Copenhagen has become a global model for climate adaptation by transforming itself into a “sponge city.” The shift began after July 2011, when a torrential storm caused more than $2 billion in damage, exposing the Danish capital’s vulnerability to extreme rainfall. In response, the city launched its Cloudburst Management Plan, a long-term urban redesign to absorb and redirect stormwater. Hundreds of projects have since been implemented, ranging from small-scale green roofs, bioswales, and permeable courtyards to large parks and underground tunnels. Spaces like Enghaveparken, designed to temporarily hold floodwater, and the Karen Blixen Square, built with permeable paving, showcase how green and grey infrastructure can work together to reduce flood risks. The strategy reflects a broader trend in urban resilience: working with nature instead of against it. By expanding green areas, planting water-absorbing vegetation, and integrating smart drainage systems, Copenhagen aims to protect its citizens from more frequent cloudbursts and rising sea levels. Climate experts warn that by 2050, extreme floods will double in frequency in 40% of the world’s cities. With 4.5 billion people now living in urban areas, Copenhagen’s sponge city approach offers a blueprint for combining sustainability, safety, and quality of life in the face of climate change.
