In today’s world, faced with the threats of climate change and extreme weather events, high marks are given to those cities that are built for residents’ well-being, even in the face of hazards.
As a place to live, work, study and travel, Tokyo, ranked second on the Savills Resilient Cities Index for 2024, is uniquely placed to provide resilience because of its experience of rebuilding after natural disasters. During the Great Kanto earthquake in 1923, nearly half of the city was destroyed by fire. In the process of rebuilding, Tokyo developed new parks, schools, roads, bridges and housing, transforming itself into a modern city and laying the foundation for the Tokyo we know today, a century after the disaster.
“Building on the spirit of our predecessors, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has steadily achieved results on city resilience by enhancing a wide range of measures,” Kiyotoshi Koga, Director for Project Promotion, Planning and Coordination Division, Office of the Governor for Policy Planning says. “These include planned implementation of various infrastructure projects to prepare for disasters like earthquakes and floods, and promoting initiatives that encourage self-help and mutual aid.”
AloJapan.com