Strategic Study On The Development Of The Urban National Geological Park Of Chongming Island

In September, 2005, Shanghai was approval to build the Chongming Island National Geological Park. The Chongming Geopark was officially opened in April,2008. The Geopark covers the whole island, with a total area of around 1,200 square kilometers. It is the only national geopark in Shanghai.This paper discusses how the National Geological Park can play a unique and positive role in this metropolitan city's industry restructuring and sustainable development. The concept of"urban national geological park"is put forward. Then follows the analysis of the economic significance of the geological resources industry.This paper studies the geological resources value, ecological resources value as well as the environmental value of the Chongming Island National Geopark. A series of statistical analysis and forecasting methods are used to predict the market scale of the Chongming Geopark. The restraints of the environment, tourism facilities and the bearing capacity on the Geopark have also been analyzed. According to its own characteristics and based on the analysis of its strategic development environment, guidelines and targets for Chongming Island's strategic development have been put forward.By absorbing experiences both from home and abroad, this paper has also proposed a masterplan and a brand planning for Chongming Island. Regarding the masterplan, it is suggested building the Geopark into a Museum Island. A series of museums are proposed to be built and modern hi-technologies be incorporated into the museums, through which people can enjoy a full display of geoparks all over the world, from the distinctive Chongming Island estuary geological landscape of the Yangtze Delta to the other abundant and special geological parks. In this way, a cluster of geopark museums will come into being. With regard to the brand planning, during the process of establishing World Geological Forum, the Chongming Island will gradually improve its ability and facilities for holding international conventions and exhibitions. Besides, based on its already established exhibition facilities, Shanghai will become a new popular destination for international conventions. Because, as a hosting city for international conventions, it is a perfect combination of the metropolitan mode represented by Paris and the scenic resort mode represented by Davos. So, this can not only promote the development of the exhibition industry in Shanghai, but also create a good opportunity to establish an international forum in Chongming.By drawing on the experiences of the management mechanism of the American national parks and the management system of the European geological parks, this paper has also given suggestions on the management and information systems of Chongming Island Geopark.The urban national geological park is rarely seen. But it plays a special role in promoting the urban development. This paper studies the interrelationship between the urban national geological park and the urban cities'sustainable development. It is hoped that the law behind could be found out and presented to the decision-makers for references.This paper has incorporated the theory study into the strategic development planning of the Chongming Island National Geological Park. In this way, on one hand, more references could be presented to the decision-makers to broaden their mind in making the Twelfth Five-Year Plan; on the other hand, by choosing a unique case, the economic significance of the geological resources industry could be restudied and appreciated.