60 Years of Beijing: Urban Plan & Construction Exhibition opened on the morning of September 29. The exhibition is jointly sponsored by Beijing Planning Committee and Beijing Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and organized by National Stadium Co., Ltd., Urban Planning Society of Beijing and Beijing Construction Association. The exhibition gives a full demonstration of the thorough implementation of the scientific outlook on development in Beijing, as well as major measures taken to achieve the goal of “Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People’s Olympics” in the fields of urban planning, architecture design, construction and management. As a record of the splendid achievements made in urban planning and construction since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, this exhibition is considered as a gift to the 60th birthday of the country by all the people who have devoted themselves in the construction of the capital.

Highlighting the theme of “60 Years of Brilliant Beijing”, the exhibition was composed of three sections, namely city-planning, city-infrastructure, and city-construction, including 14 sub-sections such as urban planning, protection of the historical and cultural city and public architectural complex. The exhibition is professional in form but intended for ordinary people. The items on display are the witnesses of the 60-year planning, construction and development of the city since the founding of China. Multimedia demonstrations, models, sculptures and display walls are deployed to give a diverse and vivid rendering of the exhibition, which integrates itself into the environment of the Bird’s Nest. The exhibition combines dynamic demonstrations with static displays, and single buildings with complex architectures. Items on show embody the idea of environment-oriented adaptation, the application of advanced science and technology and the feature of flexible and varied design.

Files, photos and sand tables on show are the testaments of the unforgettable and eventful years of city construction, planning as well as great achievements since 1949. In particular, it exhibits the development history of Beijing after the reform and opening up, and the glory course of the explorative and innovative development of the capital of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

The exhibition speaks volume for the great achievements made in the capital construction. It is an outcome attained under the kind care and guidance of leaders of the country, the strong leadership of CPC Central Committee, Beijing Municipal Committee and the government of Beijing, as well as great supports from relevant departments nationwide. It is also the result of the unremitting efforts made by the city designers, constructors and the vast number of citizens through exploration, innovation, combining historical legacy with new trends. In the past 60 years, the urban planning and construction of Beijing has made a great leap forward in terms of guidelines, design, technology, management, etc., which leads the capital from a dilapidated condition at the early stage of the founding of the country to a brilliant Olympic city. The general planning of Beijing was advanced from the industry-dominated planning in 1954 to urban planning through scientific approach in 2004. The focus of design was shifted from iconic public architecture in different periods to the improvement of the comprehensive function of the city. Besides, more attention has been paid to the coordination of urban and rural development.

Through 60 years of relentless efforts and huge progress, we have accumulated precious experience and have more confidence in moving forward. The large number of constructors, under the guideline of “Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People’s Olympics” set by Beijing Municipal Committee and the government of Beijing, will continue to make concerted efforts and groundbreaking achievements for a prosperous, civilized, harmonious, people-friendly city in the future.

As one of the major activities held in the Bird’s Nest in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the exhibition is expected to welcome visitors from all walks of life in the city.