Sustainability To Be a Centerpiece of Japan's Rebuilding Effort

Having just returned from a United Nations-led tour of disaster-ravaged areas of Japan, Warren Karlenzig reports on efforts across the region to rebuild along smart growth and green economic development models.

2 minute read

March 6, 2012, 11:00 AM PST

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


With the one-year anniversary of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident fast approaching, Karlenzig recently toured six tsunami-damaged communities and two radiation-impacted cities in Northern Japan as part of a UN Center for Regional Development (UNCRD) fact-finding mission, one of the first (if not the first) from outside the three affected prefectures to meet with local leaders on reconstruction and post-disaster management planning.

Although the full rebuilding effort will not begin for several years due to a number of factors (unstable ground, waste removement, etc.), many communities have already submitted reconstruction plans including land use schemes to the national government, and Karlenzig points to the plans of two particular tsunami-ravaged cities that stand out for being smart growth models.

In Ishinomaki,a pre-tsunami city of about 160,000 which had the most tsunami deaths of any city, "has a plan to virtually wipe clean its remaining 'ghost' downtown to create a mixed-use residential-commercial zone that will be 2-3 times as denser than before," writes Karlenzig. He also sees transit-oriented redesign as a strategy being utilized to keep and attract younger citizens.

With the country scrambling to replace the 25-30% of the nation's energy supply that came from now mostly shuttered nuclear facilities, quickly growing the country's renewable energy production will be of importance nationwide, and as the basis for developing the economies of disaster-ravaged areas.

"Rikuzentakada, a city of 22,000 (2,000 died in the tsunami), is making plans to make 'new energy' a key part of its redevelopment vision. This city which was reported to have been "wiped off the map," by 65-foot (19.2 meter) waves is today pursuing national government subsidies and private investments to create large-scale distributed generation of renewables, including PV solar, land biomass (wood), marine biomass and offshore wind."

Later this month, Karlenzig's delegation will work with UNCRD to develop recommendations based on their visit.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012 in Common Current

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square