Schwammstadt

A sponge city – what exactly does that mean? At its core, this concept is about how cities can respond to climate change by improving their ability to store and use rainwater instead of simply letting it drain away. You can think of the sponge city as an intelligent network of green and blue infrastructure aimed at using water as a resource rather than seeing it as a threat.

Eine Schwammstadt – was genau bedeutet das eigentlich? Im Kern geht es bei diesem Konzept darum, wie Städte auf den Klimawandel reagieren können, indem sie ihre Fähigkeit verbessern, Regenwasser zu speichern und zu verwerten, anstatt es einfach abfließen zu lassen. Du kannst Dir die Schwammstadt als ein intelligentes Netzwerk von grünen und blauen Infrastrukturen vorstellen, das darauf abzielt, Wasser als Ressource zu nutzen, statt es als Gefahr zu sehen.

As extreme rainfall events become more frequent and longer drought periods force us to rethink, the sponge city is a key to making urban centers sustainable for the future. It’s not just about adaptation, but about creating a completely new relationship between the city and water. The city becomes a sponge – storing rain, slowly releasing it, using it to grow plants, and providing cooling.

But this is no theoretical construct. This vision is already becoming a reality in various cities worldwide. Let’s take a look at seven such “success stories”:

The city of Copenhagen in Denmark, which is one of the pioneers. In its district of “Sankt Kjelds,” they have created green spaces that absorb excess rainwater and serve as urban oases. In summer, they provide shade and cooling, while in winter, they direct water into retention basins.

In Singapore, the “Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park” was created, where a former drainage canal was transformed into a natural river. In addition to water storage, the area now offers recreational spaces that fit harmoniously into the urban environment.

Hamburg in Germany is implementing a mix of elevated buildings and lower-lying green spaces in the HafenCity district. These park landscapes absorb water during heavy rain, allow it to slowly seep away, and ease the burden on the drainage system.

China has a nationwide program for developing sponge cities. One of the most successful examples is Wuhan, where a network of lakes, canals, and green spaces has been integrated to protect the city from flooding and improve the urban climate.

In Rotterdam, the “Water Squares” concept has been implemented. These squares serve as reservoirs during rain and as play and recreational areas during dry periods. They are an innovative part of the city’s landscape design and help to reduce flood risk.

New York City has redesigned its parks in recent years. A prime example is Brooklyn Bridge Park, where the water of the East River is channeled into the green spaces during high tide. The plants clean the water, which is then slowly released back into the river.

Melbourne in Australia has implemented a project in “Royal Park” that captures heavy rainfall while providing a valuable habitat for wildlife. An old riverbed was restored to act as a natural water reservoir.

All of these examples vividly show that the sponge city concept not only works technically but also contributes to quality of life. They make cities greener, cooler, and more vibrant. These projects demonstrate the future of urban development – a future where humans and nature work hand in hand again.

What do you think? Shouldn’t this concept become a standard everywhere?