Berlin & China Creating “Sponge Cities” — Landscape Architects Help Cities Absorb Water, Cool Down

Berlin (Germany) and China are working with nature to create sponge cities that absorb rainwater and cool the city. Even without the challenges of climate change, cities would do well to consider the benefits of imitating natural ecosystems to cool down and store rainwater, a precious resource. With problems from climate change in urban areas, such as increased flooding and more extreme heatwaves, the need to develop “sponge cities” is essential. Creating a “sponge” deals with the two issues that cement and asphalt-laden urban centers create and thus contend with — more heat risk and flooding risk. Imitating nature in the concrete jungle is a key solution. Flash floods, heatwaves, more massive hurricanes, and life-threatening droughts are increasingly common. The climate adaptation strategy emerging in Berlin and China is a practical step to mitigating these problems. Incorporating the green space, catching the rainwater in the city-made wetlands and bioswales, helps to limit the risk presented by these things. And that rainwater will evaporate and cool the city, which can just help with overall quality of life. I think the idea to plant greenery on rooftops could only be improved if they were also community gardens.