Yichang develops under-utilized land in urban area
2025-07-13 20:07:45
By Chen Si.
In recent years, Yichang has transformed underutilized urban spaces into venues for recreation, parking, and public transportation.
The city has streamlined the land development process by consolidating separate undeveloped plots into comprehensive plans for joint development.
Additionally, Yichang has implemented an “exemption list” fast track to enhance approval efficiency for projects that do not increase floor area or disrupt existing interests.
For instance, Wangjiahe Park, located under the Yichang Yangtze River Bridge, now features leisure walkways, rain corridors, and children's slides for relaxation.
Under the Yiling Yangtze River Bridge, two new observation platforms with seating have been established. “I walk under the bridge every day in the small square. It's especially pleasant,” said Li Xianyu, a Yichang resident.
At night, the open space below the platforms transforms into a night market where visitors can enjoy milk tea, light meals, and free films.
The area under the Zhixi Yangtze River Bridge combines sports courts, children's playgrounds, green landscaping, pedestrian walkways, seating, and bus stops.
Footbridge spaces have also been repurposed for public use, providing shelter from rain and rest areas.
For example, seating and children's play facilities have been installed under the footbridge near Dongshan Garden.
Building pocket parks has become another strategy for utilizing vacant city space.
The 3,200-square-meter Tiyuchang Road Pocket Park, measuring 454 meters long, has transformed a former wasteland into a vibrant area for food, entertainment, and scenic views.
Constructing parking lots on leftover land has eased parking challenges in the urban area.
The Central Business District's three-story parking garage was built on a corner lot left over from the Xiling Second Road Expressway construction, providing temporary parking for shoppers during the day and alleviating overnight parking issues for nearby residents.
Chengdong Park's public car park takes advantage of a slope to create 148 parking spaces.
Overall, Yichang has added 4,962 parking spaces and 63 pocket parks by developing underutilized land in the urban area.
Gong Changjun and Gao Zhouzhou contributed to this story.
In recent years, Yichang has transformed underutilized urban spaces into venues for recreation, parking, and public transportation.
The city has streamlined the land development process by consolidating separate undeveloped plots into comprehensive plans for joint development.
Photo by Gong Changjun
Additionally, Yichang has implemented an “exemption list” fast track to enhance approval efficiency for projects that do not increase floor area or disrupt existing interests.
For instance, Wangjiahe Park, located under the Yichang Yangtze River Bridge, now features leisure walkways, rain corridors, and children's slides for relaxation.
Under the Yiling Yangtze River Bridge, two new observation platforms with seating have been established. “I walk under the bridge every day in the small square. It's especially pleasant,” said Li Xianyu, a Yichang resident.
At night, the open space below the platforms transforms into a night market where visitors can enjoy milk tea, light meals, and free films.
The area under the Zhixi Yangtze River Bridge combines sports courts, children's playgrounds, green landscaping, pedestrian walkways, seating, and bus stops.
Footbridge spaces have also been repurposed for public use, providing shelter from rain and rest areas.
For example, seating and children's play facilities have been installed under the footbridge near Dongshan Garden.
Building pocket parks has become another strategy for utilizing vacant city space.
The 3,200-square-meter Tiyuchang Road Pocket Park, measuring 454 meters long, has transformed a former wasteland into a vibrant area for food, entertainment, and scenic views.
Constructing parking lots on leftover land has eased parking challenges in the urban area.
The Central Business District's three-story parking garage was built on a corner lot left over from the Xiling Second Road Expressway construction, providing temporary parking for shoppers during the day and alleviating overnight parking issues for nearby residents.
Chengdong Park's public car park takes advantage of a slope to create 148 parking spaces.
Overall, Yichang has added 4,962 parking spaces and 63 pocket parks by developing underutilized land in the urban area.
Gong Changjun and Gao Zhouzhou contributed to this story.
