42km of Shanghai waterfront to be made walkways

ABOUT 42 kilometers of the Suzhou Creek waterfront in Shanghai will be converted into walkways as city planners work to make more room for pedestrians.

The whole project — 21km each on both sides of the creek — is expected to be completed by 2020, the head of Shanghai’s urban planning body said yesterday.

Work on 26km has been completed, while there are hurdles to be cleared in the remaining sections, Xu Yisong, director of the Shanghai Planning, Land and Resources Administration told a forum marking the World Cities Day.

The authorities will remove the 64 structures, belonging to companies or residential communities, which are blocking the passage.

Vehicular traffic on Beisuzhouhe, Nansuzhouhe and Guangfu roads might also be restricted, Xu said. On completion, residents will be able to enjoy a quiet stroll by the creek.

The 125km Suzhou Creek, which flows from Qingpu District to the Waibaidu Bridge, is the biggest tributary of the Huangpu River. The waterfront is being developed into a multifunctional and dynamic zone to reflect humanities, culture and ecological environment.

“The Suzhou Creek is known for its narrow waterway, extended bay areas, bridges, riverside buildings and roads. These features will be highlighted during the planning of the waterfront,” said Wu Panfeng, director of planning with the administration.

Xu said the creek will highlight the local lifestyle with focus on the daily life of people.

A section of the creek in downtown Jing’an, for instance, will feature lane-style residential communities, museums and riverside parks that will help visitors to learn about the cultures and history of the city.

Themed boat rides will be developed and seven docks will be built for the purpose, Xu said. Boat services on the creek was stopped for a year in 2011-12 for dredging and it was started in April 2010, but it did not prove popular. Dragon boat and canoe races will be held regularly to popularize the neighborhood, Xu said.

The city’s master plan for 2035 states that the waterfronts of Suzhou Creek and Huangpu River will be transformed to be on par like the riverbanks in Paris and Chicago.

“Rivers are the fluid history and soul of the cities and have given distinctive qualities to them,” Xu said. “Shanghai was born and developed with the river and creek. It will become an area of excellence with the riverside developments.”