Jakarta: In March 2025, torrential rains inundated Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, resulting in severe flooding that claimed at least nine lives and displaced 90,000 residents. This disaster echoed the catastrophic floods of 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 60 people. Social media was inundated with footage of the floods, showcasing emergency personnel conducting rescue missions and attempting to clear flooded roads.
According to Global Voices, similar flooding events have afflicted other Southeast Asian cities. In August, parts of Manila, Philippines, experienced unprecedented flooding with rainfall equivalent to five days falling in just an hour. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, faced over a meter of water in September, causing widespread traffic chaos. These events are part of a pattern of extreme weather linked to climate change, exacerbating urban flooding issues in Southeast Asia due to outdated urban planning and low-lying locations.
China has faced similar challenges, with 641 of its 654 largest cities regularly affected by flooding. In response, China introduced the concept of sponge cities in 2013, implementing pilot projects across the country. This approach, proposed by urban architect Yu Kongjian, focuses on cities absorbing and slowly releasing rainwater, rather than quickly draining it away. Yu believes that restoring natural water systems and reducing reliance on grey infrastructure can mitigate flooding.
Yu’s sponge city concept is gaining attention in flood-prone Southeast Asian countries. He highlights the monsoon climate’s uneven rainfall distribution, making conventional water management approaches less effective. Yu argues that cities should adapt to nature, utilizing natural forces for drainage. The sponge city concept has been applied in Bangkok, where the Benjakitti Forest Park demonstrated its effectiveness during a major rainfall event in 2022.
Despite its potential, the sponge city concept faces challenges and controversies. In China, its implementation is often limited to small-scale projects, requiring extensive collaboration and political will for broader impact. Critics argue that the model may not withstand extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. Urban planning expert Hu Gang suggests that comprehensive drainage systems and disaster preparedness plans are essential alongside sponge infrastructure.
In Southeast Asia, financial constraints and space limitations pose obstacles to implementing the sponge city concept. Jakarta’s aging infrastructure and crowded landscape present challenges, while Indonesia’s new capital, Nusantara, offers a potential solution. Set to be a sustainable city, Nusantara plans to incorporate sponge city features, though budget cuts and construction delays raise concerns about its completion.