Since China launched the reform and opening-up drive, Guangzhou(Canton)’s economic prosperity has provided favorable conditions for the city’s urban construction. The city is pressing ahead with the construction of an extensive network of modern infrastructure facilities and has completed a number of landmark building projects, such as the International Convention and Exhibition Center and, in addition, various throughways and thoroughfares. Construction of the subway system is progressing smoothly.
City authorities have also launched a program to improve traffic conditions in major nodes of central urban area. Moreover, the construction of the four new major sewage treatment systems and domestic garbage treatment facilities is progressing rapidly.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
On August 5, 2004, the new Baiyun International Airport was officially put into service. As the mainland’s first large-scale modernized airport built with hub airport concepts and one of China’s top three hub airports, the Baiyun Airport can accommodate the world’s largest airplane taking off or landing at full
capacity. It is already one of the world’s busiest airports.
Expressways and Throughways
City authorities are accelerating the development of an urban transportation network and a system of high-grade expressways linking Guangzhou(Canton) to the cluster of cities in the Pearl River Delta. A throughway ring network is emerging, comprised of four rings, 15 radial lines, and eight approach roads. City authorities are making strong efforts to improve the regional highway structure, step up the renovation and construction of existing arterial roads, and implementation of the program to improve urban transportation systems.
Ports
City authorities are planning a new port at Nansha, which will shorten the distance between the city center and its nearest seaport by 112 km and accelerate the city’s strategic transformation from a river port with
limitations to a seaport with all modern facilities. A number of modern terminals for international logistics, including 56 standard berths, are also planned for Nansha Port.
Road Development
Elevated roads: The eastbound Xiaobei and westbound Dabei Elevated Roads above Huanshi Road, the Renmin Elevated Road, and Liu Ersan Elevated Road are effective in diverting vehicular traffic to related throughways, alleviating transportation pressure on nearby roads.
River-Spanning Bridges: Guangzhou(Canton) has 15 bridges spanning the Pearl River, linking together the northern and southern areas of the city.
Inner Ring Road: The inner ring road located in the city center is Guangzhou(Canton)’s largest municipal infrastructure project after Metro Line 1, and provides an elevated road above the city’s major roads, linked to the expressway that passes around the city through seven approach roads. It circles the city
center and spans seven districts, with 12 flyovers and 11 ramps. It has greatly improved the city’s traffic conditions.
Under-river Tunnels: In the near future Guangzhou(Canton) will have a total of six tunnels connecting the two banks of Pearl River. One of the six tunnels, the Zhujiang Tunnel, is already in service; another two, the Luntou-Bio Island Tunnel and Bio Island-HEMC (Higher Education Mega Center) Tunnel, are under construction; three more are being planned.
Subway
Guangzhou(Canton) Metro Lines 1, 2, 3 and 4 are in operation, and construction of additional lines is underway. By the time the Asian Games open in 2010, Guangzhou(Canton) will have nine metro lines, bringing most suburban residential communities and satellite towns (excluding Nansha) with a population of more than half a million to within a 30-minute ride of the city center. The metro lines will also be connected to the Guangzhou(Canton)-Foshan intercity track transportation system, bringing Foshan, Donguang and other neighboring cities within an hour’s ride from Guangzhou(Canton).
Parks
Guangzhou(Canton) has nearly 200 parks, most of which are open to the public for free or with low admission prices.