Universities in Haidian district pose a slogan these days, thus to "break down their walls" They proposed this slogan in order to integrating with the surrounding communities, improve traffic and boost the district's high-tech development plans.

The new urban plan for the Zhongguancun area calls for greater access, opening up the often large areas that university campuses occupy to residents, and to high-tech companies looking for premises in the district.

At the same time, the district could be beautified, with easy access to the large green spaces now inside the walls. 
 
"US universities don't have walls," said deputy director Liang Sheng with Beijing Municipal Commission of Economy and Information Technology.

Speaking at a press conference Tuesday to introduce the Zhongguancun Science City Development Plan (2011-2015), Liang encouraged universities and institutes to remove some walls to make way for the construction of technology buildings and improve transportation, the Beijing Morning Post reported Wednesday".

The area will further develop as a science city, a world leading high-tech and research park, according to a press release Wednesday" on the website of Zhongguancun National Innovation Demonstration Zone.

The science city is located around Zhongguancun Dajie, Zhichun Lu and Xueyuan Lu, about 75 square kilometers, including 27 universities, 30 science research institutes and 25 technology research centers.

"The land use ratio in some universities is very low, but there are not enough technology buildings in the science city, and university walls also block local traffic circulation," Liang said.

He explained that the rewards would go both ways, as universities could get rent, while the tech enterprises could benefit from the talent pool. However, he also admitted in reality, the plan "might be a little difficult."

Sociology and transportation lecturer Zhu Tao from Beijing University of Technology says it may improve the traffic, but only in the short term.

"In the long run it won't help, and it's also not safe for students," he said, adding that the Zhongguancun area is completely different from some open universities in other countries, which are usually located in suburban areas.

Locals, students and university professionals gave a mixed response to the plans Wednesday".

"Sure, it would be convenient for residents around the campus if the walls or fences were taken down," said Wang Jie, who lives in Zhichun Lu.

"You wouldn't need to walk a long way round to find a gate to enter or bypass the campus to get to work," he said. But he added that except Peking University, all other universities were open to visitors for free, including the open-air playgrounds and gardens.

"The walls shouldn't be removed because of concerns about student's study and safety, which would bring in more cars and people. Anyway, the campus is a place for study," said a student surnamed Shi with Renmin University of China (RUC).

"Removing the walls is not a bad thing, but it depends on the different universities," said RUC teacher Xu Jin. He said RUC is a liberal arts university, so its students need contact with society at large, but Peking University should preserve a quiet study environment.

But Peking University sociology professor Xia Xueluan thought it would do students some good to break down the ivory towers and mix with the masses. 

"It'll be helpful for the universities to mix together with the surrounding communities," he said, "students should forget their concept of 'intellectual aristocrat' to share the common social culture and spirit."

"Removing the walls is more helpful for saving land resources and urban planning," Xia said, while noting campus security should be strengthened.

The Administrative Committee of Zhongguancun Science Park did not comment Wednesday".