Pilot project in Shanghai's 'sponge city' ecosystem to open in June

Luchaogang Park, a pilot project of Shanghai's "sponge city" ecosystem, will open in June in Lingang Area.

According to the Shanghai Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the park will be a community garden with a small amusement park.

The park is shaped in a triangle, covering more than 90,000 square meters. To its west and east are the Suitanghe and Renmintang rivers.

The park is shaped in a triangle, covering more than 90,000 square meters. /Shanghai Daily Photo

There will be an exercise area, a children's zone, a waterfront jogging lane and plenty of planted areas.

One of the main missions is to protect native water plants in the rivers.

As its name implies, sponge city absorbs rainwater like a sponge which is then filtered by the soil and allowed to reach aquifers. This water can be easily treated and used for the city water supply.

More than 75 percent of the roads and paths in the park will be permeable. Rainwater will be absorbed by the grass and ponds in the park instead of going directly to the municipal pipelines. Some of the water collected will be reused to water the plants.

Meanwhile, vertical gardens will hang on the facade of the parking lot, cultural hall and the stadium.

(CGTN)