Fallen Leaves Retained in Hongkou’s 3 Landscape Roads

The sanitation workers pick up litter from fallen leaves. Photo by Qi Chuanbin

By Qi Chuanbin

Recently, Liyang Road, Siping Road and Anfen Road have been included in the list of 41 landscape roads with fallen leaves not swept released by Shanghai Landscaping & City Appearance Administrative Bureau. It is expected that the best viewing period will be at the end of November.

It is seen on Liyang Road (the section from Siping Road to Sichuan North Road) that leaves of Platanus on both sides of the road have changed from green to yellow. When a gust of wind blows, leaves fall slowly. The colorful carpet of fallen leaves has come into shape. On Siping Road (the section from Hailun Road to Dalian Road) and Anfen Road (the section from South Sitang River to Yixian Road), ginkgo leaves on branches are also quietly "changing color", ready to change into "gold dress" to meet the guests. It is reported that this year, "No Sweeping of Fallen Leaves" will be carried out from November 15 to 30, but the district urban development company will reasonably extend time according to the actual situation of fallen leaves, so as to let citizens and tourists feel the charm of autumn more.

“No Sweeping of Fallen Leaves doesn’t mean no sweeping at all. On the contrary, it demands more refinement in our work," added Hu Linlin, a road sweeper in the North Sichuan Road operation block of Shanghai Hongyuan Environmental Cleaning Co., Ltd. She said that the broom in her hand changed into a garbage clamp and the dustpan changed into an eco-friendly bag, when she used the garbage clamp to pick up garbage under fallen leaves. According to sources, during the period of not implementing “No Sweeping of Fallen Leaves”, sanitation workers usually swept fallen leaves and garbage into trucks. Now, they have to selectively clean up fallen leaves, and make only part of the sidewalks and lower street edge near the sidewalks covered with fallen leaves. Meanwhile, sanitation personnel need to inspect fallen leaves on the roads every day, and ensure that there is no white floating garbage and domestic garbage mixed with leaves, so that the public can enjoy the pure beauty of fallen leaves.

In addition, the district urban development company will flexibly adjust time of retaining leaves according to weather changes and other conditions. In case of special weather including heavy rain and major urban activities, priority will be given to ensure safety of pedestrians instead of affecting daily lives of residents. Leaves will not be retained for the time being, and the roads will be comprehensively cleaned.  At that time, it is normal that no leaves can be seen on the deciduous landscape road.

As a measure to build Shanghai into an ecological city and a cultural city, the landscape roads with fallen leaves not swept has been praised by citizens and tourists for six years. The district urban development company appeals: while enjoying the beautiful scenery, citizens and tourists will take good care of deciduous landscape roads, and build a clean and beautiful city appearance.