Lujiazui, former World Expo 2010 site and Qiantan business district are set to become the core of Pudong, along with subcenters in Huamu, Jinqiao, Zhangjiang, Chuansha and Nanhui New Town, according to a general blueprint released yesterday for public comments.

Lujiazui, a financial hub, and Qiantan will retain their business and commercial functions while highlighting creativity, culture, entertainment, innovation, recreation and travel. Historical Chuansha will support the core centers.

Nanhui New Town, previously known as Lingang, will not only be a new urban center but also a key site on China’s coast.

An east-west urban development axis will begin at Century Avenue and run through Lujiazui, Zhangjiang science city, Pudong transport hub and Nanhui New Town.

The waterfront on the Huangpu River will become a riverside culture and business corridor.

A scientific and innovation corridor will span Shanghai’s pilot free trade zone and the scientific innovation center.

Its coastal areas will focus on integrated development of the Yangtze Delta Region and become international air and sea transport portals.

Plans have also been made for 11 rural towns to develop culture and innovation, tourism and recreation, health and business conventions.

Zhuqiao Town, for instance, plans to encompass aircraft manufacturing, civil aviation and recreation.

An eco-town will be developed in Huinan, supporting Pudong International Airport.

Xinchang Town, dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), will become a tourist and recreation destination.

Datuan Town, already the city’s agricultural center, will become the major supplier of green agricultural products for the city.

In spite of the plans, the district will protect ecological space and farmland.

Some 533 square kilometers of land has been ring-fenced to be spared from any development, along with over 200 square kilometers of farmland.

Pudong’s population will be kept under 5.6 million until 2020.

The blueprint is on the official website of Pudong (pudong.gov.cn)

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