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Implementing Water Policies in China: A Policy Cycle Analysis of the Sponge City Program Using Two Case Studies

Author

Listed:
  • Xiao Liang

    (College of Economics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Yuqing Liang

    (College of Management, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China)

  • Chong Chen

    (Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510045, China)

  • Meine Pieter van Dijk

    (International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, 2518AX The Hague, The Netherlands)

Abstract
This study carries out an in-depth analysis of urban water policy implementation in China through a policy cycle analysis and case study of Sponge city program. The policy cycle analysis articulates discrete steps within the policy formulation and implementation process, while the case studies reflect the specific problems in water project implementation. Because of the principal–agent relation between central and local government, a ‘‘double wheel’’ policy cycle model is adopted to reflect the policy cycles at central level and at local level. Changde city and Zhuanghe city, two demo cities in the Sponge city program, are chosen for the analysis. The policy cycle analysis shows that the central government orders local government to implement policy without clear direction on how to attract private sector participation. The evaluation of central government did not include private sector involvement, nor the sustainability of the investments. This promotes the local government’s pursuit of project construction completion objectives, without seriously considering private sector involvement and operation and maintenance (O&M) cost. The local governments do not have political motivation and experiences to attract private investments into project implementation. The case study in the two demo cities shows that local government subsidies are the main source of O&M funding currently, which is not sustainable. The water projects are not financially feasible because no sufficient revenue is generated to cover the high initial investments and O&M cost. The lack of private sector involvement makes it difficult to maintain adequate funding in O&M, leading to the unsustainability of the water projects. It is not easy to achieve private sector involvement, but it could be the key to realizing urban water resilience in a more sustainable way.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao Liang & Yuqing Liang & Chong Chen & Meine Pieter van Dijk, 2020. "Implementing Water Policies in China: A Policy Cycle Analysis of the Sponge City Program Using Two Case Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:13:p:5261-:d:377806
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Xiao Liang, 2018. "Integrated Economic and Financial Analysis of China’s Sponge City Program for Water-resilient Urban Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Meine Pieter van Dijk & Mingshun Zhang, 2019. "RETRACTED: Urban Water Management Paradigms in Chinese Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1, May.
    3. Holden, Carol A. & Lin, Vivian, 2012. "Network structures and their relevance to the policy cycle: A case study of The National Male Health Policy of Australia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(2), pages 228-235.
    4. Seungho Lee, 2010. "Development of Public Private Partnership (PPP) Projects in the Chinese Water Sector," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 24(9), pages 1925-1945, July.
    5. Robert Gibbons, 2005. "Incentives Between Firms (and Within)," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 51(1), pages 2-17, January.
    6. Yan-Fang Sang & Moyuan Yang, 2017. "Urban waterlogs control in China: more effective strategies and actions are needed," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 85(2), pages 1291-1294, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhe Huang & Esther Laurentine Nya & Mohammad Azizur Rahman & Tulinave Burton Mwamila & Viet Cao & Willis Gwenzi & Chicgoua Noubactep, 2021. "Integrated Water Resource Management: Rethinking the Contribution of Rainwater Harvesting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-9, July.
    2. Jian Wang & Fei Xue & Ruiying Jing & Qiaohui Lu & Yilong Huang & Xiang Sun & Wenbo Zhu, 2021. "Regenerating Sponge City to Sponge Watershed through an Innovative Framework for Urban Water Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-36, May.
    3. Heng Zhang & Qian Chang & Sui Li & Jiandong Huang, 2022. "Determining the Efficiency of the Sponge City Construction Pilots in China Based on the DEA-Malmquist Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-17, September.
    4. Yesen Liu & Yaohuan Huang & Jinhong Wan & Zhenshan Yang & Xiaolei Zhang, 2020. "Analysis of Human Activity Impact on Flash Floods in China from 1950 to 2015," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.

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