SPONGE CITY CONSTRUCTION IN CHINA：THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CHANLLEGES

Abstract

China’s Sponge city construction initiated by the national central government, represents an enormous efforts and unprecedented undertaking by the government for achieving urban sustainability, which presents also a global challenge and demand of efficient and Low Impact Development (LID) solutions to tackling the stormwater induced urban flooding disasters during extreme events and reduction of water pollution problems through infiltration, retention or detention, storage, purification, reuse and discharge of rainwater, while increasing the possibility of stormwater reuse and improving the urban environment and livability. It has been five years since it was launched in December 2014. 30 Chinese cities have been selected as pilot cities with financial support from the central government to test the possibilities and different LID solutions. What is the implementation status so far? In which levels the goals are achieved? What are the main achievements and lessons, as well as recommendations for the future implementation learning from the practices? This paper presents a summary of the Sponge city construction practices, bringing together the political objectives, technical approach, successful experience and challenges during the China’s Sponge city construction.