Enlightenment from flood disasters and flood control evolution in Wuzhou City, Guangxi

By examining the urban transformation and flood evolution in Wuzhou City, Guangxi, this study analyzes flood control strategies and disaster mitigation measures across different historical periods. The city's water management philosophy has evolved through four stages: from ancient passive adaptation of "building on high ground," to active adaptation of "competing with floods and coexisting with them" after the 1924 city wall demolition, to engineered flood defenses built in the 1990s, and finally to the contemporary approach of "taking the initiative and managing floods. " Wuzhou's practice demonstrates that achieving harmonious coexistence between humans and floods requires tailored solutions that leverage natural conditions, urban planning, architectural design, and other means to maximize the comprehensive functions of flood control projects. This has developed an integrated disaster reduction system for coexisting with and actively adapting to floods. The experience offers valuable insights and references for advancing China's urban flood safety system.