Aerial photo of Kangli Avenue linking Qingpu District of Shanghai and Wujiang District of Suzhou City (CFP Photo)

The State Council has recently approved a territorial-space plan to 2035 in the pilot area of eco-friendly and integrated development in the Yangtze River Delta.

The pilot area, covering 2,413 sq km, includes Qingpu District of Shanghai, Wujiang District of Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, and Jiashan County of Jiaxing City, Zhejiang Province. The area will promote coordinated spatial governance across the administrative borders, unify environmental emission standards, and ensure the sewage collection and treatment in towns to 100%.

Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang will focus on infrastructure interconnection, joint construction and shared use of important public service facilities, and optimization of the spatial layout of high-grade facilities.

Based on the characteristics of Jiangnan water landscape, the demonstration area will pursue sustainable development, build green and low-carbon neighborhoods, and facilitate innovation-driven industrial development.

By 2035, the surface freshwater ratio of rivers and lakes should rise to 20.6%, the forest coverage rate will be greater than 12%, and the proportion of green travel will be increased to 80%, according to the plan.

The pilot area will improve land utilization while protecting arable land, environment, and natural and cultural heritage.

The total area of construction land will be set within 803.6 sq km by 2035, which is 15.7 sq km less than the current figure.