The city of Changzhi in North China's Shanxi province has accelerated the systematic construction of a sponge city.

Last year, Changzhi was recognized as a national demonstration city for the construction of a sponge city – a new-generation urban rainwater management concept wherein a city functions like a sponge and is flexible in adapting to environmental changes and responding to natural disasters caused by torrential rain. 

In February this year, the city sped up the construction of 20 rain and sewage diversion projects based around the sponge city concept.

The renovation of rain and sewage diversion pipelines can help solve urban infrastructure and urban waterlogging problems and eliminate black and odorous water bodies, thereby improving drainage. 

Eight of the 20 projects have been completed so far and two projects are about to start.