A debate at the São Paulo City Hall brought together experts and managers to discuss how nature-inspired solutions can strengthen climate adaptation in cities.
When heavy rain hits concrete-covered soil, water has few options: run off quickly, overload the drainage system, and increase the risk of flooding. The Sponge Cities concept proposes another path: planning urban spaces to retain, absorb, and manage water with the help of nature.
The concept was at the heart of the Kongjian Yu Memorial – “Sponge Cities and Nature-Based Solutions”, held on 09/23/2025 at the headquarters of the São Paulo City Hall, in the Matarazzo Building. Promoted by the Municipal Secretariat for International Relations (SMRI) and the Executive Secretariat for Climate Change (Seclima), the meeting brought together representatives from the public sector, academia, and institutions related to engineering and urban management.
Professor Dr. Maria Alejandra Moreno Pizani, manager of Pecege’s International Department and coordinator of Cepam/Pecege, attended the event at the invitation of the City Hall. During the debates, she highlighted the importance of bridging technical-scientific knowledge, engineering, and public management to translate concepts into municipal policies.
“Transforming our metropolises into Sponge Cities requires combining habitat engineering, a global vision inspired by the Chinese experience, and the continuous training of public managers. Nature-Based Solutions only become lasting public policies when technical and scientific rigor strongly permeates municipal management practice,” states Maria Alejandra.
Among the topics discussed were the “Sponge Planet” philosophy, green infrastructure, and the application of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS). These approaches may include green areas and other interventions to help manage rainwater and enhance urban resilience. However, the choice and implementation of these measures depend on the characteristics and needs of each municipality.
Experts and representatives linked to the University of São Paulo (USP), Mackenzie Presbyterian University, Secovi-SP, ESEG, SP-Urbanismo, and Parque do Bixiga, among other institutions, also participated.
From discussion to municipal scale
One of the challenges raised at the meeting is translating broad concepts into viable plans for each city. This requires technical knowledge, institutional cooperation, and the continuous education of public managers capable of incorporating climate solutions into municipal planning and policies.
Cepam/Pecege also relates this debate to a proposal adapted for Piracicaba and the surrounding region. The project was presented in an interview and videocast published by E&S magazine in 03/2025, according to information released by the institution.
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