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Given the greater risk of flooding in cities due to climate change, spatial planning systems are increasingly expected to contribute to flood resilience. However, incorporating expanded adaption measures in conventional planning practices remains a major challenge due to institutional barriers. Based on the theories of historical institutionalism in relation to path divergence, this paper aims to understand the factors which determine the fate of innovations and departures from established practice. Using Guangzhou as a case study, the paper traces the history of the city's struggle against flooding from the 1920s onwards, building on documentary analysis, mapping and interviews. The findings highlight a deeply rooted attachment to engineering-based solutions to tackle flood risk. It also indicates that departing from an established path to embed nature-based and non-structural solutions in the planning system is more likely to take place in response to changing socio-economic needs and strong institutional support for changes, rather than in response to major flooding events. These findings provide lessons for policymakers and urban planners seeking to enact new policies to enhance flood resilience in spatial planning. • This paper explores the historical experience of Guangzhou's spatial planning system strving for flood resilience as well as the evolution of planning policies and flood governance. • This study brings with the notion path dependence and path deviation, originating from social science and governance management, to research on the change and continuity of planning policies. • This paper explores the conditions allowing for path deviation concerning institutional environment, socio-economic context and natural hazards. • This paper offers a theoretical framework for planning to act upon flood affairs through avoidance, defence, mitigation, preparation and evacuation. • This paper discusses the challenges of the Sponge City Programme and sheds light on the conditions for a successful transition from the current situation to new "Sponge City" practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]