A rendering of Jinan Pioneer Area, Jinan, Shandong province after its restoration [Photo/jinannews.com]

Local authorities have set high-quality growth goals to help turn Jinan Pioneer Area into a demonstration zone which integrates ecological protection, intelligent industry development and a sound business environment.

Li Guoxiang, Party secretary of Jinan Pioneer Area, detailed the area's blueprint for future development at a news conference on May 21.

The area will structure its growth – which is based on industrial development, comprehensive transportation infrastructure, the Yellow River ecological landscape and the utilization of land resources – by learning from Xiong'an New Area in Hebei province and Shanghai's Pudong dsitrict.

"We are working out the ecological plan along the Yellow River and will launch a number of projects integrating ecological, landscape and recreational functions this year, such as the Central Park and Daisi River management projects," said Cui Yantao, deputy director of the Jinan Pioneer Area.

It is expected that these projects will become popular attractions for local residents after completion.

As for transportation, the area has built 14 cross-river tunnels, 10 of which have been completed and four are under construction, which will remove development limits between Jinan and Hebei province. The Qilu Bridge and Fenghuang Bridge will be put into use next year.

The area has started construction on a total of 37 municipal roads totaling 85 kilometers in length, which will be put into use by the end of this year to form a complete urban transportation network.

As for industrial development, the area will focus on developing five high-end industries - high-end equipment and intelligent manufacturing, the digital economy, high-end exhibitions, hydrogen energy, and high-end green construction.

According to Li, six industrial parks with a total investment of 167 billion yuan ($23.40 billion) have started construction in the area, which will serve its industrial development.