Lhasa urban redesign

In March 2009, China announced plans to make Lhasa, Tibet, into “a coordinated and distinctive modern metropolis by 2020,” with a target of 10 million visitors per year.

The plan includes the building of many parks, green spaces along the roadsides and renovation and expansion of seven urban roads. All buildings facing Beijing Road, the major road through the city, are to be renovated to “feature local ethnic characteristics.”

The State Council plans to cap the downtown population at fewer than 450,000 and constrain urban development to within 75 square kilometers. Local authorities are urged to “cautiously preserve” the city’s cultural relics, architecture and religious sites.