Intensifying sponge cities development to tackle flooding: evidence from Central and Southern European cities

Central and Southern European countries have been experiencing frequent flooding due to climate change’s adverse effects. Despite this unpleasant issue, the rapid development of sponge-city projects (SCP) to tackle this problem has not been forthcoming. This study examines measures to help intensify the rapid development of SCPs to tackle frequent flooding in these countries. The study’s objective is achieved with heterogeneous panel data (quarterly data, 2015–2024) for 24 Central and Southern European countries, with the use of Panel ARDL (Pooled Mean Group, PMG, model) for the analysis. The study’s result indicates that the advisory role of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for SCPs, intensifying investment in SCPs and ensuring SCPs implementation will contribute significantly towards reducing flooding in these countries both in the short and long run time periods. The study recommends that governments and other stakeholders should intensify their investment in SCPs that border on green infrastructure projects, including green roofs, water retention basins, underground storage systems, permeable pavements, rainwater harvesting systems and urban wetlands, should all be well integrated into urban redevelopment and climate adaptation plans to deal with the issue of flooding.