The Tokyo sky will be clear of cables! Government Bans New Electric Poles

The revolutionary steps of the Tokyo government in building a city without electricity poles

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has taken important steps in efforts to beautify the city’s planning while improving disaster preparedness. Governor Yuriko Koike announced plans to ban the construction of new power poles in residential areas and development land projects. This policy became the first revolutionary step in Japan in creating an urban environment free of electricity poles.

The policy was conveyed by Governor Koike in his speech at the opening session of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly on 24 September. Its main purpose is to accelerate the construction of underground electricity networks, which are considered safer and aesthetically pleasing than traditional systems with electric poles.

The reason behind the new policy

The Tokyo government revealed that this policy was taken after concerns about the threat of electricity poles during natural disasters such as strong winds or earthquakes. In some cases, fallen poles can cause disruption to air conditioning and lighting systems..

“The situation related to electricity poles needs to be reconsidered. There is a need to switch to a city without a power pole from a disaster management point of view,” Koike said in his speech.

coverage and sanctions for violators

This rule will apply to almost all 23 districts in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Every housing developer is obliged to submit a development plan without electricity poles. If violated, the company’s name will be published openly as a form of social sanctions, accompanied by an official warning from the government.

Previously, since 2017, Tokyo has had regulations that prohibit the construction of electricity poles on roads managed by the city government. However, this new policy extends coverage to areas of privately owned roads and lands that were not previously included in the regulations.

Every year, there are about 500 land development projects in Tokyo that usually add about 850 new power poles. With this policy, the government wants to reduce the increasing number of electricity poles.

Support for aesthetics and disaster-resistant infrastructure

This step is also driven by government efforts to improve the aesthetics of the city and support disaster-resistant infrastructure. This is especially after the damage caused by the tornado in Shizuoka Prefecture which is an important lesson for Tokyo.

With this new policy, Tokyo affirmed its commitment to become a modern city that is safe, neat, and sustainable. In addition, this policy is also expected to be able to provide comfort for residents and maintain the beauty of the city.

challenges and implementation process

Although this policy is considered positive, its implementation will certainly face challenges. Housing developers must adapt to the new rules, which can have an impact on the cost and time of construction. However, the Tokyo government believes that this step will provide long-term benefits, both in terms of safety and the beauty of the city.

In addition, the government will also conduct education and coordination with various related parties, including developers, the community, and technical institutions, so that this policy can be accepted and implemented properly.

With the steps that have been taken, Tokyo shows a strong commitment to being an example of a sustainable city and ready to face various challenges in the future.