Japanology Plus 2016 01 28 Underground Tokyo

Summary

Tokyo’s vast underground spaces are key to its efficient urban design, supporting everything from transportation to disaster prevention. The city’s extensive subway network, underground shopping malls, and shared utility tunnels help manage space in a densely populated area. Advanced engineering techniques allow for the creation of complex, multi-use underground systems, which have proven resilient during emergencies like the 1995 Kobe earthquake. This video explores Tokyo’s innovative use of subterranean spaces, highlighting their role in making the city function smoothly, even in the face of natural disasters, and their future potential in enhancing urban accessibility and sustainability.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tokyo's underground infrastructure, including subways, shopping malls, and utility tunnels, plays a crucial role in the city's daily operations.
• 🚇 The Tokyo subway system is one of the largest in the world, with 13 subway lines covering approximately 300 kilometers, serving over 8 million passengers daily.
• 🛍️ Underground shopping malls at Tokyo's major rail hubs, like Tokyo Station, are convenient for commuters and are stocked with a wide range of shops and services.
• 🌍 Tokyo's underground utility tunnels, which bundle gas, electricity, water, and sewerage lines, make monitoring and maintenance more efficient.
• 🌊 The Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, a massive underground facility, helps divert water during heavy rains to prevent flooding in Tokyo's flood-prone areas.
• ⚙️ Advanced engineering techniques, such as shield tunneling, have revolutionized underground construction in Tokyo, allowing for faster and more efficient projects.
• 🏗️ Tokyo's underground spaces are built to withstand natural disasters, such as earthquakes, with structures underground experiencing less shaking than above-ground buildings.
• 🚨 The city's underground spaces are increasingly being designed as evacuation areas for commuters in case of a disaster, providing safe spaces during emergencies.
• 💡 Underground infrastructure in Tokyo was historically developed in response to severe road congestion and has evolved over time to include complex networks of transport, utilities, and retail spaces.
• 🌱 Future trends in Tokyo's underground spaces focus on improving accessibility, incorporating natural light, and creating more inviting public areas for urban dwellers.

Q & A

Why did Tokyo start developing its underground spaces?

Tokyo began developing underground spaces to alleviate issues like severe road congestion and limited surface space for urban expansion. The subway system was created to move traffic underground, freeing up the streets.

What is the Tokyo subway system's significance in the city's infrastructure?

The Tokyo subway system is one of the largest in the world, consisting of 13 lines and over 300 kilometers of track. It transports more than 8 million passengers daily, making it crucial to Tokyo's functioning.

What are some unique features of Tokyo's underground shopping malls?

Tokyo's underground shopping malls offer a wide range of stores, including fashion shops, pharmacies, and restaurants, making them convenient for commuters. They are strategically located near subway stations, facilitating easy access.

How does Tokyo manage its utility infrastructure underground?

Tokyo uses shared underground utility tunnels for gas, electricity, water, and sewage systems. This approach makes maintenance and monitoring more efficient, ensuring a reliable urban infrastructure.

What role do underground spaces play in disaster prevention in Tokyo?

Underground spaces in Tokyo serve critical disaster prevention functions, such as the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, which helps prevent flooding by diverting water underground during heavy rains.

How deep are some of Tokyo's subway lines?

Tokyo’s deepest subway lines can reach depths of over 40 meters underground, especially as newer lines had to be built deeper to avoid conflicts with existing infrastructure.

What challenges did engineers face when building underground roads like the Yamate Tunnel?

Building tunnels like the Yamate Tunnel involved overcoming challenges such as navigating a maze of existing subway lines, utility infrastructure, and underground structures, which required careful planning and 20 years of construction.

How has underground construction technology evolved in Tokyo?

Underground construction technology in Tokyo has evolved from traditional cut-and-cover methods to more advanced techniques like shield tunneling, allowing for faster and more efficient construction without disrupting surface traffic.

What was discovered during the construction of the National Diet Library's underground stacks?

During the construction of the National Diet Library's underground stacks, archaeologists discovered an old cellar used by merchants in the Edo period to protect valuable goods from fire, highlighting the historical use of underground spaces in Tokyo.

How does Tokyo’s underground infrastructure contribute to safety during natural disasters like earthquakes?

Tokyo’s underground infrastructure, including shopping malls and subway stations, is built to withstand earthquakes with minimal damage. During the 1995 Kobe earthquake, underground spaces suffered very little damage, allowing them to quickly resume normal operations.