As the bustling metropolis of Tokyo faces the ever-present threat of a major earthquake, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has embarked on an ambitious mission: to eradicate clusters of aging wooden houses by the 2040s. This strategic move is aimed at fortifying the city against potential catastrophe and safeguarding its residents from the devastating aftermath of seismic events.
As of 2020, Tokyo bore the burden of approximately 8,600 hectares of densely populated regions characterized by these vulnerable wooden structures. These areas, in the event of a substantial quake, are poised to endure severe damage. An unsettling precedent underscores the urgency of this endeavor: during a significant earthquake that struck Tokyo and its environs a century ago, a catastrophic fire claimed the lives of some 92,000 individuals within such districts.
The origins of these zones can be traced back to the aftermath of the 1923 quake, which compelled displaced individuals and reconstruction laborers to erect homes in peripheral vicinities. These locales are now synonymous with the prevalence of antiquated wooden dwellings that dot the landscape.
In the aftermath of World War II, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government set forth grand aspirations of substantial urban redevelopment, encompassing regions heavily populated with wooden houses. Unfortunately, financial constraints cast a shadow over this initiative, resulting in a majority of the areas remaining untouched by progress. A metropolitan official lamented this reality, stating, “Areas that were fortunate to escape the ravages of disaster and conflict have, regrettably, remained stagnant.”
A turning point emerged in 2013, with the metropolitan government taking proactive measures to revitalize the landscape by incentivizing the replacement of antiquated wooden houses. These incentives, ranging from subsidies to tax breaks, were concentrated in designated zones that required intensive attention.
Remarkably, these efforts bore fruit, leading to a reduction in the expanse of wooden house-dense areas in Tokyo. The scale diminished from approximately 24,000 hectares in 1996 to around 8,600 hectares by 2020, signifying significant progress. However, the ultimate objective of complete eradication remains distant.
The challenges inherent in these zones are multifaceted. The narrowness of roads and the intricacies of land ownership rights pose obstacles to reconstruction and road expansion. Negotiations involving various stakeholders, including homeowners and tenants, contribute to the complexity of the situation. A metropolitan government official elucidated, “Engaging with a multitude of parties, ranging from property owners to tenants, presents a formidable task.”
On a national scale, Tokyo’s plight is mirrored. By the close of fiscal year 2022, the country harbored 1,875 hectares of urban regions marked by high vulnerability to the rapid spread of fires during disasters. Additionally, these regions were characterized by narrow roads that impeded swift evacuation. This figure, although a significant decrease from the 5,745 hectares recorded in fiscal year 2012, serves as a testament to the persistent challenges that lie ahead.
In conclusion, Tokyo’s determined campaign to eliminate pockets of wooden house congestion by the 2040s embodies a critical step towards enhancing the city’s resilience in the face of seismic threats. By addressing the vulnerabilities posed by these aging structures, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government seeks to mitigate the potential devastation and loss that could result from future earthquakes. This endeavor stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to safeguarding its inhabitants and fortifying its future against the unpredictable forces of nature.
© TheJapanTimes
