United Nations Development Program and China International Center for Economic Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges has approved a project named "City Planning, Management and Development in 21st Century". The inception meeting of the project was held on Sept. 13 in Beijing. The total budget of the project is US10,800,000, in which US$5,000,000 is from UNDP, and US$5,800,000 is government cost-sharing. This project targets the small, medium and large non-metropolitan cities of China in their capacity to develop their economy, restructure their industries, improve the environment, and raise the quality of life, particularly for the poor, through better planning, management, and resource mobilization tools. The project draws upon pilot experience in six Chinese cities(Guiyang, Taiyuan, Jinan, Liuzhou, Meishan and Sanmenxia) to work with national authorities to develop a Policy Recommendation Paper on Urban Planning, Management and Development as part of the national urban development strategy of the Chinese government in managing urban growth.

In order to ensure the successful implementation of the project, the inception meeting and working meeting for Jinan city were held from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20 in Jinan. The representatives from municipal government agencies attend the meetings. That's the symbol of the officially start-up of the project. Facing the rapid growth of globalization and urbanization, the prominent issue of the Jinan city planning, management and development in 21st century is how to protect the cultural and historical impact, enhance the specialization, improve the quality of residential environment, promote the sustainable development of the city. With the help of the national and international experts, the advanced technology through the project. Jinan city will verify the underground water structure of Jinan Spring area, formulate a plan of spout of the spring throughout the year in order to bring about its objective. Formulate a plan of protection and construction of the spring site so as to increase the attraction of the city, integrate the management of water resources to promote the sustainable development of the city.