Beijing plans to reorganize its 18 districts and counties over the next five years to ease pressure on its over-crowded downtown nexus.

According to its planning body, the city of 16 million will map out four functional areas -- the central urban area, a multi-purpose development area, a new city area and a green area.

Under a plan released Wednesday by the Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Beijing's increasing urban population will slowly be staggered outwards, relieving pressure on managing its downtown core.

Experts believe the plan will facilitate the free flow of capital, technologies and human resources, as efforts are underway to narrow the economic gap between districts and counties.

The central urban area within the second ring road, which is the core of the 600-year-old ancient capital and the political center of China, will continue to be characterized by a rich cultural heritage.

Over 28,000 people per square kilometer crowd the downtown area, six times the figure for the suburbs, according to a 2005 government report.

The multi-purpose development area centers on the Zhongguancun high-tech zone and the Olympic Central Area in the city's northern part and the Central Business District in the east.

The new city area will boost economic development in the suburban districts of Tongzhou and Yizhuang as well as Shunyi's airport economic zone.

The green area in outlying districts and counties will permit a better ecological system for the ensemble of Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2006)