China Water Resources

Urban flood control in China has shifted from a focus on structural measures to a balanced integration of structural and non-structural approaches, from isolated flood and waterlogging management to integrated strategies,and from localized urban interventions to basin-wide governance. The introduction of sponge city and resilient city has notably enhanced urban flood control and facilitated sustainable urban development. Following years of exploration and practice, China has achieved progress in technology application, policy formulation, and public engagement,particularly in urban flood simulation and risk assessment. With the improvement of monitoring and perception systems,breakthroughs have been made in forecasting and early warning technologies, expanding the scope of their application.Mechanisms for interdepartmental collaboration and coordination, as well as public-private partnerships, have bolstered cities' resilience to floods, providing foundation for flood control and disaster mitigation efforts. Leveraging advanced technologies such as the Beidou Navigation Satellite System, LiDAR, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and big data, China is advancing digital twin basins and national/regional water networks, supporting flood control and ensuring high-quality water resource management. Looking ahead, urban flood control will continue to evolve towards a more systematic, intelligent, and ecologically-oriented approach. Embracing the opportunities and challenges of the new era,and integrating sponge city initiatives with resilient city development, we advocate for systematic governance, a focus on bottom-line thinking, and a commitment to innovative approaches. Through comprehensive planning and concerted efforts, we aim to enhance our capacity to prevent flood and drought disasters and ensure water security.