Across countries around the world, the concept of “sponge cities” is gaining popularity — an urban approach that turns rainwater from a threat into a resource. The idea was proposed in 2014 by Chinese architect Kongjian Yu. It is based on creating parks, ponds and squares that absorb precipitation and gradually return moisture to nature.
According to the UN, floods account for up to 40% of weather-related disasters. Dense development and shrinking green spaces in megacities make the effects of heavy rain worse. There are already examples of successful implementation. In Auckland, half of the city’s area is covered by green spaces, which helps it cope with rainfall quickly. After the devastating 2011 flood, Copenhagen abandoned traditional storm-drain infrastructure and created a system of parks, bio-retention basins and underground tunnels. They both protect the city and serve as places for recreation, having been turned into skate parks or mini-amphitheaters.
The concept is reaching a global scale: similar practices are being introduced in Berlin, Jakarta, Bangkok and Cardiff. Studies show that such solutions are 50% cheaper than traditional engineering projects and bring additional benefits for the environment and quality of life.
