The Yomiuri Shimbun reports on plans to elevate the ground level in urban areas that were inundated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, prior to rebuilding. One town will elevate its land by 17 meters (55 feet).
12 cities in the coastal areas of Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures are planning radical land elevation and readjustment projects to protect themselves from future disasters. "The targeted areas together measure 740 hectares, nearly 15 times larger than Tokyo Disneyland, and the quantity of dirt required is calculated to be 17.5 million cubic meters--enough to fill the Tokyo Dome 14 times," reports The Yomiuri Shimbun. "Some municipalities are concerned about the delay in beginning work due to a shortage of dirt and other logistical factors."
"While most of them plan to raise the ground level by one to six meters, the municipal government of Onagawa, Miyagi Prefecture, aims to raise it by up to 17 meters, which would make the area 18 meters above sea level. The mound will be as high as a five-story condominium."
"So far, 11 municipalities have released cost estimates for the planned land elevation and readjustment, together totaling about 300 billion yen. If approved, the central government would pay for all of it. The work in 12 districts in eight municipalities is expected to be completed in fiscal 2017 or later."
FULL STORY: 12 tsunami-struck areas to raise ground level to aid rebuilding
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