Suzhou Creek in Shanghai, China also called Wusong River, is in the process of rehabilitation. Historically, it was one of the city's most important water routes that had been polluted as time goes by. A multi-million-dollar plan will give birth to a new tourist destination in the city.
The canal area is now in plan of being dolled up into a lavish waterfront destination for visitors who wants to shop, stroll and have a good view of the aged river. The project was awarded to Sasaki Associates, the U.S.-based firm that also worked on Chicago's much-admired Riverwalk.
The Suzhou creek suffered from pollution and neglect; waste from surrounding factories dispensed directly into its waters and it had been inhabited by bacteria-causing-diseases like cholera, dysentery and typhoid. Its unpleasant smell also destroyed the image of the historic creek. The incredible journey of reviving its original view has been a battle of the city's concerned citizens.
The council in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank started the restoration of the creek in 1996. They built sewage treatment facilities and also de-clogged the area of barges and factories. The movement was successful, they have found some fishes swimming alive in the creek again.
The restoration continues up until today. Design planning is still in progress, according to Arch Daily, "The new design focuses on expanding the perceived waterfront of Shanghai into the urban blocks adjacent to the creek which will reclaim the space for public use, thereby creating an urban and cultural watershed delineated by the recreational waterfront edges and urban frontage. New mixed-use development will additionally strengthen connections with nearby destinations like Shanghai's contrary railway station and the M50 Arts District."
Additional statement was reported in The Guardian, as Michael Grove of Sasaki said that "All the historic structures will be preserved and reused, mainly for cultural purposes." Construction of new structures will be limited to vacant land or non-historic locations. The target year of materializing the plan is set on 2019, approximately three to four years it will be opened to the public.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
