Sponge Cities for Climate Resilience – Why Blue-Green Works Better than Gray

Most cities and regions are not prepared for the extreme weather events we increasingly face: prolonged droughts, sudden storms, and intense heatwaves. Urban densification and the loss of natural areas intensify these impacts—cloudbursts, heat extremes, insufficient groundwater recharge, and water scarcity. Climate change is accelerating, and its consequences for cities, industries, and communities are becoming more critical every year.

The message is clear: better solutions are available, and we cannot afford to wait too long for new regulations. Blue-Green Infrastructure must be implemented earlier, at larger scales, and in more integrated ways. Public awareness, political support, and circular investment models are essential. Cities are built for people, so added values - beauty, biophilic benefits, and mental well-being - must be recognized and communicated.