'Sponge park' begins trial operations in Shanghai

The park is one of the model projects in the national pilot "sponge city" program. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The park is called "Land of Starry Sky" as it neighbors the newly-opened Shanghai Astronomy Museum.

The park was one of the model projects in the national pilot "sponge city" program, in which Shanghai was among the cities included in the second batch pilot locations.

The ground of the park was built using permeable materials which can absorb and channel water to underground storage units.

According to Harbour City Group, a 30-centimeter layer of thick gravel was laid under the soil to filter salt from the groundwater.