International Summer School on "Sponge City Governance

A five-day intensive program of specialized coursework will be arranged. Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

Understand hydrological processes: demonstrate an understanding of hydrology at urban, site, and landscape scales.

Apply Low Impact Development (LID) principles: explore and implement nature-based solutions to mitigate urban flooding and improve water quality.

Evaluate research and design methods: critically assess and select appropriate planning, design, and research approaches for stormwater management projects.

Understand hydrological modeling: demonstrate knowledge of hydrological and hydraulic models used in both conventional drainage systems and nature-based solutions.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of sponge city governance, highlighting the transformative role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in addressing climate change, urban flooding, and water quality challenges while promoting sustainable development. Students from diverse disciplines will gain hands-on experience and critical insights through theoretical and methodological study, bridging the gap between theory and practice and contributing to the field. Participants will also engage in discussions with designers, administrators, community members, and contractors to gain multi-perspective insights into sponge city governance.

A three-day field trip to Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, will also be arranged. Zhenjiang was among the first cities selected for China’s 2015 Sponge City pilot program. The citywide implementation of Low Impact Development (LID) strategies has effectively prevented urban flooding, even during 30-year return-period rainfall events. Participants will observe a range of innovative approaches designed to reduce urban flooding, improve water quality, and restore biodiversity in dense urban environments.

At the end of the program, participants will complete a paper applying the course’s theories and methodologies to their own research or projects, demonstrating well-justified theoretical and methodological choices. The paper will integrate relevant governance theories, substantiate the methodological approach, and provide critical reflection and in-depth analysis of governance prospects and challenges.

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Course Teaching and Academic Activity Arrangements

(1) Core Course Modules

Frontiers in Fundamental Theory

Course 1: The South China Sea–Indian Ocean Circulation System and Multiscale Interactions (including satellite remote sensing and numerical modeling)

Course 2: Tropical Marine Biogeochemical Cycles and Carbon Sink Potential Assessment

Technical Methods and Practice

Course 3: The Development and Future Directions of the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)

Course 4: Applications of Machine Learning in Marine Big Data Analysis

Interdisciplinary Integration

Course 5: Ocean Policy and Global Governance (Blue Economy and case studies in international maritime law)

Course 6: Life in Deep-Sea Extreme Environments and Resource Development (genome sequencing technologies and microbial resource utilization)

(2) Featured Academic Activities

Using the Zhuhai Yun unmanned vessel or other research ships, participants will conduct field observations in the Pearl River Estuary, with hands-on training in CTD water sampling, sediment sampling, and in-situ experiments. Cultural activities—including an exhibition on the Maritime Silk Road and Lingnan maritime folk culture experiences—will be organized to promote cross-cultural understanding and teamwork.