecture respectively.
