Public Leisure and Recreation Area

　　The Public Leisure and Recreation Area is located between the Songyuan City Hotel and Songyuan City Factory 0, at the interface between the Ningjiang urban area and the Songhua River. It includes areas such as the Riverside Park, Riverside Greenbelt, and River Central Island. Around the world, renowned cities are invariably intricately and inseparably connected to water—either built along rivers or situated by the shore. Countless examples show how cities are beautified by rivers and how rivers gain fame through cities, such as the Seine for Paris, the Thames for London, the Rhine for Berlin, the Hudson for New York, the Huangpu River for Shanghai, and the Pearl River for Guangzhou. Rivers have become vital components of these cities and indispensable parts of their souls. In the formation and development of cities, rivers serve as key resources and environmental carriers that affect urban survival, constrain urban growth, and play an important role in shaping urban character and enhancing urban environments. Therefore, the planning of urban waterfront zones has become a crucial and highlight aspect of urban planning in these cities.

　　Like many famous cities around the world, the Ningjiang urban area is also built along a river. From a geographical perspective, Ningjiang is undoubtedly a “riverfront city.” However, in reality, the “riverfront” feel of Ningjiang is not strong. The urban area of Ningjiang fails to complement the Songhua River, and the Songhua River also fails to enhance the charm of the Ningjiang urban area. Inappropriate urban development concepts have led to a current state where the Ningjiang urban area and the Songhua River exist in a relationship of defense, isolation, and opposition. This runs counter to the global trend of promoting “eco-friendly cities,” “landscape-oriented cities,” and “water-friendly cities.” It must be said that this is a significant shortcoming in the urban planning of the Ningjiang District. Further adjusting urban development concepts and accelerating the planning and construction of the urban waterfront zone has become an urgent priority for the Ningjiang District.