Construction of Jiading New City recently broke ground in northwest Shanghai with the start of a new 164,000-square-meter real estate project. It is the third medium-size city the municipal government has approved to be built in the suburban area.

"These medium-size cities will serve to reduce the huge gap between the developed urban areas and the uncultured countryside, according to the city's new development plan," said Su Ping, the Shanghai Agricultural Commission's township division director.

"Meanwhile, the cities can also help divert more people to the suburbs with the support of pillar industries."

According to the municipal government's plan, 11 medium-size cities and 22 satellite towns will be built by 2020.

Currently, 10 pilot cities and towns are under construction.

Jiading New City is planned to cover an area of 168 square kilometers and the population is expected to reach 1 million after more than 10 years of development.

Currently, Songjiang New City in the southwest and Lingang New City near the Yangshan deep water port have already started construction.

The first phase of the Jiading construction will focus on a 100-square-kilometer area, from the eastern border of Jiading and Baoshan districts to western Jiasong Road and northern Baoqian Road to the southern Yunzaobang River.

"Because the city's auto manufacturing base is located in Jiading, auto-related industries will surely become the backbone of the new city's economy," said District Governor Jin Jianzhong.

"We aim to build a modern city specializing in racing culture and the most ideal place for investment, business and living."

To date, some 10 billion yuan (US$1.2 billion) has been spent in building the International Auto City.

Elsewhere, the Auto Parts Industrial Zone has attracted more than 25 billion yuan (US$ 3.02 billion) in investment. In addition, construction of the Formula One autodrome is nearing completion and will host its first F1 race on September 26 next year.

In all, the new city will be divided into four parts, according to the blueprint. The southern part will combine a modern residential area and a high-tech industrial area. The middle part will mainly develop the service sector in trade, tourism and entertainment. The northern part will be a residential area for those who work in the Jiading Industrial Zone.

Around the district will be a forested area with parks, public activity centers and villas for vacationers.

Urban planning experts said the new cities all have such common characteristics as powerful pillar industries, a convenient environment, low-density housing and good public facilities.

(eastday.com December 29, 2003)