TOWNS in the Minhang District are experiencing rapid growth. Urbanization, economic development and a higher standard of living are being pursued as part of a strategy to reach goals set in the district's latest Five-Year Plan. "Don't be a talker, be a doer" was the prevailing slogan as four town Party secretaries sat down with the Minhang Times reporter Fei Lai to discuss dramatic changes sweeping across what was once farmland.

Pujiang Town

Pan Jinping, Party secretary of Pujiang Town, likes to compare his town's development with a bit of imagery. The future could be described, he said, as a "flying dragon" - with commercial Puxing Road being the body, and scenic Jiangyue and Yingyi lakes the eyes.

Pujiang is a production site for a variety of famous brands, including Suntory beer, Xinhualou mooncakes, Zwilling knives and Cimic tiles.

These industries have helped lift the town from its past image as a forgotten rural town where transport, medical, education and shopping services were lacking.

"Development was hard," Pan said. "Pujiang is like an entrepreneur starting up a business from scratch. But the people here have the conviction to make it happen."

The blueprint for Pujiang calls for a mix of commercial districts, industrial parks, farmland and green residences.

Commercial real estate has played a key role in the development. In the past decade, light industries, real estate projects and high-quality residential blocks have come to Pujiang. Town revenue increased from 200 million yuan (US$32.5 million) in 2000 to 5 billion yuan this year.

"New real estate projects along Puxing Road now cover almost 4 million square meters," Pan said. "They are equal to building a new city from scratch. Within five years, residents in Pujiang will experience high-end living right in their own hometown."

Along with property development have come medical services, schools, improved transport and shopping amenities.

Last year, Renji Hospital opened a branch in the town, becoming the second top-ranking medical facility to locate there. Since 2006, Pujiang Town has increased its financial support to schools. New facilities, including a high school and kindergarten, have been built. Children in Pujiang Town can now enjoy the same quality of education as those living in downtown Shanghai.

The town has not forgotten its roots. About 80 percent of Minhang's remaining farmland lies in its borders. "While preserving the land, we need to improve the lives of farmers and give them modern services," Pan said. "We want them to have a quality life."



Maqiao Town

Zhang Wei, Party secretary of Maqiao Town, held a map in his hand showing plans to turn his town into a center for sports.

Sports add vitality to the daily lives of Maqiao residents, he explained.

The town has already put itself on the sports map by hosting the ATP 1000 Masters Tournament.

This tennis event has brought money and profile to the town.

The Qizhong Forest Sports City Tennis Center, which hosts the Tennis Masters Cup, is also pegged as a regional tennis-training center.

"The value of the tennis center will be longer-lasting than just several days of a masters cup," Zhang said. "We are hoping in the future to host an array of international athletics events."

The Samaranch Foundation and the France Tennis Association have expressed their desire to become partners in sports with the Maqiao government.

The town is also planning to expand its sports venues to include golf and other games. While sports may be a dynamic outlet for younger people, the Maqiao government isn't ignoring those at the other end of the age spectrum.

"We are building a cross-generational community in Maqiao," Zhang said. "We want to develop a full-service chain for the pension industry.

Plans call for new facilities for the aged, including retirement residences and nursing homes.

"In just one area, the different needs of different senior people can be met," he said. In past three years, investment in local projects has raise town livelihoods by 12.3 percent a year on average, he said.

Xinhong Community

Yu Jianyuan, Party secretary of the Xinhong Community, said his young town has ambitious plans to become a vibrant commercial center.

The community was officially established in January 2010, by the Shanghai government. It comprises the community of Longbai and 10 relocated villages from Huacao.

Local residents in Xinhong did not have much of a sense of unity when the community was first established because they came from different parts of Minhang, Yu said. His government's top priority has been to instill a sense of local cohesion and purpose.

"To be frank, it's been a tough three years," Yu said.

"What investors see is only open spaces and urban planning charts. We have to persuade them to invest and believe in our future."

This year, that's beginning to happen.

Taking advantage of the establishment of the Hongqiao Central Business District, Xinhong is attracting companies such as property development groups Shui On and Vanke.

"In three years, the revenue of the Xinhong government is expected to reach 1 billion yuan, an average increase of 20 percent," Yu said. "By 2015, concrete changes will take place along Tianshan and Huaxiang roads. We are a community in a fast-development mode."



Huacao Town

Lu Genlong, Party secretary of Huacao Town, says the town's future is sailing in the slipstream of the adjacent Hongqiao Central Business District.

"Huacao used to be 'alienated' because of poor transport links," Lu said.

"However, that is changing. The Hongqiao Transport Hub, which will connect us with the Yangtze Delta and indeed the world, is changing the face of Huacao. A few years ago, we were farmland. A few years from now, we will be a big town."

The Hongqiao Central Business District is planned around construction of the Shanghai International Trade Center. Huacao will provide auxiliary amenities, such as accommodation, schools, medical facilities and recreational resources.

Currently, five international schools are located in Huacao.

A medical service chain is under development. Following from the establishment of New Hongqiao International Medical Center, the town will provide modern medical services to those working in the central business district. This month, construction began on one of the four main buildings of the new complex.

"It will forge a universal healthcare industry chain," Lu said. "The latest in medical equipment and procedures will be introduced."

Huacao is becoming popular among expats.

Foreign restaurants and coffee shops are springing up around Jinfeng and Baole roads. This September, an international shopping center on Yunle Road will open.