The total population of Qingdao will be no more than 12 million (the permanent resident population will be no more than 6.1 million in central districts) by 2020, according to the Overall Plan of Qingdao City (2011-2020) just passed the review of the Chinese Sate Council. The urban construction area will reach 660 square kilometers; the urbanization rate will reach 78% or above, the space layout of Qingdao, industry development, and comprehensive traffic system will be further enhanced to implement national strategy.

    Enhancement of the city development positioning is the biggest bright spot in new overall urban plan. In order to meet demands of national strategy and blue economy, the plan positions Qingdao as Key Central City in Coastal Area and Coastal Leisure and Tourism City in China, International Harbor City, National Historic and Cultural Famous City, moving Qingdao towards national coastal central city from coastal economic center city of Eastern China, and towards the shipping center in Northeast Asia from coastal harbor city in China, towards the international marine cultural famous city from a domestic famous tourist city.