The land planning and water resources authorities unveiled the Shenzhen Blue Line Plan on April 22, aimed at protecting the city's water resources.

      According to the plan, land near reservoirs, rivers and wetlands will be marked as "blue line" areas and development will be restricted there. The "blue line" areas will cover 250 square meters of land in total, accounting for 12.8 percent of the city's area.

      A total of 164 illegal buildings within the "blue line" areas, covering an area of 3.6 hectares, will be demolished.

      The government will also renovate or demolish legal constructions which hamper flood prevention efforts or adversely affect the quality of drinking water. The buildings' owners will be compensated.

      The plan prohibits any project that may harm the city's water resources, and also the construction of sewage and waste water discharge systems.

      Residents can log on to the land authorities' official Web site www.szplan.gov.cn to get details of the plan and voice their opinion.

      The city has implemented a five-color model for city management.

      Parks and urban greenery belts are included in "green line" areas, "blue lines" denote water resources, "purple lines" denote historically or culturally significant areas, "yellow lines" denote land to be used for transport facilities, and "orange lines" denote dangerous areas.