Sponge Cities: Urban Landscapes that Drink Rainwater

As urban areas around the globe continue to grapple with the increasing challenges of flooding and water scarcity, innovative solutions are not just beneficial—they’re essential. By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will be urban, a transition that traditionally amplifies the risk of flooding. Add climate change to the mix, and the urgency for resilient infrastructure becomes clear.

Enter the visionary concept of "Sponge Cities," championed by landscape architect Kongjian Yu, the esteemed winner of the 2023 Oberlander Prize. This isn't just infrastructure; it's a philosophy of resilience woven into the urban fabric.

Kongjian Yu’s Sponge City initiative is an eco-technological revolution, transforming concrete jungles into urban landscapes that 'drink' rainwater. Instead of repelling water, cities designed with this methodology absorb it, just like a sponge, to address flooding and water scarcity simultaneously. Utilizing permeable materials, green rooftops, and rain gardens, the technology is natural—the soil itself, plants, and intelligently designed landscapes work in harmony to mitigate flood risks. It involves creating wetlands, ponds, and meandering streams that evoke China’s ancient agricultural landscapes, offering solutions that are low-tech yet highly effective.

Sponge Cities aim to reuse at least 70% of rainwater. They are designed to adapt to climate change, managing the increasing unpredictability and intensity of rain events, contributing to urban sustainability. They also serve as multi-functional landscapes where spaces like parks also act as flood basins or sports fields that store water underground, blending utility with recreation.

Some leading sponge cities adopting this concept include Chongqing, Beijing, Shanghai, Berlin, Rotterdam etc.

As more cities worldwide begin to absorb this approach, Sponge Cities could signify a turning point in how we live with water, making urban flooding a problem of the past and forging a blueprint for a future where technology and nature harmonise.

We invite you to join our Unicorns for Good world-class community of impact leaders to co-create a more mindful, inclusive, and sustainable world, by signing our Unicorns for Good Pledge.