Urban flooding in China is increasing as city populations grow, forcing local governments and water authorities to look at new technologies for reducing storm and flood damage.

The issue was tackled by CRC for Water Sensitive Cities Chief Executive Professor Tony Wong in a recent interview on Beijing internet radio program People In the Know.

Data from China’s highest authority on flooding and drought prevention show since 2012, more than 100 cities across the country suffered from flooding each year. Flooding has troubled more than 40 cities so far this year.

Professor Wong and Lund University’s Associate Professor at Department of Water Resources Engineering, Dr Linus Zhang, discussed reasons why China has struggled to find a solution to urban flooding and the popularity of ‘sponge cities’ as a method of weathering extreme flooding and drought events.

In April this year, 16 cities and districts across China were selected by the central authorities as the testing ground for “sponge city”.

The full interview can heard here.

Last updated: 12th Oct 2015