Ecology, greenery zone plans open for public comment

A draft plan for the Yangtze River Delta Ecology and Greenery Integration Demonstration Zone was revealed on Thursday to solicit public opinions. According to the draft, the zone will focus on ecological and green concepts, high-quality development, integration and diversity.

The zone covering 2,413 square kilometers includes Qingpu District in Shanghai, Wujiang District in Jiangsu Province and Jiashan County in Zhejiang Province. Five towns, namely Jinze, Zhujiajiao, Lili, Xitang and Yaozhuang, covering 660 square kilometers will be the initiating zone, according to the plan.

"The demonstration zone will be turned into a new height of green and innovative development, a pilot zone of integration system innovation and a new model for the harmonious coexistance of man and nature and livability," said Xiong Jian, deputy director of the Yangtze River Delta Region Integrated Development Space Planning Team of the Shanghai Planning and Natural Resources Bureau and Party secretary of Shanghai Urban Planning and Design Research Institute.

The percentage of land used for construction in the zone will be controled at 32 percent, and the remaining 68 percent will be water and greenery space, the plan states.

"Ecology and green development is the priority," said Xiong. "Water and greenery areas inside the zone will be expanded and the impact of development and construction on the ecological environment will be minimized with the application of new methods and new technologies."

Water environment treatment programs will be implemented and the target is for all water to meet standards in water function zones, according to the plan.

Forest coverage in the zone will reach 12 percent, and the forest landscape will be enriched. The space of arable land in the zone will be kept no less than 900,000 mu (13,432 hectares), according to the plan.

Agricultural pollution prevention and treatment will be strengthened and green and ecological agriculture will be promoted, the plan states.

High-standard farm land in the zone will account for over 90 percent of the total, according to the plan.

New economies with global influence — like digital economy, innovative economy, headquarters economy, service economy and lake zone economy — will be developed, and support for university-enterprise cooperation will be enhanced to attract high-level universities and institutes in the Yangtze River Delta region to set up branches in the zone, according to the plan.

Industry-education-research platforms such as incubation bases, training bases and talent exchange centers will be encouraged, according to the plan.

The Hongqiao Business District will be turned into a new platform for international trade, and the Dianshan Lake ring area will become an area featuring integrated development of ecology, innovation and culture, embodying water town culture and ecological and green concepts, according to the plan.

An eco-friendly innovative industry cluster will be developed based on the Shanghai-Nanjing, Shanghai-Hangzhou, Shanghai-Huzhou and Nantong-Suzhou-Jiaxing-Ningbo development belts, according to the plan.

The connection of towns, communities and villages in the zone will be enhanced, and the transport network in the zone will be improved, according to the plan.

The zone has seven national-level historical and cultural towns and 16 provincial-level historical and cultural conservation zones.

The plan stresses enhanced protection of historical and cultural heritage and their proper use, said Xiong.

Three historical and cultural belts relying on Jiangnan canals, water towns and traditional history and culture will be created, and a protection system covering spots such as 24 historical villages, 14 historical and cultural blocks, 249 historical and cultural sites and 79 river courses in the zone will be built up, the plan states.

"A green, efficient and diversified transport system will be built up," said Xiong.

The aim is convenient Metro transfer with different public transport and 45 minutes' reach to the Shanghai Hongqiao transport hub and 90 minutes to the Shanghai Pudong International Airport in the zone.

The plan also includes a 15-minute walking circle accessible to community public service facilities such as education, health, culture, sports and senior care in the zone, and at least 2.5 museums, four libraries, four performance venues and seven art galleries per 100,000 people.

The zone was established in November last year.

The plan is available on the websites of nature resource authorities in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, and public venues such as planning exhibition halls in Qingpu District in Shanghai, Wujiang District in Jiangsu Province and Jiashan County in Zhejiang Province, and location of the zone's executive committee at 66 Shajiadai Road in Qingpu through July 17.

The public can forward opinions to shifanqu2035@163.com, or call 021-61982192 or 021-61982112 between 10am and 11:30am, 1:30pm and 4pm on working days.

The plan will be submitted to the State Council for approval.