Shanghai has made marked improvements to its overall environment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), with the average per capita park green space increasing by 1 square meter, according to the Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau.

Forest coverage in the city has risen to 19.5 percent, up from 18.49 percent, while average per capita park green space has expanded to 9.5 square meters, compared with 8.5 square meters at the end of the previous five-year plan.

The number of parks in the city now exceeds 1,000, complemented by the construction of 1,040 kilometers of new greenways.

Shanghai aims to further expand urban green spaces through a new phase of park development， increasing the average park area per capita to 10.5 square meters by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

At present, Shanghai has about 1,100 parks of various types. Recent additions include the opening of parks such as the Shanghai Expo Culture Park.

The city has also consolidated forestry and wetland resources, developing a plan for woodland space from 2026 to 2035 that is integrated into the land use planning system. This plan sets overall goals and spatial layout for future woodland construction, focusing on creating forests and increasing greenery along the ecological network around the city and key ecological corridors.

Progress has also been made in waste management. Since the implementation of the Shanghai Household Waste Management Regulation in 2019, the volume of dry waste transported has fallen by 13.5 percent, while the amounts of recyclables, hazardous waste and wet waste collected have increased significantly.

In parallel, Shanghai has continued to enhance its urban appearance. The city has built 875 "beautiful blocks" and optimized more than 30,900 public space rest seats. It has also standardized outdoor stalls to boost market vitality, successfully hosting two Shanghai International Light Festivals.

Source: Shanghai Observer