By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Asian cities are increasingly looking to traditional agricultural techniques, such as rice terraces, to help manage flooding, absorb rainwater, and purify water. Landscape architect Kotchakorn Voraakhom, who experienced severe flooding in Bangkok both as a child and an adult, has been inspired by these age old methods. Voraakhom’s company, Landprocess, designs urban spaces like parks and green roofs that enhance flood resilience.
One of Voraakhom's notable projects is a university roof in Bangkok, modeled after rice terraces. This green roof captures rainwater, mitigates runoff, and reduces building temperatures. Built in 2019, it became Asia's largest urban rooftop farm, incorporating 7,000 square meters of organic farming space.
Rice terraces, practiced in Asia for over 5,000 years, maximize land use on hillsides and efficiently manage water. They are key elements in Yu Kongjian’s “sponge city” concept, which promotes using soil and greenery over concrete for flood control. Yu has implemented over 500 such projects in China, including parks that effectively manage floodwaters and purify polluted water.
Vietnamese architect Doan Thanh Ha also integrates traditional agricultural wisdom into eco friendly building designs. His projects include homes with rice terrace inspired roofs and floating houses for flood prone areas.
Asian cities face increasing climate challenges, with intensified monsoons, typhoons, and rising sea levels exacerbating urban flooding. Traditional rice terrace techniques offer valuable solutions. These methods could even be adapted for other regions, such as Europe, to manage rainfall and flooding.
The growing trend towards “green” infrastructure, while debated for its efficacy compared to conventional “grey” solutions like dams and pipes, highlights a shift towards nature based strategies. Experts suggest integrating both approaches, leveraging green infrastructure to manage typical floods and grey infrastructure for more severe events.
Ultimately, the aim is to reestablish a natural water cycle in urban areas, fostering resilience against climate unpredictability. By drawing on ancestral wisdom, cities can better adapt to environmental changes, promoting sustainable and harmonious coexistence with natural water cycles.
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