Exploring Nature-Based Solutions for Urban River Restoration: Insights from China's Sponge City Programme

Cao, Yixin and Wantzen, Karl Matthias (2023) Exploring Nature-Based Solutions for Urban River Restoration: Insights from China's Sponge City Programme. LET IT GROW, LET US PLAN, LET IT GROW. Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Resilient Smart Green and Blue Cities. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2023, 28th International Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 269-280. ISSN 2521-3938

Text (Exploring Nature-Based Solutions for Urban River Restoration: Insights from China's Sponge City Programme) CORP2023_70.pdf - Published Version Download (384kB)

Abstract

In cities, river restoration is widely recognised as an essential Nature-based Solution (NbS) that delivers a wide range of benefits. However, rapid urbanisation and economic growth over the past four decades have led to the degradation of Chinese rivers. In response, the Chinese government introduced the Sponge City (SC) concept in 2013 as part of the 'Ecological Civilisation' era. The SC, considered a hybrid NbS, was designed to foster urban resilience, particularly against severe disasters such as floods. The nationwide SC Program (SCP) commenced in 2014. Since then, the number of participating cities has continued to grow. As a result, a large number of Chinese cities have been transitioning from traditional grey infrastructure to green/blue infrastructure with substantial investments, leading to the restoration, redesign and revitalization of urban rivers. Despite these efforts, there is a noticeable lack of research that examines urban river restoration from a multi-beneficial NbS perspective, a current global research trend. To address this research gap, the present study adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining expert interviews with bibliometric analysis, to explore the specific role of urban rivers as an NbS within the SC framework. Our study revealed an increasing scientific interest in urban river restoration beginning in 2013, viewing them as elements of sponge construction. Alongside this, there's a progressively nuanced understanding of rivers as multifunctional NbS. In addition, we identified specific challenges that impede the successful implementation of these NbS in Chinese cities. To overcome these barriers, we formulated a set of recommendations that are in harmony with China's new River Chief System policy and the Ecology Oriented Development (EOD) model. The aim is to enhance the sustainable governance of urban rivers as an NbS in the long term, thus contributing to overall sustainable development in China.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	social-ecological system, interview analysis, bibliometric analysis, nature-based solution, urban river restoration
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor T Technology > TC Hydraulic engineering. Ocean engineering
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2023 20:27
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2023 17:44
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/992

Actions (login required)

View Item