An artist's rendering of Shanghai's Hongqiao International Central Business District and surrounding areas. [Photo/WeChat ID: hongqiaoshangwuqu]
Shanghai recently unveiled a comprehensive plan to promote the integrated development of the Hongqiao International Central Business District or CBD and its surrounding areas in a coordinated manner — aiming to make the zone a key international gateway.
The planned zone encompasses a total area of 535 square kilometers, centered around the 151-sq-km Hongqiao CBD. The focus is on improving connections between the CBD, Shanghai's central urban areas and suburban new towns to ensure coordinated growth and resource sharing.
It supports the broader goal of accelerating the construction of the Hongqiao International Open Hub, with the Hongqiao CBD at its core.
By 2035, the hub is expected to be fully completed, serving as a vital platform for promoting the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, enhancing China's openness to the world and strengthening new advantages in international competition and cooperation.
The plan outlines a spatial framework consisting of "one core, two axes, four zones, five green belts, three wetlands and eight industry clusters" — with each element set to balance economic development and ecological protection.
The core refers to the Hongqiao CBD's core area, designed to serve as an international resource allocation hub. Two axes run along Yan'an Road-Songze Avenue and Jiading-Minhang Elevated Road, forming east-west and north-south development corridors.
The four zones are the Fengqi Innovation Zone, Yunlu Sci-Tech Zone, Airport Economic Demonstration Zone and the Xumin Digital Economy Zone, combining high-quality industry clusters with international urban spaces.
The five ecological green belts are shaped along rivers and existing greenways, while the three wetlands highlight Jiangnan water town landscapes. Eight clusters will be formed around key industries and wetlands areas to balance development and ecological protection.
The plan emphasizes three integration strategies: Strengthening core functions, developing ecological corridors and linking urban areas through a dynamic loop of streets and a green ecological loop of parks and pathways.
Key sites include the Hongqiao transportation hub, the Suzhou Creek riverside green center and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).
Plans are for industrial and social development to strengthen innovation corridors such as the Wusongjiang-G2 Sci-Tech Corridor, the G50 Yangtze Delta Digital Corridor and the G60 Sci-Tech Corridor, linking them to the regional innovation network.
The plan targets 35 percent of the area being within 600 meters of a metro station.
More affordable rental housing will support young innovators, professionals, international residents and locals. Public services, including high-quality education, healthcare and cultural and sports facilities, will be expanded around the CBD core and Suzhou Creek waterfront to serve the wider delta region.
Core projects along the Hongqiao transportation hub — including the airport terminals and high-speed railway station, the CBD core area and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) Shanghai on a one-kilometer east-west axis — will shape four landmark areas.
They are the Hongqiao Green Hub as a gateway district, the Skywalk Corridor linking key facilities, the Waterfront Plaza for youth and cultural events and the Vibrant Qingzhou Zone extending the National Exhibition and Convention Center — making the CBD core an outward-looking and a vibrant international gateway.
Implementation will follow municipal guidance and the 15th (2026-30) and 16th (2031-35) Five-Year Plans.
Core projects have identified developers and are advancing towards construction, with operations expected during the 15th Five-Year period, enhancing functional integration, connectivity and the district's global identity.
