How should cities prepare for disasters?

After experiencing the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Sendai-city in Miyagi prefecture has been working on creating a disaster-resilient and environmentally-friendly city. To do so, Sendai is strengthening city infrastructure and spreading awareness about disaster prevention among local communities.

The earthquake and tsunami caused serious damage to the city’s major wastewater plant. This prompted the restoration and improvement of the facility, including elevated structures that can withstand a large-scale tsunami and the installation of energy-efficient features. Solar panels are also installed in the facility as part of the city’s drive towards decentralized energy sources. Furthermore, the initiative was also expanded to include 194 other facilities, including primary and junior high schools. In the event of a natural disaster, these schools are used as evacuation centers.

Additionally, the city has been promoting disaster prevention and preparation programs among local communities, as they believe that the idea of self-help and mutual aid played a major part after 2011. The programs include multi-lingual services by local volunteers, evacuation and rescue training. Cooperation with local businesses to use their facilities as temporary lodgings has also been emphasized prefecture-wide.