THE city is soliciting global institutes for landscaping designs to surround five bodies of water in Shenzhen, namely Chishi River, Guangming Lake, Guanlan River, Longgang River and Pingshan River, according to the Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Bureau.

The area to be landscaped around Chishi River covers 47.7 square kilometers, with two to three important spots along the river selected for detailed design plans to improve the riverside scenery.

The winner in the competition for landscaping the river’s banks is scheduled to be announced Aug. 28. The winner will earn a cash prize of 5 million yuan (US$0.7 million), according to the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

Chishi River is the largest river in the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone, extending nearly 36.8 kilometers and occupying an area of 382 square kilometers. The new landscaping along the river is part of plans to turn the zone into an international and modern “smart city.”

Ecological ways will also be built on two sides of Guangming Lake, Guanlan River, Longgang River and Pingshan River to create public spaces for cultural, economic and biological functions.

The design competition for these ecological ways is organized by the Municipal Water Authority, and the winning bidder will be confirmed in early May, said the report.  (Wang Jingli)