Based on the principle of ecological footprint

the ecological footprint and ecological safety of Xianyang City from 1999 to 2006 were quantitatively analyzed. Results showed that the ecological footprint per capita gradually increased year by year

the ecological capacity per capita gradually decreased

the ecolo gical deficit per capita and ecological tension continuously increased

and the social economic development was not coordinated with ecological environment

which indicate that the development of the city is not sustainable and its ecological environment is not safe. Though the ecological footprint of 10 thousands Yuan GDP had a dropping tendency

it was still greater than the averaged national level in 1999，which shows that the resource use of the city was still an resource exhausting and extensive management pattern. Finally

by considBring these facts

some available ways for the sustainable development of Xianyang City were brought up.