Ute Junker’s article Welcome to Sponge City in Winning Magazine explores innovative urban design solutions to combat flooding in major cities increasingly affected by severe weather events.
ARTICLE SUMMARY
Highlighting the concept of sponge cities, pioneered by Kongjian Yu of Beijing-based design firm Turenscape, the article explains how green infrastructure absorbs excess rainwater, preventing traditional drainage systems from being overwhelmed.
Examining cities like New York, Copenhagen, and Tirana which are adopting similar strategies, such as green roofs, porous pavements, and forest planting. Dr Elisa Palazzo, a senior lecturer at UNSW, contrasts these nature-based solutions with Australia’s technology-driven focus on improving drainage systems. She notes that increasing greenery enhances urban liveability by improving microclimates and reducing stress. Dr Rob Roggema, a professor of regenerative culture, underscores the importance of allowing water to re-enter natural systems, citing Brisbane’s 2022 floods as an example of the challenges posed by traditional infrastructure. He advocates for permeable cities that integrate natural processes. The Netherlands exemplifies this approach, using sand to reinforce dykes in a sustainable, adaptable way.
Despite its benefits, the sponge city concept faces hurdles, including economic constraints and limited government buy-in. Dr Kris Hartley highlights that regions frequently experiencing extreme weather, like southern China, are more inclined to embrace such measures. Palazzo adds that Europe and China’s geographically-aligned political boundaries aid in large-scale natural resource management, a challenge for countries like Australia and the US.
The article concludes that working with nature, rather than controlling it, offers sustainable solutions for urban resilience and provides a compelling argument for rethinking urban planning in the face of climate change.
