In the heart of southwest China, Bishan District in Chongqing is pioneering a groundbreaking approach to urban resilience known as the 'sponge city' model. By integrating permeable paving bricks across sidewalks and public spaces, the city now 'breathes,' absorbing rainwater that once contributed to chronic flooding. Rain gardens double as natural reservoirs, while school rooftops bloom with vegetation, creating cooling green spaces in dense urban areas.
This $1.2 billion initiative, part of China’s national sponge city program, has reduced flood-prone areas by 58% since 2021. Local officials report a measurable improvement in the microclimate, with summer temperatures dropping an average of 2°C in pilot zones. For business leaders eyeing sustainable infrastructure opportunities, Chongqing’s success offers a template for flood-resistant urban design across Asia’s monsoon-prone regions.
'We’re marrying ancient Chinese hydrological wisdom with modern engineering,' explains Cheng Wei, director of Chongqing’s Urban Planning Bureau. Analysts note the project’s potential to influence green city benchmarks globally, particularly as climate change intensifies rainfall patterns. With over 30 similar sponge city projects now underway across the Chinese mainland, this ecological experiment could reshape how modern cities coexist with nature.
