Sponge Planet: A Unified Water-Based Solution to the Climate Emergency

Sponge Planet

Kongjiang Yu’s sponge city concept brings together art and science to store stormwater rather than channel it away, which improves ecological health and aesthetic appeal in urban areas. Key Takeaways Sponge city concept takes a holistic approach to landscape interventions with ponds, wetlands, and plantings to quell urban flooding. An effective response to the climate and biodiversity crisis, sponge cities also improve the quality of life for urban dwellers. Award-winning landscape architec...

When I relocated with my family from Washington DC to Dubai in 2023, the last thing on our minds was that we might get flooded. Fast-forward a few months and all I think about is how something called a “sponge city” may help this emirate to alleviate the impact of heavy rainfall.

CIDADES-ESPONJA: CONHEÇA CONCEITO QUE USA CIÊNCIA PARA PREVENIR TRAGÉDIAS COMO A DO RS

在几周前的世界建筑节上，美国艺术与科学院院士、北京大学建筑与景观设计学院院长俞孔坚教授介绍的浦阳江生态廊道项目令我印象深刻！

One of the most memorable crits I attended during the World Architecture Festival a couple weeks ago was Turenscape's presentation of Puyangjiang River Corridor, which involved the demolition of the channelized river's concrete embankments and subsequent "softening and remediating" of the 10-mile-long river corridor.

By 2050, the world’s population is expected to reach 9.8 billion and nearly 70% of this ever-growing population (6.7 billion people) is projected to live in urban areas. China, which now has the 2nd largest population in the world, is suggesting a Sponge City concept that could help prevent flooding, create healthier urban environments and build a more resilient future.

With this Featured Project, we’re very excited to be showcasing our first Sponge Park, the Nanchang Fish Tail Park designed by landscape architect Dr. Kongjian Yu, the world’s preeminent sponge park and sponge city designer. In fact, he’s credited as the author of the sponge city concept, with hundreds of completed projects across China.

Sponge City and Sponge Planet