Metropolis aims to double its parks by 2036

Following the milestone achievement of being China's first city with 1,000 parks, Shanghai authorities have announced an ambitious expansion plan to construct 100 new parks this year and 1,000 more over the next decade.

The initiative aims to bring the city's total to over 2,000 by 2036, ensuring that residents in this high-density metropolis of 25 million have greenery at their windows and parks at their doors.

Residents have praised this initiative as a reflection of the city's commitment to integrating ecological beauty and community comfort into urban planning.

Parks are an essential element in urban ecology, contributing to the city's resilience by cooling and humidifying the air, purifying pollutants, reducing noise and managing stormwater.

During the 2022 renovation of Peace Park in Hongkou district, an additional 8,700 cubic meters of temporary storage space were created to absorb and filter rainwater from the surrounding area of approximately 36 hectares, which exceeds the area's total drainage capacity.

Parks also serve as connectors for fragmented habitats. Chinese water deer have reappeared in parks in Pudong New Area and on Chongming Island in the past few years, demonstrating the ecological benefits of such green spaces.

The Shanghai Landscaping and City Appearance Administrative Bureau said that in Shanghai, where land resources are scarce, expanding urban areas to create more public spaces is not feasible. Under the dual pressures of space and cost, tapping into existing potential has become a core strategy for a new wave of park construction.

Over the past few years, the city has developed replicable strategies for expanding green spaces, with several high-quality parks serving as models for improving public well-being. As of last year, all 36 parks planned along the city's Outer Ring Road had been completed. In addition to another 14 that were previously put into operation, they form a continuous ecological corridor across the city.

A notable example among them is the Xuhui West Bank Nature Art Park, which opened in August as Shanghai's 1,000th park. It used to be a 100-meter-wide greenbelt along the Outer Ring Road, serving as a buffer between urban and suburban areas.

Today, spanning roughly 300,000 square meters, which is equivalent to the size of more than 40 standard soccer fields, the park features sunflower fields, native vegetation, playgrounds, amenities like vending machines and accessible restrooms. It continues to serve its ecological isolation function, but has also become a popular leisure and recreational destination for residents and families.

"It was once a dense forest here that we could only look at from a distance. Now, it's a place where we can stroll and enjoy flowers anytime. I can't help but marvel at the full sense of happiness in our current lives," said 65-year-old Zuo Shuhua, a retired teacher who has lived nearby for over two decades.

To maximize existing resources, Shanghai opened 187 plots of green spaces formerly belonging to government agencies and public service units to the public by last year. The Minhang district government office complex removed its walls and barriers, transforming around 2,900 sq m of auxiliary green space into a garden that is now open to the public around the clock.

In addition to tapping into existing resources, the construction of pocket parks has made green spaces easily accessible right at residents' doorsteps. Shanghai plans to build or renovate 40 pocket parks within this year.

One such pocket park built in recent years is located in Xuhui district near Shanghai Stadium. Transformed from a once-neglected area, it now provides a convenient passage from the residential area to the metro station, reducing a detour of over 10 minutes to just a two-minute walk through the park. It also features flower shops and leisure seating areas, making it a recreational haven for the elderly and children.

Residents have expressed their hopes that parks can have designated areas for pets, allowing pet owners to comfortably and happily visit the parks with their furry friends.