The Shanghai water authority has released a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming the megacity into a "sponge city", capable of absorbing and reusing rainwater to mitigate flooding and enhance ecological resilience. The plan outlines a multi-faceted approach involving green infrastructure, water conservancy projects, and technological upgrades to create a more sustainable and resilient urban environment.

This comprehensive plan, officially approved on July 30, aligns with the city's overarching goal of achieving "sponge city" status in 40 percent of its urban areas by 2025 and 80 percent by 2030.

Highlights of the implementation plan include:

Comprehensive planning and technical standards:

- Incorporating sponge city principles into all levels of urban planning, including detailed guidelines for rainwater storage capacity in new developments.

- Refining technical standards for rainwater management, with a focus on source control measures and integrating these standards into the broader sponge city evaluation system.

- Developing advanced hydrological models and risk maps to guide urban planning and infrastructure development.

Ecological restoration and green infrastructure:

- Expanding green spaces through the construction of urban forests, waterfront greenways, and ecological corridors to enhance rainwater absorption and filtration.

- Restoring and protecting river and coastal wetlands to improve flood control and water purification capabilities.

- Transforming parks into "sponge parks" by incorporating rainwater harvesting and storage systems, exemplified by the innovative dual-purpose detention basin at Shanghai Heping Park.

Flood control and drainage systems:

- Accelerating the construction of key water conservancy projects, such as the Wusong River project (Shanghai section) and the Xinchuansha River Pumping Station.

- Upgrading existing drainage systems through the construction of new pipelines, pumping stations, and green infrastructure to enhance flood resilience.

- Implementing a coordinated and cross-functional system to optimize water management across rivers, drainage networks, and surrounding water bodies.

Urban water infrastructure:

- Retrofitting existing water and wastewater treatment plants with sponge city features and incorporating these requirements into the design of new facilities.

- Upgrading aging drainage pipelines and implementing real-time monitoring systems to optimize drainage efficiency and minimize flooding risks.

- Promoting the use of decentralized rainwater harvesting and utilization systems to conserve water resources.

Project implementation and management:

- Implementing sponge city principles in all new construction projects, including residential, commercial, and public infrastructure.

- Incorporating sponge city criteria into land auction contracts and construction permit approvals to ensure compliance with design standards.

- Establishing a comprehensive digital management system to monitor project progress, evaluate performance, and facilitate data sharing.

Financial and administrative support:

The implementation of this ambitious plan will be supported by a multi-pronged approach:

- Dedicated funding mechanisms will be established to ensure adequate financial resources for the construction and maintenance of sponge city infrastructure.

- Interdepartmental collaboration will be strengthened to streamline project implementation and overcome administrative barriers.

- Regular performance evaluations and public reporting will be conducted to ensure transparency and accountability.

Source: shanghai.gov.cn