Making cities 'spongy' could help fight flooding — by steering the water underground
Almost all of China's medium and large cities are susceptible to floods. Some experts are promoting a solution called sponge cities — urban landscapes that are softer and meant to absorb more water.
JINHUA, China — In the shade of a willow tree, Li Tao and his buddy dabble lines in a slow-moving river channel and occasionally pull out a tiny fish.
"It's good to have a place like this for people to relax," says Li, his shirt off in the midday heat.
This place — called Baisha Creek — has come full circle.
The bank used to be concrete, but several years ago, work began to restore wetlands here. Rushes now grow in tall stands, and on islands in the river, weeds thrive on the shallow bank and cicadas buzz in the trees.
Yu Kongjian, the man behind the project, describes a
