Sponge City

As a result of climate change, we have been struggling with heavy rain events, flooding, severe overheating and drought in our cities for years. Therefore, we at CITYFÖRSTER, make this topic the focus of our urban planning and see it as an opportunity: We are building climate-adaptive cities. Water plays a central role. We use the sponge city principle to regulate the urban climate and reorganize the water cycles. The urban infrastructure is designed with, rather than against, the natural water cycle. For example, this happens in the first step, through the unsealing and use of waterpermeable surfaces, trees and green roofs. Stormwater is treated at the surface, in rain gardens, dry streams, urban wetlands and stormwater retention basins. That way we store the water directly in the city, like in a sponge. The sponge city provides enormous added value. The lush vegetation not only functions as a natural air conditioning system that cools the urban microclimate in summer and regulates the water balance. In addition, the green spaces also serve as places for leisure and local recreation within the city. The water is not only a technical system but also a visible element that you can experience and enjoy. A noticeable quality improvement of life of city dwellers.