Emerging Sponge Cities - Foresight Brief

This document outlines China’s growing urban flooding crisis and the government’s response through the implementation of sponge cities, an initiative launched in 2014 to enhance resilience against extreme rainfall and inadequate drainage systems. It explains how rapid urbanization, loss of natural ecosystems, and climate change have exacerbated flooding, causing severe human, economic, and environmental impacts. The report details government actions, including the designation of 30 pilot sponge cities between 2015 and 2016, each supported with significant funding for green infrastructure such as permeable pavements, wetlands, green roofs, and rain gardens. Targets were set for 20% of urban areas to adopt modern drainage systems by 2020, expanding to 80% by 2030, with a requirement that 70% of rainfall be absorbed onsite.