Evolution of Urban Flooding in China

Abstract

With the rapid development of cities in China, urban flooding becomes a growing problem, which not only affect the living quality of the public, but also threatens urban safety. Recently, urban flooding is attached more attention. By analyzing and summarizing urban flooding data from recent decades, which includes frequency, scope of influence, and losses, the causes and status quo of urban flooding problems in China is generalized from varied perspectives of urban climate change, urban planning, urban construction, urban management and policy. The data shows that the number of cities suffered from urban flooding increased by approximately 30 % since 1980s, while the average frequency of urban flood increased from nearly 1 time in every 2 years to more than 3 times per year in some major cities that face serious urban flooding risks. Even for those cities located in west-northern and semi-arid regions, such as Taiyuan in Shanxi province, they also suffered from urban flooding. Prevention and control measures like the constriction of sponge city, the upgrade of drainage system, and the promotion of relative policies are suggested.