On the morning of April 11, the program "12345, Just Ask If You Have a Concern" on FM103.3 News Comprehensive Radio, operated by Dalian News Media Group, featured staff from the Dalian Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources. They engaged with listeners on topics related to the city's future territorial spatial planning. A key question addressed was: What core vision does the "Dalian Territorial Spatial Master Plan (2021-2035)" provide for Dalian, defining what kind of modern city it aims to become? The central purpose of this master plan is to answer the question: "What kind of city will Dalian be built into?" The overarching goal is to firmly grasp high-quality development as the primary task, striving to build Dalian into a pioneer zone with an optimized industrial structure, a forerunner in economic and social development, and a more prosperous, livable, smart, and civilized modern international metropolis. Specifically, efforts will focus on building support in the following areas.
The plan is first grounded in implementing the major strategic positioning assigned to Dalian by the state. It will closely revolve around the new city identity as a "key coastal central city, a modern marine city, and an international comprehensive transportation hub city," undertaking three core missions. First, as a vital growth pole for the comprehensive revitalization of Northeast China, leading the high-quality development of the Liaoning Coastal Economic Belt. Second, as a new frontier for the country's opening up and cooperation facing Northeast Asia, deeply integrating into the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative, and enhancing the level of high-standard opening up. Third, as a crucial stronghold for the national strategy of building a strong maritime country, vigorously developing the marine economy and constructing a modern marine city with international influence. The plan spatially ensures the implementation of these strategic functions, guaranteeing Dalian plays a greater role in the national and regional development landscape.
The plan will continue Dalian's characteristic cluster-based development pattern, adhering to principles of "bottom-line constraints, connotative development, and elastic adaptation." It will scientifically delineate and strictly enforce the three control lines: the ecological protection red line, permanent basic farmland, and the boundary for urban development, framing the physical boundaries for the city's growth. In terms of spatial structure, the focus is on building an urban spatial system described as "one city, two districts, six clusters, and multiple nodes." This aims to shift the city from a monocentric concentration towards a "polycentric, networked, cluster-based" development, fostering multiple vibrant clusters with mixed functions and a balance between jobs and housing. This helps alleviate pressure on the old city, optimizes functional layout, and makes urban operations more efficient and healthy.
The plan fully implements the new development philosophy, transitioning from a phase of "large-scale incremental construction" to a new stage that equally emphasizes "improving existing stock and adjusting the structure of new increments." Urban renewal will be the main lever, vigorously promoting the redevelopment of inefficient land, the renovation of old residential communities, and the upgrading of industrial parks, extracting benefits, functions, and quality from existing spaces. Simultaneously, there will be strict control over the scale of new construction land, promoting mixed urban functions and compact layouts to achieve high-quality development that harmonizes population, economy, and resources with the environment.
The starting point and ultimate goal of the plan are the citizens. Efforts will focus on building a three-tier public service facility system at the municipal, district, and community levels, and fully promoting the "15-minute community life circle" planning concept. Within a 15-minute walk, residents are expected to have relatively convenient access to basic public services like education, healthcare, elderly care, shopping, leisure, and cultural and sports activities. Priority will be given to addressing shortcomings in public welfare facilities, optimizing the layout of medical, educational, and sports facilities, and enhancing the quality of public spaces such as streets, squares, and waterfront areas through urban design, making the city more convenient, comfortable, and fostering a sense of belonging.
Dalian's characteristics and advantages are inextricably linked to the "sea." How will urban planning and construction leverage this coastal特色 and marine resources to build a more charming coastal city? Dalian is a city born from the sea; how will this sea be better integrated into urban development and citizens' lives? From the "Dalian 2049 City Vision Plan" to the "Dalian Overall Urban Design," and now to the "Dalian Territorial Spatial Master Plan (2021-2035)" approved by the State Council at the end of 2024, a new development pattern of "Twin Bays at the Core" is gradually taking shape. The core of this pattern focuses on the two major bay areas of Dalian Bay and Jinzhou Bay, aiming to create the public center of the central city. Through high-quality development of these twin bays, Dalian will be built into a modern coastal city with greater international influence.
Looking first at Dalian Bay, the 60-kilometer coastline from Donggang to Soybean Bay and then to Liaoyu is undergoing transformation. Urban functions are gradually shifting towards becoming the core of urban public services. Beside the professional football stadium in Soybean Bay, waterfront leisure spaces are being rapidly developed. In the future, this area will not only have commercial, cultural, and tourism functions but will also feature continuous coastal walkways and parks, truly returning the shoreline and the sea to the people.
The biggest highlight of Jinzhou Bay is the new airport under construction on an artificial island. An airport-oriented economic zone is planned around the airport. This is the only zone in Dalian that integrates sea, land, air, rail, and high-speed rail access, positioning it to become a significant growth pole for Dalian's new round of revitalization and development.
Through the coordinated development of these twin bays, Dalian aims to achieve high-quality urban upgrading, showcasing the development heritage and vitality of an international city.
Dalian Bay is located on the eastern waterfront of Dalian's central urban area. Its 60-kilometer coastline connects a development area of approximately 42 square kilometers. This area carries the deep legacy of a century-old port city and industrial base and is also the frontline for Dalian's urban transformation and upgrading. According to the municipal territorial spatial plan and overall urban design, Dalian Bay is accelerating its development towards the goal of becoming a world-class new coastal landmark. In the future, it will converge various urban functions such as business and finance, cultural creativity, commercial trade and logistics, scientific research offices, and leisure tourism, fully showcasing Dalian's cultural底蕴 as an international city.
To achieve its development goals, Dalian Bay's urban construction is anchored around six key action directions, outlining a high-quality development轮廓. These include creating a unified bay area connecting north and south shores to form a world-class waterfront gateway image; achieving connectivity from mountains to sea by opening up visual corridors and creating green public axes leading to the water; preserving and revitalizing industrial heritage to shape central urban nodes and fulfill the vision of returning the shore and sea to the people; ensuring public access by creating continuous slow-moving leisure shoreline and themed waterfront parks; shaping a "Maritime Dalian" image by enriching the coastal landscape and enhancing the bay area's recognizability from the sea; and promoting industrial upgrading by empowering the area with finance, culture, tourism, and other industries to create a modern service industry cluster with coastal regional characteristics. Landmarks like the Soybean Bay professional football stadium and the International Conference Center serve as vibrant carriers of the city's innovation and culture.
From south to north, Dalian Bay is divided into six districts, each with its own strengths for协同 development. The Donggang district aims to become an international, regional business and financial center and cultural exchange platform. The Shipyard area will integrate cultural creativity and tourism functions after relocation, revitalizing industrial heritage. The Soybean Bay area focuses on comprehensive services like business offices, culture, sports, and tourism. The Limestone Quarry area, once Asia's largest open-pit limestone mine, is being transformed into a central ecological park and cultural tourism demonstration zone. The Dalian Petrochemical area will become a commercial, logistics, and research创意 district integrating tourism and culture. The Liaoyu area will develop into a fishing port cultural tourism zone, revitalizing闲置 industrial land.
Echoing Dalian Bay, the Jinzhou Bay Airport-Oriented Economic Zone is located on the Bohai Bay north of the central urban area. As a new growth pole, it is positioned as a regionally accessible global aviation hub, an innovation-driven new highland for Northeast China's revitalization, and a new engine for a modern marine city with air-sea synergy. The new Jinzhou Bay Airport, constructed on an offshore reclaimed artificial island, is China's first offshore artificial island airport. It is planned according to 4F standards with four runways and a 900,000-square-meter terminal building. Construction is phased, with the initial phase involving a 500,000-square-meter T1 terminal and two runways. Future phases will add more terminals and runways, aiming for an annual passenger capacity of 80 million.
Leveraging the airport's core advantage, the economic zone adopts an Airport-Oriented Development (AOD) model, integrating transportation, exhibition, and industrial functions into a "one core, two belts, three centers, four districts" development pattern. In terms of urban character, the zone aims to create a modern aviation city that showcases Dalian's charm, featuring a well-proportioned skyline, multi-dimensional landmarks, 40 kilometers of continuous public shoreline, integrated transportation landscapes, and an eco-friendly, low-carbon demonstration area.
In terms of transportation infrastructure, the zone is building a "2+2+6" express road network for quick access across the city. Five轨道交通 lines are planned, with Line 1 Phase 3 connecting directly from Dalian North Station to the new airport island. Industrially, the zone focuses on high-value, time-sensitive, high-tech airport-oriented industries, building a modern industrial system to inject strong aviation-driven momentum into regional development.
The transformation of Dalian Bay into a new urban center will bring tangible changes to residents' lives. In the past, Dalian Bay was a key industrial and port area. The shoreline was densely packed with heavy chemical industries, making public access difficult. With the relocation of these industries, comprehensive urban renewal is underway. The tangible changes for residents manifest in three main areas: Firstly, the waterfront spaces are truly opening up, providing excellent places for leisure and exercise, such as the areas around the popular Soybean Bay football stadium. Secondly, the former limestone quarry is being transformed into a central ecological park, offering large green spaces and lakeside amenities. Thirdly, transportation has improved significantly with the opening of the Dalian Bay Undersea Tunnel, drastically reducing travel times between the north and south shores. Additionally, the introduction of financial, cultural, creative, and commercial complexes will make daily life more convenient, offering richer options for shopping, dining, and entertainment. In the future, Dalian Bay will allow residents to see the sea, walk into parks, have sports facilities nearby, and cross the bay easily via the tunnel.
Regarding the limestone quarry in Ganjingzi District's north side, the plan is to transform it into the "Sky Lake" central ecological park and a quarry cultural tourism demonstration zone. After addressing geological hazards and implementing ecological restoration, the project will integrate industrial elements with leisure functions, creating unique landscapes. A north-south bridge is planned across the quarry, connecting to Gannan Road and the Soybean Bay area, with Metro Line 5 also providing access, ensuring future交通 convenience.
The new Jinzhou Bay Airport is an offshore artificial island airport, about 3 kilometers offshore. The initial phase involves the T1 terminal and two runways, designed for an annual capacity of 43 million passengers. It is expected to be completed and operational around 2030. Metro Line 1 Phase 3 and Line 5 will connect directly to the terminal basement, enabling seamless rail-air transfer and direct access to the North Station, Sports Center, and central urban areas. Airport buses and dedicated公交 lines will connect to various districts.