“Chengdu is the ideal place,” declared Michel Lino, Chair of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD), during the 28th ICOLD Congress held last week in Chengdu. It was here that the organization released its latest and most forward-looking declaration: The World Chengdu Declaration – The Role of Dams in Energy Transition and Climate Adaptation.
This marked the fourth global declaration by ICOLD, and the first ever to be named after a city—highlighting Chengdu’s growing influence in sustainable water engineering and green development.
A Historic Legacy in Water Management
Chengdu’s legacy in hydraulic engineering dates back over two millennia. In 256 BCE, during the Qin Dynasty, governor Li Bing oversaw the construction of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a dam-free water diversion project that brought both flood control and irrigation to the Chengdu Plain. Its brilliance lies in its simplicity and sustainability.
“This is a genius design,” said Michel Lino. “Dujiangyan is world-famous, not only for its historical value but because it’s still functioning and benefiting people today.”
Frédéric Kreich, ICOLD’s Secretary-General, echoed the admiration: “The ingenuity of its structure, still effective after more than 2,000 years, is a global inspiration for dam construction.”
A Modern Hub for Large-Scale Dam Projects
Today, Chengdu and greater Sichuan Province remain at the forefront of global dam engineering. The region is home to over 8,000 reservoirs and dams, including more than 10 mega-dams between 200 and 300 meters in height—such as Wudongde, Baihetan, Jinping I, and Shuangjiangkou—representing half of China’s ultra-high dams.
Beyond scale, innovation thrives. For instance, Jiulong Reservoir, located in eastern Chengdu, has successfully completed over 5 kilometers of shield tunneling through high-gas geological layers—setting a national precedent. Meanwhile, Lijiayan Reservoir, Chengdu’s second water source, has integrated digital twin technology, transforming it into what engineers call a “thinking dam” that monitors and responds to environmental data in real time.
Innovation Backed by Talent and Research
During the congress, Chengdu-based experts led discussions on dam construction in complex geological conditions, sharing new research and best practices with global peers. Notably, a recently patented underwater rapid concrete curing agent, co-developed by Dujiangyan Water Development Center and China Hydropower Foundation Bureau, improves erosion resistance by over 50%, opening new possibilities for underwater dam repair and construction.
Chengdu is also home to leading institutions in water engineering, including Sichuan University, Chengdu University of Technology, and Sichuan Water Conservancy College, as well as major research and design firms. These institutions not only provide talent for China’s domestic projects but increasingly contribute to international water engineering solutions.
Aligning with Green Urban Development
The Chengdu Declaration’s focus on clean energy and river ecosystem protection aligns closely with Chengdu’s long-term strategy of building a “park city” through water-centered urban development.
Earlier this year, the Chengdu Municipal Government approved a new master plan for modern water infrastructure, which outlines the creation of three interconnected systems: an ecological irrigation and drainage network, clean and green river-lake ecosystems, and an AI-powered digital twin water network.
Projects like Night Tour Jinjiang, which combines tourism with waterfront ecology, attract over 10 million visitors annually and serve as national models for integrating water with transport and tourism. Meanwhile, rural “water villages” around Chengdu are turning ecological water management into new economic value through eco-tourism and agri-tech.
From Ancient Wisdom to Global Leadership
From the visionary design of Dujiangyan to the innovation of smart dams, Chengdu has continuously demonstrated its commitment to mastering water. It is a city where history, innovation, and sustainability intersect—a place now recognized globally as a leader in water infrastructure and green energy transition.
With the Chengdu Declaration now a part of international policy dialogue, Chengdu is no longer just an ancient city of rivers—it is a modern capital of water engineering, shaping a cleaner, more resilient future for all.
