Guangzhou is the latest Chinese city to become a "sponge city", after revealing plans to ensure 80 percent of its built-up areas contain vegetation capable of absorbing water to minimize soil erosion.

According to the program, released on July 6, the Guangdong province capital will make use of a wide range of measures such as trapping and purifying rainwater and flood drainage so as to ensure that 70 percent of rainwater is reused.

A map of short-term key construction projects for Guangzhou's sponge city program. [Photo/gzdaily.dayoo.com]

The city's short-term goals focus on ensuring there is 10.15 percent water coverage in urban areas as well as 42.5 percent forest. The long-term will look to secure as much as 11 percent water cover and 44.15 percent forest cover in built-up areas.

The program also details plans to build 73 sponge parks throughout the city, aiming to reduce disruption caused by flooding during the rainy season.

Haizhu Wetland Park has become one of the important parks in Guangzhou to retain and reuse rainwater. [Photo/southcn.com] 

Additionally, all construction projects carried out in the metropolis will require a 50 percent sunken green belt as well as facilities which can drain whatever within 24 hours.

In recent years, China has sought to address water conservation by introducing it sponge city program. It focuses on ensuring greater permeable surfaces and infrastructure so that more rain water can be absorbed into the ground and reused.

As of figures released in 2016, there are more than 30 official sponge cities in China, with the government planning for 80 percent of Chinese cities to meet sponge-city standards by 2030.  

Daguan Wetland Park in Tianhe district has become the first pilot sponge park in Guangzhou. [Photo/gzdaily.dayoo.com]