Construction has begun on the Zhenru Subcenter in Putuo District, which will feature skyscrapers, commercial hubs and the largest downtown greenbelt.

The project is among the 33 key construction works which were launched on Friday in the northwest downtown, with a total budget of more than 20 billion yuan (US$3.1 billion).

They include infrastructure, new parks, schools, shopping complexes and nursing homes, along with housing renovation, which are aimed at improving the quality of people’s lives.

The Zhenru Subcenter is the fourth in the city after Xujiahui in Xuhui District, Wujiaochang in Yangpu District and Huamu in the Pudong New Area.

It will cover 6.2 square kilometers, based around the West Railway Station and expressways connecting with the Yangtze River Delta region. The transport hub at the station handles over 40,000 passengers daily.

Construction started on Friday on the Zhenrujing project, a key commercial complex in the core region of the subcenter.

The project is being built above the Zhenru Station of Metro Lines 11 and 14. The complex includes business facilities covering 300,000 square meters, shopping malls and a theater covering a total of 150,000 square meters as well as residential communities and greenbelt.

The project will become a comprehensive complex dubbed “the greatsquare kilometer,” according to the district government.

Construction also started on the additional part of the Taopu Central Greenbelt, the largest downtown public greenbelt. It will cover a million square meters upon its completion. Part of the site has been opened, covering half of the planned size, on a trial operation, featuring natural landscape and its long industrial heritage.