Part 3/9:
Since 1995, floods have claimed over 157,000 lives globally and rank as the deadliest natural disaster. With climate change intensifying rainfall events—some regions experiencing "once-in-a-millennium" floods—the risk will only escalate. The challenge is compounded by rapid urban population growth; by 2050, nearly the entire world’s population is expected to reside in cities, increasing the stakes.
Nature-Inspired Solution: The Concept of Sponge Cities
Sponge cities aim to work with nature rather than against it. Inspired by traditional Chinese irrigation systems called mulberry fish ponds, modern sponge city designs integrate green architecture principles to create urban spaces that soak up, retain, and slowly release stormwater.