What is Sponge Landscape? Explanation and details.

In recent years, urban flooding has become a major concern in many large cities around the world, including Vietnam. As concrete structures obscure green spaces, rainwater has no way to drain, leading to serious economic and social damage. To address this problem, the concept of Sponge Landscape Also known as the "Sponge City," it emerged as a sustainable savior.

So What is flood control landscaping?Why is it considered the future of urban planning? Let's find out in detail in the article below.

1. What is Sponge Landscape?

Sponge Landscape is an urban planning strategy and landscape design The aim is to enhance the natural ability to absorb, store, filter, and release rainwater.

Instead of using traditional concrete drainage systems to quickly move water away (which often leads to infrastructure overload), this model transforms the entire city into a giant "sponge.".

• Absorption: Rainwater seeps through open surfaces.
• Storage: Retain water in reservoirs and wetlands.
• Detoxification: Using plants and soil layers to naturally purify water.
• Reuse: Utilize stored water for irrigation or domestic use.

2. The Origin and Development of the Sponge City Model

This concept is strongly promoted by Professor Kongjian Yu (Peking University) and associates at Turenscape. He argued that "grey infrastructure" solutions (dikes, concrete) are going against the laws of nature. Instead, we need "green infrastructure" to live peacefully with floods.

Based on pilot projects in China, the model Sponge Landscape It has spread globally, starting from Singapore (with ABC Waters program) to cities in Europe and America, demonstrating outstanding effectiveness in adapting to climate change.

3. Main components in a flood control landscape system

To create an effective flood control ecosystem, a combination of technical and landscape factors is needed:

3.1. Rain Gardens

These are low-lying areas planted with shrubs and native vegetation. When it rains, the water flows into these areas, gradually seeping into the ground instead of overflowing onto the road.

3.2. Water-permeable sidewalks and streets (Rain Gardens)

Instead of using asphalt or sealed concrete, the architects used interlocking paving blocks or porous concrete. This allows rainwater to pass through the surface and directly replenish the groundwater.

3.3. Green Roofs

Vegetation covering on the roof not only helps insulate the building but also retains a significant amount of rainwater, reducing immediate pressure on the drainage system below.

3.4. Retention ponds and artificial wetlands

These are giant "reservoirs" within the city. They not only serve as temporary water storage but also as parks, recreational areas, and biodiversity conservation centers.

Learn more: What is a botanical garden? Detailed explanation.

4. Outstanding Benefits of Flood-Resistant Landscape Design

Model Sponge Landscape It's not just about flood control; it also offers multi-purpose value:

• Minimize flood risks: Dispersing water flow reduces flood peaks and prevents localized flooding.
• Improve water quality: Layers of soil and tree roots act as natural filters, removing pollutants before water flows into rivers and streams.
• Reducing the urban heat island effect: Greenery and bodies of water help lower the ambient temperature by 2°C to 5°C, creating a cool living space.
• Replenishing groundwater: Allowing water to seep naturally helps maintain groundwater reserves and prevent urban subsidence.
• Enhance the aesthetics and value of your property: Urban areas with many lakes and green parks always attract residents and have higher economic value.

See also: Why does a purely organic landscape help reduce maintenance costs in the long run?

The Difference Between Sponge Landscape and Traditional Landscape

💧 Permeability

• Sponge Landscape: Use "soft" and "porous" surfaces (interlocking perforated paving blocks, porous concrete, rain gardens). Water is Absorbed immediately at the site., restoring moisture to the soil

🌿 Vegetation

• Typical landscape: Choose plants based on aesthetic criteria. Plants often die easily if they are waterlogged for too long or suffer from excessive drought.

• Sponge Landscape: Use native hermaphrodite plants. These species have extremely strong root systems, which act as biological filters, allowing them to tolerate both drought and flooding.

🏗️ Sub-surface Structure

• Typical landscape: Beneath the layer of grass is often just compacted soil or rubble.

• Sponge Landscape: As a multi-layered technical system including:Vegetation & Soil Layer: Retains surface water.Sand and gravel filter layer: Removes dirt and heavy metals.Underground storage tanks: Temporarily store water before replenishing it into the groundwater.

See also: Organic and Traditional Landscapes: What's the Difference?

Why choose flood control landscaping?

See also: Purely organic landscapes in the trend of modern urban sustainable development.

5. Challenges in Implementing Flood Control Landscapes in Vietnam

Vietnam, with its tropical monsoon climate and rapid urbanization, urgently needs this model. However, its implementation still faces several obstacles:

1. Limited land availability: In densely populated urban areas like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, allocating space for retention ponds and green spaces is a challenging task.
2. Initial investment cost: Although they offer long-term benefits, green infrastructure design and construction typically cost more than traditional drainage systems.
3. Community spirit: Maintaining rain gardens or green roofs requires cooperation and awareness from the public.

Sponge Landscape It's not just a technical solution, but a design philosophy that respects nature.

In the context of increasingly complex climate change, the transition from "hard cities" to "sponge cities" is an inevitable direction to ensure sustainability for the future.

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand. What is flood control landscaping? and the values it brings. Investing in green landscapes today is protecting our lives tomorrow.