The "tallest building in the vicinity of the West Lake" in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, will be a test case in urban planning and management, says an article in Yanzhao Metropolis Daily. The following is an excerpt:

A 72-m-tall building belonging to Zhejiang University, which used to be the tallest building, was demolished in January. Last week the municipal bureau of urban planning revealed that the new owner of the plot is to construct an 85-m-tall hotel there.

The plan has aroused much controversy, as did the demolition of the old building. People questioned the short life of modern buildings and their architectural designs.

Now the planning of an even taller building is being seen as a joke as the previous one was said to have ruined the skyline around the West Lake. The rationality of demolishing the previous building is being questioned.

The 70 m is the maximum height for structures near the West Lake area. The State Council requires Hangzhou to protect its urban sights, and maintain the basic layout of the old city. It forbids the building or expanding of constructions that may affect the West Lake's scenic views and strictly controls the height, size, shape and color of buildings in an effort to maintain the city's traditional characteristics. Obviously an 85-m-tall hotel does not meet these requirements.