PEOPLE will be able to walk along the bank of Huangpu River in Pudong from Yangpu Bridge to Xupu Bridge, via the Lujiazui financial hub and former World Expo site, by the end of next year, the city's top planning body said yesterday.

New parks, public squares and art galleries have been planned along the 21.5 kilometer-long riverside area in Pudong to demonstrate the city's transformation and development, said the Shanghai Planning, Land and Resources Administration, which is also soliciting public opinion on the plans.

"The area along the river covering 3.4 square kilometers will display the city's culture and history, offer public spaces for residents as well as allow tourists from both home and aboard to experience the city's lifestyle," the administration said.