Efforts to improve urban landscape results in happy residents

The improved urban landscape and facilities in Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone have won plaudits from residents.

The local government has spared no effort to work under the philosophy of highlighting every detail to modernize the urban image of the zone and improve the comfort and convenience for people to live and work over the past few years.

"There are so many changes, fast changes. The zone looks like many metropolises now," said Sun Yingying, a resident in the zone.

The zone, set up in 1991, has an area of 110 square kilometers and a population of about 300,000, according to official figures.

The changes to the city image include landscape design along the main streets, diversifying the flowers and plants in the zone and setting up landmarks at the exit and entrance of the zone.

For example, at the entrance and exit of the East Weifang section of the Qingdao to Yinchuan Expressway, a wall statue embedded with the Chinese logo of Weifang Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone catches the eye. It is inspired by the appearance of a circuit board, which showcases the high-tech function of the modern zone and serves as a landmark of the zone to visitors and travelers.

"I have been to many big cities in China but my hometown, Weifang, is still my favorite. It's getting more beautiful after a series of urban facelift measures," said Pan Jiaxin, a university graduate who chose to work there.

Small parks are another emphasis of the zone's landscape improvement efforts.

The high-tech zone's urban planning department has commissioned some domestically leading design companies to carry out research on green space and the public greenery area, said Zhao Jiankai, an official of the department.

Urban planners were pondering in what ways to turn some small spaces that were hidden in the corners of the high-tech zone into parks that the residents can spend leisure time in, he said.

The parks, despite being small, are unique with their own special characteristics, Zhao said.

The parks are equipped with footpaths, tables and stools for people to play chess and rest, different garden designs and architecture in fine taste, he added.

"The park is just several steps away from my home with a sports area, sports equipment and children's playgrounds," said Li Wanyi, a resident who was happy to find a new park close to his home on East Xincheng Road.

According to the urban planning department, the zone will turn more spaces into parks over the rest of the year, which includes installing new lighting equipment in some squares, increasing greenery and setting up more leisure and entertainment facilities.

Meanwhile, the zone is upgrading its exciting night markets to make them diversified to meet the needs of young consumers, including markets for food, shopping, bars and sightseeing.

To take care of outdoor workers, the government of the high-tech zone has built many sunshades, designated space for them to take a rest at supermarkets, shopping malls, restaurants and banks as well as increase the number of public toilets.

Given a car parking space shortage, the local government dispatched a special team to every corner of the zone to plan a number of free parking spaces.

To improve the efficiency of the urban management, the zone has been divided into many small residential areas, each of which has a person in charge.

"We patrol across the entire community twice, in the morning and in the afternoon each day, to ensure the safety and good order of the community," said Pan Haoqiang, who is responsible for a community in Xincheng subdistrict.

"We also encourage business operators and residents in our community to participate in urban management activities," he said.

chenhong@chinadaily.com.cn