A panoramic view of the greenway that runs along the shores of Dishui Lake [Photo/WeChat account: shlgguanweihui]

Clear water, fertile soil, a beautiful environment and efficient and very attractive policies have made the Lin-gang Special Area in East China's Shanghai something of an ideal place for people to live and work there – as well as to conduct businesses there.

Adding to the appeal, public parks and gardens have been established throughout the area.

Along Dishui Lake, there is an 80-meter-wide greenway, where residents can enjoy the jogging and cycling paths, water views, birdsong and flowers – as well as the 100 sculptures put up there, the work of famous Chinese artists.

Near the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, the public green space with a romantic name – Xing Kong Zhi Jing, or The Realm of Stars – is said to be the largest sponge park in Shanghai.

Not only does it have sponge city functions, but it is also full of green fields where people can pitch a tent and at night enjoy the twinkling stars.

Overall, Lin-gang is widely said to be maximizing eco-friendly concepts in the continued development  of the area.

In its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), Lin-gang proposes to become a park city, a sponge city, a no-waste city and a low-carbon city. It aims to be a well-governed area, focusing on its spatial layout and the improvement of the entire ecological system and the environment.

Plans are for it to carry out the comprehensive management of water, air, soil and solid waste – and to coordinate its water safety, environment safety and soil safety.

Apart from the appealing environment, Lin-gang's authorities are focusing on streamlining the application of environmental certificates.

The area has taken the lead in the country to integrate administrative examinations and approvals of environmental impact assessments, soil and water conservation plans and pollution discharge permits.

A sewage plant expansion project can now obtain approval documents in seven working days, which previously required at least 30 working days to process them.