Sponge Cities: Can they help us survive increasing rainfall?

Could Sponge Cities offer a solution to help Aotearoa New Zealand deal with more intense rainfall caused by climate change?

The sponge city approach aims to sustainably manage water resources in our urban centres. It requires cities to work with water rather than against it, using green infrastructure, minimising impervious surfaces, 'daylighting' streams, and more. By creating space for water, these approaches complement conventional engineering solutions.

The Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle have highlighted our vulnerability in the face of the increased flood risk. Adapting New Zealand’s cities will be a complex task – and require tough decisions on how we build in the future. Join this webinar to explore:

• Why Sponge Cities should be part of the solution to building flood resilience in New Zealand urban spaces.

• Practical small and large initiatives to make our cities “spongier” that we could start today.

• Policy recommendations, such as excluding vulnerable flood-prone areas from development, and incorporating mātauraunga Māori knowledge to achieve solutions that enhance biodiversity and promote human well-being.