By staff reporter DENG SHULIN

PEOPLE returning to Beijing after a few years' absence marvel at how much the city has changed, and for old Beijingers, these changes have occurred daily, before their very eyes. According to the deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Planning Committee, Huang Yan, municipal planning of the capital started at the founding of the People's Republic, and a general development scenario matured during the 1950s and 60s. "The municipal construction achievements of today are attributable to municipal plans back then," says Ms. Huang.