A LARGE, landscaped belt has been planned along Shenzhen’s central axis, to help extend the city’s central area to the north and south, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.

The belt will also serve to represent the city’s internationalization and modernization in the future, the Daily report said.

The 25km landscaped belt, extending from the Shenzhen River in the south to Guanlan, Bao’an District, in the north, will open up the central business district (CBD) in Futian which is currently locked in by Binhe Road and Hongli Road, according to a design plan issued by the municipal urban planning bureau. Residents will be able to walk safely in the area, taking in views along the landscaped belt.

The landscaped area would not only become the most important traffic corridor in the city, but also help boost Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation, officials with the urban planning bureau said. “The CBD in Futian District is in the core of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong metropolis circle. The landscaped belt will play a crucial role in the creation of the ‘back of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong metropolis circle,’” said an unnamed official.

According to the design plan, the landscaped belt will be divided into five core areas including the CBD in Futian, the Meilin-Danaoke Hill section and a section taking in the Guanlan River. The length of each landscaped section will be about three kilometers.

The Metro Line 4 extension will be the major means of transport in the landscaped belt. Separate lanes for pedestrians and bicycle riders will be set up in the belt for the convenience of walkers.

Upon completion of the extension, residents will be able to enjoy the view from an elevated section in Longhua and Guanlan.

(Wang Yuanyuan)