House&Home: The cities soaking up the future

Kongjian Yu is a prominent landscape architect and the visionary behind the "sponge city" concept, which aims to address urban flooding and water management challenges through nature-based solutions rather than conventional high-tech methods. Drawing from his upbringing in a monsoon climate in China, Yu emphasizes the importance of integrating green and blue infrastructures in urban design to effectively manage stormwater. His designs utilize features such as rain gardens, green roofs, and permeable pavements to enhance urban resilience, improve property values, and promote ecological health. Yu advocates for global cooperation in implementing these strategies, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change, and underscores the urgent need for sustainable practices in landscape architecture. Through his innovative approach, he aims to transform urban environments into adaptive, nature-based systems that celebrate and coexist with natural processes, ultimately fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

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Source：Francesca Perry. (2024).The cities soaking up the future.House&Home, pp. 8-9.