The Water City Gate of Qingpu New City. [Photo/Qingpu district government]

Qingpu New City, one of the five new cities that Shanghai is pushing to develop in its outlying areas, has played up its dense water network as a key element to foster the city's economic development, according to the local government of Qingpu district, where the Qingpu New City is located.

During a press conference on June 3, Li Zheng, deputy director of the Bureau of Planning and Natural Resources of Qingpu District, said that Qingpu, a district boasts the densest water networks in Shanghai, is set to develop the Qingpu New City into a modern and charming water town featuring innovation industries.

The district's urban planning authority expressed their commitment to the principle of "building a city around water", with a primary focus on constructing a 21-kilometer-long circular water system.

Urban renewal, riverbank connectivity, and returning water to the people are the essential principles behind the construction of the city's surrounding water system, best illustrated by the ongoing construction of the district's Ring Water Park.

The park, built along the district's main artery, will feature 43 kilometers of waterfront space surrounded by 200 hectares of green and open space. While the whole park is expected to complete construction by the end of 2025, its initial phase, which features 14 kilometers of waterfront, has already opened to the public and become a favorite relaxation and exercise destination, according to the local authorities.

An aerial view of Qingpu New City at sunset. [Photo/Qingpu district government]

Other highlights of the district's urban upgrade project include Innovation Island, located within the new city's Shangda Central Park; and Jiangnan Xintianti, which leveraged the history and tourism resources of Qingpu old town to create a cultural and artistic hub. Once completed, these two major projects are set to become key demonstration zones in Qingpu New City.

"Through the two demonstration zones, we hope to set Qingpu New City apart from the other four new cities in Shanghai," Li said.

Shanghai launched the plan to develop five new cities in its outlying areas as part of the city's effort to accelerate economic growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) period.

The five new cities are located in the city's five suburban areas, namely Jiading, Qingpu, Songjiang, Fengxian and Nanhui.