Editor’s Note:

    Water is the lifeline of urban survival and the key to shaping its sustainable future. However, under the pressure of worsening climate change, frequent extreme weather and urban expansion, cities are facing growing water crisis - floods, water resource shortages and water ecological degradation coexist, threatening urban safety, ecology and the well-being of residents.

Under such circumstances, innovation in urban water governance has evolved from a fundamental safeguard to a core metric for assessing a city's resilience and sustainable development capacity. It not only serves as the cornerstone for ensuring water security but also enhances urban resilience against floods and droughts through systematic management strategies. Furthermore, it restores aquatic ecosystems, optimizes water resource recycling, and ultimately improves the habitability and equity of human settlements. This directly advances the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals—particularly clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.

This edition of In Focus spotlights outstanding water governance cases from past Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation. Featured initiatives range from revitalizing ancient Roman aqueducts to building smart rain cities; from green infrastructure combating stormwater to deep tunnel projects preventing floods. Despite their diverse approaches, these cases all share innovative thinking that respects nature, blends wisdom, and fosters collaboration, providing key pathways towards building sustainable and resilient urban futures.

Chalandri, Greece

Ancient Engineering of Sustainable Water Management Meets Urban Innovation Through Citizens’ Participation

(2023 Guangzhou Award Winning Initiative)

As the aqueduct was rerouted, the project helped advance green city policies and sustainable water management. It transformed four Chalandri neighborhoods, creating new high-quality green public spaces. It also reused the still-functioning aqueduct water for irrigation, replacing the previous use of drinking water.

The project used a participatory and inclusive approach for design and implementation, bringing the local monument back to life and giving the Chalandri community new energy. Furthermore, the local economy grew through resilient, locally-driven development. This changed the previous model that relied heavily on tourism, avoiding the problems of increased pressure on city resources and damage to community spirit and belonging.

Learn more：guangzhouaward.org/a/3361.html

Suwon, Republic of Korea

Smart Rain City Suwon

(2020 Guangzhou Award Deserving Initiative)

Suwon City, the capital and largest city of Gyeonggi-do with 1.23 million people, has high levels of industrialization and urbanization. This caused problems: increased soil hardening, reduced green and water catchment areas, higher flood risk, and water shortages. To reverse this trend, the city launched the "Smart Rain City Suwon" project.

This project evolved from the "Rain City Suwon" project and was implemented in four phases. Phase 1 focused on project planning and raising public awareness. In Phases 2 and 3, the city used residents' input and environmental data analysis to plan and implement policies and infrastructure. It built various rainwater collection and reuse facilities like permeable pavements, rain gardens, and roadside sprinkler systems. The final phase focused on making the project "smart," integrating the rainwater management system with information technology, especially the Internet of Things, for unified management of Suwon's smart city infrastructure.

After implementation, rainwater soaking into the city's pavements increased by 65%, surface runoff decreased by 49%, and significant water savings were achieved annually. Additionally, the city used data from smart rain facilities and sensors to propose environmental improvements, like reducing dust in the air and cooling the city to improve air quality.

Learn more：guangzhouaward.org/a/1474.html

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen Cloudburst Management Plan, Managing Heavy Rains and Stormwater in Copenhagen

(2020 Guangzhou Award Deserving Initiative)

Copenhagen, a rainy coastal city with over 630,000 people, frequently experienced overflows of sewage and drainage due to insufficient rainwater management, causing environmental and economic harm. To solve this, the city launched the "Copenhagen Cloudburst Management Plan."

The plan aims to complete 350 heavy rain projects citywide by 2035. Instead of relying only on traditional "grey" underground pipes, it mainly manages rainwater through surface changes, building "blue" (water) and "green" infrastructure. This improves the city's ability to handle heavy rain while creating public recreational spaces. Tasinge Plads (Tasinge Square) was the first demonstration site, where 1000 square meters of unused asphalt was turned into green space. Following the land's shape, various plants and trees were planted near the lake and slopes, providing habitat for birds and insects and helping restore the square's ecosystem.

Because the plan involves significant area changes tailored to local conditions and residents' needs, the city held public meetings and hearings to gather ideas for creating useful green spaces. The surface projects add more green recreational areas to the city and increase biodiversity. 

Learn more：guangzhouaward.org/a/1454.html

Bucheon, Republic of Korea

Climate-Resilient City

(2018 Guangzhou Award Deserving Initiative)

Bucheon City in South Korea transformed from a severe flood disaster area to a model of climate resilience through innovative water management. After a 2010 storm caused 7.9 billion KRW in damage, the city worked with the Ministry of Environment, Korea Environment Corporation, and 5000 citizens to build South Korea's first giant underground water storage tunnel. This tunnel, 10 meters deep and 1.1 km long, was built using shield tunneling (without blasting). It can handle rainfall of 91mm per hour and successfully managed a 70mm/hour storm in 2017, preventing 138.2 billion KRW in flood damage.

Simultaneously, the project restored a river covered by a road. Treated wastewater (recycled water) was channeled into the river, improving its quality to national Class 2 standards and creating an ecological corridor through the city. The shield tunneling technique, combined with a real-time flood prediction system and a dual drainage design, formed a technological flood control network. The Bucheon Dulle-gil-trail connects to waterfront paths, making Bucheon a healing city where citizens can enjoy walking amidst Blue (water) + White (wind) + Green (greenery) + Gold (soil).

Results exceeded expectations: river areas became 3°C cooler in summer, attracting 19 bird species; nearby property values rose 15-27%, and biodiversity increased significantly. Bucheon's ecological green spaces continue to expand, scattered throughout the downtown area with clean water flowing between buildings. This transformation turned Bucheon from a "city people wanted to leave" into a "city people want to live in."

Learn more：guangzhouaward.org/a/897.html

Malang, Indonesia

"Water Banking Movement", Transforming Glintung Go Green from Flood Risk Area

(2016 Guangzhou Award Shortlisted Initiative)

The "Water Banking Movement" within the "Glintung Go Green" initiative is a community-led innovation in Malang City, Indonesia, aiming to transform a long flood-plagued community into a model of climate resilience. With government policy support and technical help from Brawijaya University, the project creatively combined environmental action with community governance: residents had to plant trees and dig water-absorbing bio-pores at their homes to access administrative services. It also made full use of waste materials to develop low-cost water catchment systems and vertical gardens.

The project significantly reduced flood threats, raised the groundwater level by 2 meters, and lowered the community temperature by 2°C through large-scale greening. It also spurred green economic development: organic farming and homestays helped community funds grow from 5 million IDR to 100 million IDR, mainly from waste recycling profits. Its innovative model reshaped community culture, increased women's participation, and won Malang City's "Green Campong Competitions," becoming a national model.

By integrating administrative innovation, resource recycling, and collaboration between communities, academia, and government, the project achieved three goals: environmental restoration, economic income generation, and community empowerment. It provides a replicable local transformation model for climate-vulnerable communities worldwide.

Learn more：guangzhouaward.org/a/345.html