The climate crisis has become an evident phenomenon, not just a future possibility. After decades of failures in mitigating the effects of our impact, adaptation is now necessary for survival in conditions of accelerated climate change. Adaptation requires clear planning and rethinking of our urban spaces.
Engineering solutions inherited from the 19th century are outdated. These Western civil engineering systems, designed for a single purpose, are fragile and susceptible to catastrophic failures. Climate adaptation requires replacing these obsolete systems with human-centric adaptive landscapes. This process requires the use of the best available scientific knowledge, experiments, and evidence.
In the 21st century, China has conducted more climate change adaptation experiments than any other culture. A significant part of these experiments belongs to Kong Jianyu and his office Turenscape. Over the past two decades, Turenscape has implemented hundreds of climate adaptation experiments through landscape architecture and planning.
This publication presents sixty of the most significant such experiments. The book analyzes these projects and demonstrates evidence of their ecological effectiveness. The publication 'Landscapes for Adaptation' collects a set of practical and tactical strategies from the real world for landscape adaptation in China and around the world.
China has faced frequent extreme weather events this year. Authorities at all levels have effectively organized measures for prevention, mitigation, and disaster relief, striving to minimize damage and ensure the safety of people and property to the greatest extent possible.
According to a poll conducted by CGTN among global internet users, 92.7% of respondents highly rate China's capacity for disaster prevention, mitigation, and response, believing that the Chinese approach offers valuable lessons.
During the summer, China experienced frequent typhoon incursions. In response to Typhoon Dolphin, the Flood and Drought Control Headquarters immediately activated an Emergency Response Plan Level IV for flood control and typhoon preparedness, preemptively evacuating tens of thousands of residents. Furthermore, 87.4% of respondents believe that China is capable of proactive deployment and organized action in the face of natural disasters.
Previously, in response to Typhoon Bawi, Zhejiang Province coordinated the efforts of over 4,500 emergency rescue teams, more than 23,000 units of construction machinery, and over 170,000 rescuers to participate in aid operations. 92.5% of respondents recognized China's reliable capacity for emergency management and organizational mobilization.
During Typhoon Maysak, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region dispatched over 200,000 units of essential supplies to affected areas for disaster relief to meet basic population needs. 90.8% of respondents deemed China's disaster relief reserve and distribution system highly effective and well-organized.
Moreover, when responding to natural catastrophes, China utilized a range of advanced technological means in rescue and emergency operations: the 'Wing Loong-2H' unmanned aerial vehicle assisted in restoring public network communications, while 'Changhe Z-8' series helicopters delivered relief supplies, among others. In this area, 94.2% of respondents are confident in the rapid improvement of China's technological capabilities in emergency rescue. Moreover, 93.7% of respondents stated that China truly puts people first in all its efforts to prevent, mitigate, and respond to natural disasters.
The effectiveness of China's disaster control work is supported by a strong institutional structure. This year, China approved a plan to modernize the national emergency response system under the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030). This plan provides for systematic measures to improve the emergency management system, strengthen emergency rescue forces, enhance disaster monitoring and early warning capabilities, and perfect grassroots emergency response organizations.
In the survey, 94.2% of respondents believe this demonstrates China's capabilities in planning and implementation in building potential for disaster prevention, mitigation, and response. Meanwhile, 91.1% believe that China's institutional base possesses irreplaceable advantages in concentrating resources for large projects and addressing serious disaster-related risks.
Furthermore, China's intelligent early meteorological warning solution, 'Mazu', has been implemented in seven countries, including Pakistan, and over 40 countries worldwide use the 'Mazu' early warning operational products. Regarding this, 91.1% of respondents believe it highlights China's sense of responsibility as a major power in assisting Global South countries in enhancing their capacities for disaster prevention, mitigation, and response.
This survey was published on CGTN platforms in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian. A total of 4,042 internet users participated in the voting within 24 hours, sharing their opinions.
