​International scholars praise Xixian's sponge city development

Fifteen scholars from international security think tanks representing 14 countries, including Russia, Ethiopia, and Italy, visited the sponge city research and experiment center in Xi'an's Xixian New Area on June 1 for field research, focusing on urban aquatic ecosystem governance, rain and flood resource utilization, and resilient city development.

Xixian is one of China's pilot zones for sponge city construction. Following years of research, it has developed a technical system that covers urban aquatic ecological restoration, rainwater collection and reuse, and comprehensive urban flood control.

The delegation toured thematic display boards, panoramic sand tables, technical models, and case exhibition zones at the research center, gaining a comprehensive overview of Xixian's sponge city initiative from top-level design and technical breakthroughs to on-site project implementation.

The scholars showed keen interest in systematic urban rain-flood management solutions and inquired in detail about specific practices adopted by Xixian to tackle urban flooding, alleviate water shortages, and restore aquatic ecosystems.

They said Xixian's sponge city development features scientific rationale, systematic planning, and practical operability, offering valuable "Chinese solutions" for cities worldwide to cope with extreme rainfall, optimize water resource allocation, and advance green sustainable development.

They hoped to promote experience sharing and academic cooperation with China on urban ecological governance, and to explore new pathways for urban development that foster harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.