Daily Current Affairs : 10-August-2023
In recent times, China has been grappling with the devastating impacts of floods that have wreaked havoc on cities, causing loss of life, infrastructural damage, and raising concerns about the efficacy of its 2015 “sponge city” initiative. This essay delves into the context, key components, significance, and benefits of China’s “sponge city” approach in mitigating urban flood risks.
The Sponge City Initiative: A Protective Shield Against Floods
The “sponge city” initiative, launched in 2015, aimed to bolster flood resilience in major urban centers by leveraging architectural, engineering, and infrastructural adaptations. At its core, this strategy sought to harness the potential of “nature-based solutions” to efficiently manage rainwater distribution, drainage, and storage.
Innovative Solutions for Flood Resilience
Under the “sponge city” umbrella, several innovative solutions were devised to combat urban flooding:
- Permeable Asphalt: The incorporation of permeable asphalt allowed rainwater to infiltrate the ground rather than accumulating on impermeable surfaces, thereby reducing waterlogging and runoff.
- Canals and Ponds: The construction of new canals and ponds provided designated spaces for excess rainwater, minimizing the risk of flooding in urban areas.
- Wetlands Restoration: Restoration of wetlands not only facilitated effective water absorption but also contributed to enhancing the overall urban environment.
Understanding the Concept of Sponge Cities
The term “sponge cities” aptly captures the essence of urban areas enriched with natural features such as trees, lakes, parks, and thoughtful designs aimed at absorbing rainfall and averting flooding.
Rising Imperative: Climate Change and Urban Flooding
The urgent need for flood-resilient urban landscapes has been underscored by the increasing frequency of severe floods. Climate change-induced heavier rainfall and escalating flood risks have made this initiative all the more pertinent.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently highlighted that 700 million people already reside in regions where extreme rainfall events have surged, a number set to surge in tandem with global temperature elevation.
Benefits of Sponge Cities: A Multi-Faceted Approach
Sponge cities offer a multifaceted range of benefits that contribute to flood mitigation and overall urban sustainability:
- Enhanced Water Retention: By holding water in natural features such as rivers, green spaces, and soil, sponge cities reduce water loss through evaporation, enhancing their resilience during periods of drought.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Natural techniques for water absorption are not only more affordable but also more efficient compared to conventional man-made solutions, providing an economically viable approach to flood management.
- Environmental Enrichment: The restoration of wetlands, creation of parks, and promotion of green spaces contribute to the overall improvement of the urban environment, fostering biodiversity and enhancing the quality of life for residents.
Important Points:
- China’s cities recently faced devastating floods, raising questions about the effectiveness of the 2015 “sponge city” initiative.
- The initiative aimed to enhance flood resilience and manage rainwater through architectural, engineering, and infrastructural changes.
- “Sponge city” approach involves nature-based solutions for better water distribution, drainage, and storage.
- Innovative solutions include permeable asphalt, new canals and ponds, and wetlands restoration.
- “Sponge cities” refer to urban areas designed to absorb rainwater, preventing flooding, and incorporating natural elements like trees and parks.
- Climate change-induced heavier rainfall and growing flood risks underline the urgency of flood-resilient urban planning.
- The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports increased rainfall extremes affecting 700 million people, with the number expected to rise.
- Sponge cities offer multiple benefits:
- Enhanced water retention in rivers, green spaces, and soil, increasing resilience during droughts.
- Cost-effective natural solutions, 50% more affordable and 28% more effective than man-made methods.
- Environmental enrichment through wetlands restoration, parks creation, and improved urban quality of life.
- China’s “sponge city” initiative demonstrates a promising strategy to combat urban flooding and climate change impacts.
- By blending innovation with nature-based approaches, sponge cities provide a beacon of hope for flood-resilient urban development.
Why In News
China has been grappling with a series of destructive floods in recent times, submerging urban centers, leading to loss of lives, significant infrastructural impairments, and prompting a critical reevaluation of the efficacy of its 2015 “sponge city” program, which was designed to mitigate urban flood vulnerabilities. As these calamitous floods persist, there is an urgent need for China to reassess and bolster its flood control strategies while addressing the challenges encountered in fully realizing the objectives of its innovative “sponge city” approach.
MCQs about Sponge Cities
-
What is the primary goal of China’s “sponge city” initiative?
A) Increasing urban population
B) Reducing traffic congestion
C) Enhancing flood resilience
D) Promoting industrial growth
-
What is the significance of the term “sponge cities” in the context of urban planning?
A) Refers to cities with advanced technology infrastructure
B) Describes cities with abundant cultural heritage sites
C) Signifies urban areas designed to absorb rainwater and prevent flooding
D) Indicates cities with high levels of pollution control measures
-
Why is the concept of “sponge cities” gaining importance in the context of climate change?
A) To promote urbanization in rural areas
B) To reduce green spaces and create more buildings
C) To combat increasing urban pollution
D) To address the growing risk of severe floods due to climate change
-
What advantage do natural ways of water absorption in sponge cities have over man-made solutions?
A) They are more expensive but more effective.
B) They are less effective but more affordable.
C) They are both cost-effective and more efficient.
D) They are neither cost-effective nor efficient.
Boost up your confidence by appearing our Weekly Current Affairs Multiple Choice Questions
