Urban spaces revitalized in Pingdu city of Qingdao

China Daily2023-09-15 15:34

　　Pingdu, a city under the administration of Qingdao in Shandong province, has intensified its efforts to enhance urban construction and ecological development, aiming to create a more conducive living environment for local residents.

　　In the past three years, Pingdu has launched a series of major initiatives to improve urban development and construction. With a focus on enhanced urban planning, construction and governance, the city has made significant progress in seven areas including urban renewal and the transformation of old towns and villages, improvement of the city's transportation infrastructure, municipal facilities and the construction of a park-like city.

　　"In recent years, not only have there been more small parks, but several large comprehensive parks have been built. There are an increasing number of places for leisurely walks in the evenings and weekends, and the entertainment facilities are also well-equipped. It's a great place for both taking the kids out and having a leisurely time," said a resident surnamed Zhang who lives in Fengtai subdistrict of Pingdu.

　　In the past few years, Pingdu has been adding more pocket parks and greenways to the city. Unique elements of the city such as Red culture, industrial culture and folk customs were integrated into the design of parks and greenways.

　　So far, more than 14.3 kilometers of greenways and more than 20 pocket parks have been created, increasing the city's green space by more than 30,000 square meters.

　　In line with a people-oriented philosophy, Pingdu has made efforts to improve park infrastructure. For instance, a children's playground has been established in Changguang Lake, filling the gap in facilities suitable for children. This citywide transformation has turned the traditional green space of parks into vibrant recreational and entertainment hubs.

　　Pingdu, known for its 14.4 km of pristine rivers like the Laoxian River, Weishan River and Xiushui River, has also leveraged its natural resources to enrich the living environment of its residents. The city has developed recreational spaces, cultural hubs and sports facilities along the riverbanks. A comprehensive landscape belt has been constructed along the riverbanks of Pingdu, seamlessly integrating ecology, culture, leisure and services. The belt aims to cater to the demand of local residents for entertainment, fitness and relaxation, and is constantly evolving to meet their needs, according to the local government.

　　Pingdu has implemented the construction of 11 public parking lots, providing more than 8,000 parking spaces to alleviate the problem of car parking. A total of 68 km of roads have been built or renovated to ensure more convenient travel for residents. Moreover, the city has added 60 km of town sewage, gas and water networks.

　　Meanwhile, the Weifang-Yantai High-speed Rail project, Mingcun-Dongjiakou Expressway project and the Shenyang-Haikou Expressway expansion project have been accelerated, aiming to build a one-hour living circle connecting Jinan, Qingdao, Weihai, Yantai and Weifang. It is hoped this will inject vitality into the economy.

　　The city is also making every effort to attract investment projects that can support the long-term, quality and sustainable development of Pingdu. The construction of projects such as the Guanghui City Business Center and Jiaodongwang Culture and Business City are underway.

　　Pingdu has been making efforts to enhance urban construction and ecological development to create a better living environment for local residents. CHINA DAILY