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Subtitles by Tian Shengjie.
Two "fruit-themed spaces" under bridges on the riverbank of theSuzhou Creek in Changning District have been officially opened.
The creek's walking track in the district, around 11.2 kilometers long from Jiangsu Road N. to the Outer Ring Road, opened at the end of last year.
The construction of many supporting facilities and attached spaces is underway, said Wu Daoqun, vice deputy of the district’s construction committee.
Pan Jing, one of the designers, added: "We aim to turn the grey and wet 'negative space’ under the bridge to 'positive space’ with cheers and laughter".
A recreational facility for children in the lemon-themed space underKaixuan Road Bridge in Changning District.
The watermelon-themed public area under Gubei Road Bridge in Changning District.
Lemon and watermelon are the themes, together with soft light, under the bridges of Kaixuan Road and Gubei Road.
Yellow makes people feel dynamic so the area under the Kaixuan Road Bridge is mainly for children and families, Pan said. There is a children’s climbing wall, benches and a swing. The red-themed space under the Gubei Road Bridge has benches and a story wall about the creek.
Meanwhile, one of the three animal-themed spaces under the Middle Ring Overpass on Beidi Road near the creek was launched at the beginning of the year.
The pink flamingo-themed space under the Middle Ring Overpass on Beidi Road.
The 3,700-square-meter new space, with the theme of pink flamingo, has a basketball court, a gym and a viewing platform.
After scanning the QR code via social media WeChat for payment, people can use the court from 9am to 9pm every day.
“We collected the needs of the residents living nearby via hundreds of questionnaires before we make the plan,” said Mao Xiangjie, one of the designers.
“The light, patterns and color were confirmed after much deliberation and negotiation according to traffic, residents and beauty.”
The basketball court in the pink flamingo-themed space under the Middle Ring Overpass on Beidi Road.
A 78-year-old man, surnamed Jiang, told the Shanghai Daily he was surprised by the transformation.
“I have lived near Suzhou Creek since I was a child,” Jiang said. “The area was dirty with weeds, garages and even public urination so I didn’t like to visit here even if to just swing by.
“It is an eye-opener for me now, and it’s time to bring my wife here."
The construction of the other two spaces, themed as cheetah and zebra, with a sports service center, a basketball court and a baseball field, will be completed in June, Wu said.
An artist’s rendition of the cheetah-themed space under the Middle Ring Overpass on Beidi Road in Changning District.
An artist’s rendition of the zebra-themed space under the Middle Ring Overpass on Beidi Road in Changning District.
“The total area of the three spaces will be around 3.5 hectares,” Mao said. “Pocket parks in Shanghai, especially for the urban district where land is scarce and expensive, are necessary for the public.”
Wu added: “The public space, including a skate park on Linhong Road, Fengling park on Beidi Road and themed spaces under the bridge, and many other recreation areas under construction will be linked by the creek’s walking track to show the history of the creek and art with intelligent design".
The construction plan for the three animal-themed areas.
A wall painting in the lemon-themed space under the Kaixuan Road Bridge in Changning District.
A man cuts hair in the pink flamingo-themed space under the Middle Ring Overpass on Beidi Road.
The spiral staircase for the viewing platform in the pink flamingo-themed space under the Middle Ring Overpass on Beidi Road.
