FT Rethink

Absorbing Risk: How cities are turning into flood water sponges

Cities across the world are turning themselves into vast sponges. Custom built wetlands, rooftop gardens that filter or recycle water, and porous building materials are just three ways that Sponge Cities are preparing for the water emergencies, and soaring insurance costs, brought about by climate change.

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FT Rethink

FT Channels, a partnership destination that combines impactful and enriching multimedia content to spark curiosity and encourage discovery. Each vertical brings expert insights from the Financial Times and our Partners into the most pressing issues of our time.


FT Rethink series focuses on the people, technology, strategies and systems moving us from an economy that is wasteful, idle, lopsided and dirty towards one that is circular, lean, inclusive and clean. The channel alternates between independent reporting from FT journalists and business perspectives from Lombard Odier