Hongkou to set up shipping, commercial and innovation zones

Hongkou District will launch a batch of revamping and construction projects to develop the main residential district in downtown into three "functional zones" — covering shipping, commerce and innovation.

These comprise a finance and shipping industry zone in the south, a tourism and commercial zone in the center of the district, and a scientific innovation zone in the north, the district government announced.

Hongkou is featured by a number of traditional residential communities built around the 1970s, as well as early industrial and shipping sites along Huangpu River, and historic streets where celebrities once lived.

According to the new plan, the southern zone covers four square kilometers near the North Bund area along the river. It aims to attract global shipping enterprises to set up their headquarters in the riverside region.

The area will also feature a batch of preserved historic neighborhood along Zhoushan Road, where thousands of Jewish refugees once took refuge before and during World War II.

Some 1.9 million square meters of commercial facilities will be built in the southern part, including several landmark sites such as the 320-meter-high Magnolia Square on East Changzhi Road, which will be the tallest building in Puxi.

The central zone will mainly focus on the areas around Hongkou Football Stadium and the Sichuan Road N. commercial street to become tourism and shopping attractions.

As major projects to relieve congestion in the central region, Hailun Road will be expanded, while Quyang Road will be extended from Siping Road to Linping Road. 

The northern zone will feature a batch of new "Silicon Lanes" — scientific zones within the traditional lane-style residential communities.

A batch of innovative parks and research centers will be set up in the north.

About 700,000 square meters of innovative parkland will be created out of former industrial sites and plants, according to the district.