Seismic Retrofitting of Buildings
Plan for the Promotion of Seismic Retrofitting
The City of Sendai has been working to improve the earthquake resilience of buildings.
In order to promote earthquake safety of buildings strategically along with the aim of achieving the “Realization of a Safe and Secure City”,in 2008, we formulated the “Plan for the Promotion of Earthquake-proof Retrofitting in Sendai”, set goals for improving earthquake resilience, and worked on initiatives including the provission of support and raising awareness regarding promotion of earthquake-proof retrofitting of buildings built based on old earthquake resistance standards.
In order to further promote seismic reinforcement to build earthquake-resilient communities, we formulated the “Plan for the Promotion of Earthquake-proof Retrofitting (FY2021-2025)” and will continue to promote this initiative.
Inquiries
Construction Guidance Section,
Urban Planning Bureau
tos009420@city.sendai.jp
For Public School Buildings
Schools, which serve as gathering places for children and students and as evacuation sites during emergencies, have undergone seismic assessments and retrofitting since 1996. As a result, the earthquake-proof retrofitting rate at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake was 99.9%, which prevented building collapse and ensured that no children or students under school supervision were injured. The implementation of countermeasures continued thereafter, and later that year, a 100% earthquake-proof retrofitting rate was achieved.
In addition, due to the issues of power outages and ensuring safety at evacuation shelters during the Great East Japan Earthquake, the city implemented power backup measures by installing solar power systems and batteries, and reinforced ceilings to prevent collapse in indoor gymnasiums and other facilities. Furthermore, disaster education is being promoted by appointing a disaster preparedness coordinator at every elementary and junior high school, creating and implementing annual disaster education plans, and coordinating with local communities and guardians. Since FY2012, the city continues to distribute its original disaster education booklet to all students, revising it annually and integrating it into various subjects and learning areas.
Inquiries
Educational Supervision Section,
Educational Bureau
kyo019120@city.sendai.jp
Construction Guidance Section,
Urban Planning Bureau
tos009420@city.sendai.jp
Decarbonization Management and Promotion Section,
Environmental Bureau
kan007150@city.sendai.jp
Public Facility Management Promotion Section,
Urban Planning Bureau
tos009315@city.sendai.jp
For Private Wooden Houses and Condominium Buildings
In the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster of 1995, wooden houses built according to the pre-1981 building standard suffered immense damage, leading to the loss of many lives. In response to this, Sendai City is advancing the seismic reinforcement of municipally owned buildings (approximately 99% as of the end of 2018) and implementing seismic capacity diagnoses and subsidization of renovation works for detached wooden houses and condominiums. It also offers advice based on the findings of seismic capacity diagnoses.
Under this system, seismic reinforcement works were implemented on 2,474 wooden houses and two condominium buildings in 21 years between 2004 and 2024.
Disaster Preparedness in Sendai
– the City of Trees’ Certificate
Improvements in the disaster preparedness of apartment buildings
In 2013, Sendai City set up a ‘Certification program for apartment buildings with improved disaster preparedness in Sendai – the City of Trees’ in order to enhance disaster risk reduction activities in apartment buildings and improve the disaster risk reduction performance of buildings. The City also formulated ‘Guidelines for creating a disaster preparedness manual for apartment buildings’, which is used as reference when an apartment building association of owners make rules for disaster risk reduction activities.
Inquiries
Improvements in the earthquake resistance
and disaster preparedness of condominiums:
Housing Policies Section,
Urban Planning Bureau
tos009430@city.sendai.jp
Improvements in the earthquake
resistance of wooden houses:
Construction Guidance Section,
Urban Planning Bureau
tos009420@city.sendai.jp