New YRD water town takes shape

Construction of the central part of a water town that has segments situated in Shanghai and the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu commenced on Wednesday, marking another milestone in the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region.

The 35.8-square-kilometer water town will serve as a demonstration plot for the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta area. The central area of the town will feature a courtyard decorated with cultural elements of the three places.

"The development of the water town represents a significant step in the long-term planning of the region from the perspective of land and spatial planning," said Duan Jin, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the director of the institute of urban space studies at China Southeast University.

The water town project, which was approved by the State Council in February, is expected to facilitate the coordinated development of economy, culture, and tourism in these four areas.

Chen Leyang contributed to the story.