Baotou in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region has been making efforts to develop itself into a sponge city, gradually integrating the concept of a sponge city into all aspects of its urban planning, construction, and management, according to local media reports.

A sponge city is a concept which uses parks, wetlands, and drainage systems to collect, filter, and store rainwater, while removing the excess from built-up areas.

The initiative aims to solve urban flooding, water pollution, environmental destruction and wastage of water resources by tightening regulations in water safety aspects including environment, ecology, resources and institutional construction.

In 2016, Baotou city planned and compiled the "Special Plan for Sponge City of Baotou City (2016-2020)", which was approved for implementation in 2017.

According to the special plan, the annual runoff control rate in the newly built area of the Baotou central urban area should be 85 percent while the annual runoff control rate in the old city reconstruction area should be 80 percent by 2020.

Through years of development, Baotou has improved its ability to use, regulate, and absorb rainwater, and has become a frontrunner in water conservation with new development concepts in China.

The city will next attempt to improve its sponge city construction plan and guidelines, improve the seepage and water storage functions of buildings, communities, roads, squares, and green spaces, make full use of urban mountains, rivers, lakes, and wetlands to conserve water, and start construction of a number of demonstration projects.