-- Growing green spaces in Shanghai are open to visitors of the 2010 World Expo

With the approach of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo, construction on the Expo Park has gone into full swing. The project is intended not only for the imminent Expo, but also for the use of Shanghai residents in the future to accentuate a more pleasant living environment.

A resonating green symphony

The 2010 Expo Park is located in the Pudong Area, the site adjacent to where the Expo pavilions reside. The park-measuring 2 km long and 200 meters wide on average-is planned in an area of 29 hectares near the Huangpu River. Given full view of the river, the park was constructed on rising terrain and is shaped like a gently spreading Chinese folding fan. With leisure, entertainment, and sightseeing complexes incorporated into one green space, "ribs" of the fan are lined by overlapping short bushes and high trees to provide maximum shade for visitors. Artificial lakes and streams running along the sloping green will be created and take advantage of nearby water resources.

"The ground level on one side will be elevated by eight meters, thus creating an enormous wall of green and forming a natural setting for a grandstand to watch performances," said Niek Roozen, Chief Designer of NITA Group, whose company joined the construction of the Expo Park Project in partnership with the Expo's Organizing Committee. "The other side slopes gently down toward the water, overlooking the historic harbor relics of the river."

When asked about the selection of the park site, Zhang Lang, assistant Chief Engineer of Shanghai Landscaping Bureau attributed the decision to a wetland reserve found in the area. "It will be good for water conservation," he explained.

Zhang also said that environmental-friendly technologies, such as rainwater recycling will be used, as well as other advanced methods for flood prevention and ecological protection.

For such a huge project, the earlier it begins, the better it will be, said Zhao Keping, General Manager of the Shanghai Expo Land Holding Co. Ltd, which constructed the park.

The greening of the Expo Park is expected to be completed in the first half of 2008. Under this schedule, the renovation of the former harbor, and construction of flood-prevention walls, sculptures, buildings, and main venue will be completed on time. Under the principle of "hosting the Expo in a cost-effective manner," Zhao, along with his team, endeavors to save every expense and to guarantee its quality. Zhao illustrated that, when the old buildings in the area were demolished, the "waste" earth was not moved out, but used for the new project. The recycled material will form an earthwork of 600,000 cubic meters.

Better city, better life

An urban life often means the rare enjoyment of green open spaces. However, dotting the map of Shanghai, an astonishing 125 parks covering a total land of 1,207 hectares can be found, so far.
Stimulated by the hosting of the 2010 World Expo, the Municipal Government's enthusiasm for the improvement of the urban landscape and overall environment is high. With a noticeable increase in the number of public green spaces, per capital green land reached an all-new high at 11.5 square meters by the end of 2006.

In the eyes of Niek Roozen, the first World Expo to be held in Shanghai expects to draw 400,000 to 800,000 visitors per day, and aims to attract the largest number of visitors in the World Expo history.

"It will be a steaming pressure cooker full of impressions, architectural creations from around the world," Roozen said. "And when the time comes to escape the heat and take a break, Expo Park along the Huangpu River will be a peaceful oasis in the middle of it all," he added.

As a matter of fact, the number of such peaceful places in the Shanghai metropolisis is growing in terms of both area and accessibility. It is estimated that 54 percent of Shanghai's city parks charge no admission fees. For example, in Zhongshan Park, the walls surrounding it were torn down, and a stretch of fence was moved back for free public access.

The boost in green space construction in the city adds fresh elements to urban life with a return to nature, improves people's living conditions, and helps them lead more healthy lives. Shanghai's openness to the world now is not only confined to financial prosperity, but also displayed by the flourishing and growing green spaces.

(Beijing Review July 30, 2007)