Shenzhen

'Sponge City' Flood Management

Shenzhen, China

Highlight

City-scale network of parks, wetlands and permeable surfaces designed to absorb, store and reuse stormwater.

Extended description

Shenzhen is one of China's leading 'sponge city' pilots, redesigning urban areas to absorb, store, filter and reuse rainwater through parks, wetlands, green roofs and permeable surfaces. The approach reduces flood risk and runoff, improves water quality and creates cooler, greener public spaces. Applied at district and city scale, it is a major example of nature-based stormwater management in a rapidly urbanised megacity.