Rapid urbanization and climate change pose significant challenges to urban water
management, exacerbating flood risks, water pollution, and ecological degradation.
Traditional grey infrastructure solutions, while widely implemented, often fail to address the root causes of these issues and lack long-term sustainability. 

Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) have emerged as a promising alternative, integrating ecological and engineered systems to enhance urban resilience. The Sponge City Concept (SCC), a key NbS strategy, improves urban water retention, infiltration, and purification by mimicking natural hydrological cycles.

Combined with low-impact development (LID) techniques such as green roofs, permeable pavements, and bioswales, SCC mitigates urban flooding and enhances water quality. Macao SAR, a highly urbanised and flood-prone region, faces compounded challenges due to climate change and geographic vulnerabilities.

This study explores the integration of NbS and SCC to develop a sustainable urban water management framework for Macao. Key objectives include assessing the effectiveness of NbS and LID interventions, evaluating the role of mangroves in flood mitigation and water quality and analysing microbial biodiversity in NbS systems.

Findings from this research aim to inform policy recommendations, advance science and technology, and contribute to Macao’s transition towards a climate-resilient urban landscape.