Turenscape’s Yu Kongjian on why Sponge Cities are the future of sustainability

How has the Sponge City concept evolved over time, and what are its biggest milestones?
The idea began in the mid-1990s with my research into ecological security patterns and my Harvard dissertation. It grew from a response to China’s devastating urban floods into a nature-based solution for cities worldwide.

Early demonstration projects, such as Zhongshan Shipyard Park (2002), Tianjin Qiaoyuan Park (2005) and Qunli Stormwater Park (2012) showcased how nature-based solutions could replace grey infrastructure. The 2012 Beijing floods, which killed 79 people, underscored the failures of conventional drainage systems, leading the Chinese government to adopt Sponge Cities as a national strategy in 2013. Since then, its success has expanded globally, with projects in Bangkok, Manila, and Mexico City proving its universal relevance.

Today, Sponge Cities have evolved into Sponge Planet, a movement addressing water management at a planetary scale to mitigate climate change.

What inspired the shift from Sponge Cities to Sponge Planet? 
For too long, climate action has been carbon-centric, focusing on reducing CO2 while ignoring the destabilised water cycle. Yet, water is equally crucial for regulating climate, sustaining biodiversity, and preventing disasters. Traditional flood-control measures—bigger dams, higher seawalls—are rigid and unsustainable.

Instead of fighting water, we must restore natural floodplains, reconnect rivers, and allow landscapes to absorb and store water. Sponge Planet takes this principle to a global scale, ensuring that cities, rural areas, and entire ecosystems function as water-regulating systems.

What are some of the biggest challenges in promoting nature-based solutions?
The biggest barrier is institutional resistance—most urban planners and engineers are trained in grey infrastructure solutions such as drainage pipes, dams, and seawalls. Many decision-makers view nature-based solutions as too experimental or difficult to quantify in economic terms.

To address this, I have delivered over 300 lectures worldwide to educate policymakers on the failures of grey infrastructure and the benefits of Sponge Cities. Demonstration projects such as the Haikou Meishe River Greenway in China and Benjakitti Forest Park in Thailand have showcased the successful applications of nature-based solutions.

Additionally, the economic advantages are clear: Sponge Cities reduce flood damage costs, lower water filtration expenses, and increase property values, proving that such ecological infrastructure is not only a sustainable solution, but also financially viable. 

What projects are currently underway in Southeast Asia? 
Southeast Asia is crucial for Sponge Planet due to its monsoon climate and rising sea levels.

In Thailand, the expansion of Benjakitti Forest Park in Bangkok is a major urban sponge park initiative.

In Indonesia, we developed a Sponge City master plan for the new capital, though its implementation remains uncertain. In the Philippines, Manila Pasay 360 Central Park, also known as Jungle Nilad, is set to become a climate-resilient waterfront park, restoring lost mangroves and reducing urban flooding.

In Singapore, we proposed a Sponge City corridor for the Railway Corridor Master Plan, though only a portion of our vision was accepted. Singapore is already a leader in water-sensitive urban design, and I hope to see more Sponge Planet applications here.

Read more: VanaVasa Eco-Resort: Luxury meets sustainability in Janda Baik, Malaysia

What advice do you have for urban planners and architects in Southeast Asia?
Southeast Asia is uniquely positioned to lead the global shift towards Sponge Planet thinking, as many of its traditional water management practices already align with nature-based solutions.

However, modern urbanisation has moved away from these principles, increasing flood risk and environmental degradation. Urban planners and architects must start by treating water as the foundation of urban design, rather than an afterthought. Cities should incorporate multifunctional green spaces that double as flood retention zones and restore native ecosystems for long-term resilience.

Moving away from grey infrastructure is critical—sponge solutions offer a cost-effective, sustainable and adaptive approach to urban resilience. By shifting from flood control to flood adaptation, cities can become healthier, greener,  and more liveable.

How have you incorporated the principles of Sponge Cities into your own home?
My home serves as a microcosm of the Sponge City philosophy. Rather than relying on traditional drainage and water infrastructure, I designed it to be self-sustaining, integrating rain gardens, permeable pavements, rooftop vegetation and retention ponds. These elements manage stormwater on-site, preventing runoff and replenishing groundwater. Over time, this approach has turned my home into an adaptive, biodiverse ecosystem, cooling the microclimate naturally and filtering pollutants. 

The key lesson is that every home, neighbourhood, and city must function as part of a global water-regulating system, which is what led to the broader Sponge Planet initiative. 

NOW READ 

How walking can lead to more sustainable cities

TRX City Park KL: How Pentago merges cultural heritage with sustainable landscape design

Home tour: A brutalist, sustainably designed London house with refurbished 1960s architecture