Japan's capital is where innovation meets tradition, and The Economist Intelligence Unit ranked it as the safest city in the world in its 2019 Safe Cities Index survey. The safety of Japan's largest city is one of the main reasons French architect Albert Abut moved to Tokyo in 1983 to establish his career and start a family.
At 2:46 pm, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Coast of Tohoku. Abut, like the millions who live and work in Tokyo, is not foreign to the concept of earthquakes in the city.
“Everything started shaking on the road. At first, I thought a big truck had just passed me by.”
Albert Abut
When he realized that a temblor had hit, Abut knew what he had to do: remain calm and make sure his wife and daughter were safe. He then checked in on his employees. He did not panic as he was not in any danger, and because Tokyo has long prepared and equipped its infrastructure to face disasters head-on.
87% of homes in Tokyo are reportedly earthquake-proof. Skyscrapers are built using some of the strictest building codes in the world and newer buildings are showcasing many innovative anti-seismic features, such as large dampers that absorb the shock of the shaking by moving in the opposite direction of the swaying of a quake.
The city's infrastructure was minimally affected, and residents and visitors alike were kept updated with the situation through broadcasted news and over the web. Staff at train stations made announcements to advise the public on how to stay safe.
As someone who witnessed the city's disaster response up close, Abut shares:
“Tokyo responded with calm, it was well-coordinated. Everyone did what they were supposed to do, and they were guided by the right people.”
It has been distributed to more than seven million Tokyo households. Today, mobile phone users in Tokyo also have access to many earthquake warning apps and multi-language support on public security and disaster control. The 72 hours following a disaster are critical. So, while residents are advised to prepare evacuation kits with important gear such as mobile phone chargers and flashlights, many employers like Abut are issued directives to stockpile food, water, and emergency supplies at their offices.
As a leader in disaster risk management, Tokyo is also sharing knowledge on disaster preparedness with other cities around the world. Tokyo hosted Urban Resilience Forum Tokyo in May 2019, and promoted the importance of disaster preparedness in urban areas to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
“You can find anything, there's always something open, I really admire that. Urbanization-wise, and transportation-wise, it's very well-organized,”
Abut said, adding how impressed he is by the excellent train system and the fact that safety always comes first.
“It's such a nice and safe city to live in and having a safe environment for children is a key factor.”
The French architect moved to Tokyo for work in 1983. Born in Istanbul, he had lived and worked in Sweden and the Netherlands before deciding to stay in Tokyo after opening his office in the city, Albert Abut Architecture.
As an architect, Abut also appreciates Tokyo's attention to detail in homes and even infrastructure. For example, when he was caught on the highway as the 2011 earthquake made Tokyo rumble, he was amazed the asphalt stayed solid and did not burst.
Abut has also long been intrigued by Japan's general history and traditions, such as the Zen Buddhism-inspired minimalism. Such simplicity involves attention to detail.
His successes are standing proudly in Tokyo; they include the Saint-Gobain building in Hanzomon, the Yves Saint-Laurent fashion office in Kojimachi and the Hakuju Concert Hall in Shibuya.
Reflecting on his last three decades as an architect in Tokyo, Abut says the city has pushed his career in a direction he never would have experienced anywhere else. It can be hard to make your mark in a city like Tokyo but Abut has put in the work to make it possible.
“It's one of the reasons I want to stay here, because I made it. I don't want to give that up.”
To describe Tokyo as a city of the future is a thing of the past. Instead, it's constantly changing its present - improving and innovating, preparing and pioneering, responding and remodeling. Tokyo has truly earned its title as the safest city in the world.