Shanghai broke ground Friday to build a large area of greenspace in the downtown area along with a large artificial lake, which starts an annual campaign to cover the congested city with more trees, grass and various other plants.
According to the municipal plan, the city will add 800 hectares more greenspace this year, at a rate of approximately three football fields daily.
By then, Shanghai, which has lots of shabby houses, drab warehouses and sprawling roads, will have 22 percent of its urban areas covered with greenery.
More and more Chinese cities are beginning to revamp themselves with large patches of greenspace. Grass and trees also improves the air quality as well, they believe.
Shanghai hit a historical high last year by adding another 820 hectares of greenspace.
(People's Daily 01/08/2001)
