Dubai has taken a big step toward climate resilience by partnering with Shenzhen, China, to adopt the Sponge City urban model. Announced at the World Governments Summit 2026, the plan aims to stop flooding from heavy rain. Sponge Cities use smart design like permeable pavements, green rooftops, and wetlands to soak up, store, and purify rainwater, avoiding water pooling on roads or stressing traditional sewers. China started this model to fight flooding, water shortages, and city heat caused by too much concrete. In Shenzhen, the system blends natural solutions with technology, using rain gardens, underground reservoirs, and smart drainage to manage water where it falls and reuse it for irrigation and cooling. Dubai’s Sponge City plan is part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan to improve life quality and double green spaces. The city will build Rain Gardens and Bio-Swell zones that hold rainwater visibly and beautifully. Roads and parks will absorb water, green roofs will reduce heat and runoff, and underground tanks will store water for later use. AI-driven systems will predict and manage rainfall better. His Excellency Dawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said this move is about more than cutting floods. "By integrating nature into the drainage strategy, Dubai will see more parks and tree-lined streets that naturally cool the city while managing water." The MoU between Dubai Municipality and Shenzhen's UPDIS covers smart cities, low-carbon growth, and urban planning. Dubai’s Director General Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita explained the partnership helps Dubai learn from world leaders to build sustainable, resilient cities. Yu Lu, UPDIS President, noted both cities are young, fast-growing, and innovation-focused, making the collaboration strong. For residents, Sponge City means no more flooded roads, fewer traffic jams in rains, and greener spaces. H.E. Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary General of the Dubai Executive Council, said the deal shows Dubai’s "proactive governance" to fix future problems now using global teamwork and smart engineering.