Designing Sponge Cities for Multiple Benefits: Integrating Nature Based Solutions to Create Sustainable Places (DeSCIPHER)

Duration: 05/19 - 05/22

With the onset of climate change, cities in China and Europe are now contending with increasing environmental stress and degradation. Designing Sponge Cities for Multiple Benefits: Integrating Nature Based Solutions to Create Sustainable Places (DeSCIPHER) seeks to explore the opportunities of urban greenspace and ‘bluespace’ such as lakes and rivers to alleviate these impacts.

Building on the idea of these natural resources serving as a ‘sponge’ to flooding, air pollution, noise and heat, the research aims to develop a comprehensive evidence base on nature-based solutions (NBS) for cities to adopt. Through a strong emphasis on partnerships and citizen participation, the project will educate and empower a wide range of stakeholders to develop effective NBS approaches to improve their local urban environments.

Michael Hutchins (Principal Investigator)
Stefan Reis
Matthew Jones
Alex Hagen-Zanker
Massimo Vieno
Edward Carnell
James Miller

UKRI Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
Tsinghua University – Department of Hydraulic Engineering
Norwegian Institute of Water Research
Institute of Urban Environment
Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Surrey – Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Oslo – Geosciences

  • Development of a comprehensive evidence base of knowledge and best practices for nature-based solutions in Chinese and European cities.
  • Direct engagement of local communities in data collection and assessment through citizen participation.
  • Outreach activities such as workshops to support links between different stakeholders, such as local authorities and businesses.