A rendering of the Hongqiao International Open Hub. [Photo/Hongqiao International Central Business District Administrative Committee]
Shanghai's ambition to build an international open hub in the Hongqiao area has taken a big leap forward with the approval of a new plan for upgrading the Hongqiao International Central Business District.
The plan targets completing the construction of the Hongqiao International Open Hub by 2035, and building it into a gateway in advancing the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta and enhancing China's opening-up and competitive edge.
The Hongqiao International CBD, which lies in the core of the Hongqiao International Open Hub, now covers the Hongqiao main urban area and several subdistricts and towns of Changning, Minhang, Qingpu and Jiading districts. Under the new plan, it will expand from 151 square kilometers to involve 535 sq km, connecting with a broader range of surrounding areas in Putuo, Songjiang and other districts.
The plan also aims to improve connectivity between the Hongqiao International CBD, the central urban area and suburban new towns.
Major goal
The plan sets out to build the Hongqiao open hub into an exemplary future city, functioning as Shanghai's international gateway, an eco-friendly and low-carbon district, a dynamic center for technological innovation, and a highly connected transportation node.
The spatial framework features "one core, two axes, four zones, five belts, three wetlands and eight clusters".
One core: The core area of the Hongqiao International CBD, which will be developed into a hub for international resources and services.
Two axes:T The east-west gateway axis along the Yan'an Road-Songze Avenue and the north-south development axis along the Jiamin Elevated Road.
Four zones: The Fengqi Innovation Zone, the Yunlu Sci-Tech Innovation Zone, the Linkong Demonstration Zone and the Xumin Digital Intelligence Zone — designed to foster an international urban area and high-quality industrial clusters.
Five belts: Ecological belts along the Wusong River, the Dianpu River, the Youdungang Waterway, the Tongbotang River and the outer ring green belt.
Three wetlands: The Fengqi, Songze and Yunlu wetland areas that have the characteristics of water towns in Jiangnan region (Jiangnan refers to the southern regions of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River).
Eight clusters: Eight functional clusters of key industries, wetlands and other features.
Key improvements and infrastructure
The plan aims to improve spatial connectivity and the competitiveness of the Hongqiao International CBD by enhancing its core functions involving the Hongqiao Transportation Hub, the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) and the Suzhou Creek waterfront green heart, and by building the "T-shaped" ecological corridor and the "vitality ring + ecological ring".
In terms of industry, the plan strengthens the Wusong River-G2 Sci-Tech Innovation Corridor, the G50 Yangtze River Delta Digital Expressway and the G60 Sci-Tech Innovation Corridor, aiming to establish a sci-tech innovation center in west Shanghai.
In terms of transportation, the 600-meter coverage rate of rail transit stations will be increased to 35 percent, and a seamless integrated land-water transportation system will be built.
More affordable rental homes will be provided to optimize the jobs-housing balance.
Public services will be enhanced with high-quality educational, medical and cultural facilities in the core area and waterside of the Wusong River.
Core area upgrades
The core area of the Hongqiao International CBD, which has basically been completed, is known for its dense road network, small blocks, compact buildings and underground connectivity. The area will be further upgraded according to the new plan.
The plan highlights the development of a "one-kilometer golden axis" between the Hongqiao Transportation Hub, the core area of the CBD, and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).
This axis will feature four main sections:
The west transportation platform involving the Hongqiao Global Service Center, the AI Sci-Tech Innovation Community and other facilities.
The east-west central axis, with a three-layer pedestrian system comprising a 1,000-meter bridge.
The Beihengjing River show area with a square, a floating stage and other festival-friendly spaces.
The area east of the NECC (Shanghai), with corporate showrooms and event facilities to utilize the spillover effect of the China International Import Expo, or CIIE.
According to the plan, the four sections are expected to be operational during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).
Source: Wenhui Daily
