Pudong mulls cableways over Huangpu River

PUDONG has pictured a vibrant riverfront view where cableways glide above heads and cruise ships sail on the Huangpu River, whisking people to the parks, cultural heritages and commercial complexes on the banks.

The new area yesterday released the 14th Five-Year Plan for the development along the Huangpu River, aiming to create a world-class riverfront.

“We will return the best of the riverside areas to the public,” said Ge Haihu, deputy director of Pudong’s riverside development office. “We will liven up the areas and turn it into a world-class meeting room.”

Under the plan, in the following five years, Pudong will open up 7.3 kilometers of Huangpu riverside to the public, in addition to the current 22km section between Yangpu and Xupu bridges.

Besides, 470 hectares of greenery and public spaces, 278,000 square meters of public infrastructure and 3.21 million sqm of commercial structures will be built. Nearly 150,000sqm of historic industrial heritage sites will be renovated.

To create traffic convenience and add some fun to visitors, Pudong plans to build cruise terminals on Minsheng Road, the former Expo site, Qiantan area and other sites.

Also, it is considering building cableways above the river.

According to Ge, a cluster of old factories, such as Yaohua Glass Factory and No. 8 Xiepu Road in the Minsheng Wharf will be granted a new lease of life.

They will retain the historical flavor to showcase the distinctive past as well as add new functions to meet aesthetic demands.

Notably, runway shows, new product releases and other trendy interactive events will be held to boost the business environment, he said.

The riverfront areas between the Yaohua community and the former site of the 2010 World Expo will be developed to play the role of international cultural communications with its Expo Culture Park, Shanghai Grand Opera House and Shanghai Juss International Equestrian Center, Ge said.