Abstract
This article traces the development process of Beijing’s First Green Belt from its origins in the 1950s, to its reinterpretation in the 1980s/1990s and its implementation in the 1990s/2000s. We identify three-time phases and important milestones, which kept the green belt idea alive, developed it and contextualized it in relation to the historical background. This article shows that the first green belt project in Beijing was a continuing process of changing functions and ranges. Its adaptability to variations followed the political changes and reflected the socio-economic dynamics, which secured its longevity. Different ideas shaped the plan and its link to mega events like the Olympic Games and environmental problems accelerated the implementation, but the shortage of funding and absence of legislation led to a compromised result. The case is an interesting example of how a long-term project transforms over and with time, but also for the gap between planning ambitions and actual urban development, illustrating past and contemporary urban planning in the context of a fast-developing country.
Highlights
One of the key planning ideas of the past was the development of a green belt around the city, referred to as the ‘first green belt’, as a second one, further out from the centre, came up later
Six successive master plans were formulated for Beijing from 1949 to 2004, and from the 1958 master plan, the green belt took a place in the comprehensive plan
The green belt idea got through times of crisis and prosperity in China
Summary
Beijing has experienced a tremendous urban growth in the past century, growing from 4.2 million inhabitants in 1949 to 21.7 million inhabitants in 2015. The built-up area of the city expanded and increased its size by more than 12 times in that period, from 109 to 1401 km2 [1]. One of the key planning ideas of the past was the development of a green belt around the city, referred to as the ‘first green belt’, as a second one, further out from the centre, came up later. The design and development of the first green belt in Beijing covered a long period since 1949. The green belt was influenced by various policies and plans, and its size fluctuated up and down following the policy changes
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