Space under bridges get makeover
TWO “fruit-themed spaces” under bridges on the riverbank of the Suzhou Creek in Changning District have been officially opened.
The creek’s walking track in the district, around 11.2 kilometers long from Jiangsu Road N. to the Outer Ring Road, opened at the end of last year.
The construction of many supporting facilities and attached spaces is under way, said Wu Daoqun, vice deputy of the district’s construction committee.
Pan Jing, one of the designers, added: “We aim to turn the grey and wet ‘negative space’ under the bridge into ‘positive space’ with cheers and laughter.”
Lemon and watermelon are the themes, together with soft light, under the bridges of Kaixuan Road and Gubei Road.
Yellow makes people feel dynamic so the area under the Kaixuan Road Bridge is mainly for children and families, Pan said. There is a children’s climbing wall, benches and a swing. The red-themed space
under the Gubei Road Bridge has benches and a story wall about the creek.
Meanwhile, one of the three animal-themed spaces under the Middle Ring Overpass on Beidi Road near the creek was launched at the beginning of the year.
The 3,700-square-meter new space, themed on pink flamingo, has a basketball court, a gym and a viewing platform.
After scanning the QR code via social media WeChat for payment, people can use the court from 9am to 9pm daily.
“We collected the needs of nearby residents via hundreds of questionnaires before planning,” said Mao Xiangjie, one of the designers. “The light, patterns and color were confirmed after much deliberation and negotiation based on traffic, residents and beauty.”
A 78-year-old man, surnamed Jiang, told the Shanghai Daily he was surprised by the transformation.
“I have lived near Suzhou Creek since I was a child,” Jiang said. “The area was dirty with weeds, garages and even public urination so I didn’t like to visit here even if to just swing by.
“It is an eye-opener for me now, and it’s time to bring my wife here,” he gushed.