The city will no long fill up waters for homes, they said. On the contrary, some houses will be removed for the return of river courses.

Efforts will be taken to lengthen river courses to increase flow water. Those artificial lakes getting popular in residential quarters will not be counted in, official said.

The original natural water system in the city's periphery will be regained. The city has lost the largest amount of water in this area in the past years during a process of urbanization.

Rivers will be introduced back to Xuhui, Huangpu and other central downtown districts where a heavy urbanization has left almost no water, they said. This will also increase flood-prevention capability of these districts during flood seasons.

To ensure the project be fruitful, the city will have to do better in cleaning up waters, officials said.

An increased water area will also bring benefits to real estate developers. Survey by the municipal Housing Development Bureau revealed that new homes near lakes or rivers are priced 10 percent to 15 percent higher than those don't and are sold better.

Shanghai has removed many river courses during its early period of development of commercial homes. Its total water area has decreased from 11.1 percent to 8.4 percent from 1980s to the end of 1999.

From 1999 to now, it has created new water area of 3.28 square kilometers, including many artificial lakes and ponds in sightseeing places and residential areas.

(eastday.com June 14, 2002)