Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — A delegation from Uzbekistan, led by Jalol Arashov, First Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, is studying modern rainwater management and urban flood prevention technologies in the Chinese city of Fuzhou.
The visit was organised at the invitation of China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development as part of World Cities Day 2026, the Uzbek ministry’s press service reported.
The main purpose of the trip is to examine China’s experience in developing modern drainage systems and assess the potential for applying similar solutions in Tashkent and other Uzbek cities.
As part of the programme, the delegation visited infrastructure facilities for collecting and draining rainwater and examined technologies used under the Sponge City concept. This approach involves the natural absorption, filtration and storage of rainwater in urban areas.
The Chinese side presented technology for temporarily storing rainwater in underground reservoirs before gradually releasing it.
The delegation was shown examples of such facilities built beneath car parks, allowing underground space to be used efficiently in densely developed urban areas.
The visitors also toured a city park where drainage infrastructure is integrated with public recreational areas.
Particular attention was paid to digital solutions for managing urban water systems.
The delegation was shown centralised monitoring systems, flood risk forecasting tools and robotic cameras used to inspect the condition of pipelines. Mechanisms for responding promptly to flood threats and other emergencies were also presented.
During the visit, the Uzbek delegation exchanged views with Chinese engineers and designers on the planning, construction and operation of drainage infrastructure.
The technologies studied are expected to be taken into account when preparing proposals to develop urban drainage systems in Uzbekistan.
The stated objectives include reducing the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall and creating a safer and more comfortable urban environment.
