Guangzhou will have nine Metro lines to cope with the expected heavy 2010 Asian Games traffic, Guangzhou Mayor Zhang Guangning told a conference on the city's urban design over the weekend.

Guangzhou would have 255 kilometers of metro lines by 2010, or nine lines, up from 203 kilometers in the original city plan, Zhang said Saturday.

Participants of the two-day conference, including urban design experts and government officials, agreed on Guangzhou's development by 2010.

The participants agreed that the Asian Games was a good opportunity for Guangzhou and that Guangzhou should use this opportunity to enhance its competitive edge and improve its environment.

They also agreed that local designers should play a major role in designing the games' gyms.

"The Asian Games will surely help the development of Guangzhou," said the mayor.

"But as Guangzhou mayor, I often think about how to build the city into a great and comfortable city," said Zhang.

Zhang said the massive Metro project would need a huge cash investment. Zhang said new gyms should help boost economy, and be usable after the games.

"Having beautiful gyms is important, but we should also consider the economic benefits of the gyms, the job opportunities they can create, and their usage after the games," said Zhang.

Pan An, head of the municipal urban design bureau, said most of the matches could be held in existing gyms.

The city would only build new gyms when necessary, said Pan.

 (Shenzhen Daily April 11, 2005)