2011/6/3

Sumida River, JAPANAkira WADA
Japan River Restoration Network
Panel on Urban Water/River Front Redevelopment
World Bank Tokyo Office –May 30th, 2011

The Sumida River - Representative River in Tokyo
River Length:23.5km, Area: 690km2, Population: 3 milli.
Operating Body: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
The entire river is a tidal river, which is influenced by tides.

Tokyo Sky Tree

Sensoji Temple(634m, 2012 open)

Tokyo Station

Tsukiji Market
Source: “River Rehabilitation with a focus on the Sumida River”
ARRN’s 4th International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration (Nov. 2007)
http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/news/jrrn_event/2045.html

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Background of Sumida River Restoration
Prior condition in 1800s
In the Edo period (1603-1868), as the city developed, awaterfront was developed in the Sumida River and many people
gathered for boating and fireworks.

1859, Ryogokubashi Bridge
Source: “A birds-eye view of the crowds gathered in the vicinity of Ryogokubashi
Bridge for a fireworks display” by Hashimoto Sadahide, 1859

Background of Sumida River Restoration
Summary of Historical condition and countermeasures
Year

Water Quality1900(Water quality deterioration)

Flooding/Land use(Main Target)

Arakawa Diversion channel(High tide disaster)1920(factories/warehouses developed)

Sewer regulations

Arakawa Diversion channel completion

1940(Worst Water quality)

1960

1980
2000

New sewer law
Developing sewer systems(Sewer connection(Stiratet 50%)
(Environmental standard achieved)(Revival of Fireworks/Regatta)(Typhoon Kitty)
High tide levees construction(Typhoon Kanogawa)(Worst Ground Subsidence by water use)
Groundwater use regulation(Typhoon No.20)
Gently sloping levees construction
River terraces construction(Sewer connection rate 100%)

Waterfront master planfor improving attractiveness

Water quality,
Flood control

Landscape,Amenities

Ecology,
Human,Community2

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Background of Sumida River Restoration
Water quality in 1900s
Due to an increase in population and factories along the river, thewater quality deteriorated. In particular, in the period of higheconomic growth (1950 to 1960s), BOD reached 40mg/l, thedeterioration of the river environment reached a peak,
peak and a badsmell drifted into surrounding areas.

1967
Source: “River Rehabilitation with a focus on the Sumida River”
ARRN’s 4th International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration (Nov. 2007)
http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/news/jrrn_event/2045.html

Background of Sumida River Restoration
Flooding in 1900s
Floods hit lowlands frequently in 1900s.

1958, Koto Ward(Typhoon Kanogawa)

1910, Sensoji Temple
1949, Hirai Station(Typhoon Kitty)
Source: “River Rehabilitation with a focus on the Sumida River”
ARRN’s 4th International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration (Nov. 2007)
http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/news/jrrn_event/2045.html

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Background of Sumida River Restoration
Land use & Landscape in 1900s
Many factories and warehouses were located along the Sumida
River. In late 1900s, levees were constructed to protect the capital
city from tidal waves. Because linear levees separated local
residents from the waterfront,
waterfront the landscape that had long been
loved by people and the bustle of the waterfront were lost.

Shinkawa Area

Ookawabata Area
Azumabashi Area
Source: “River Rehabilitation with a focus on the Sumida River”
ARRN’s 4th International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration (Nov. 2007)
http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/news/jrrn_event/2045.html

Efforts for Sumida River RestorationWater quality improvement
Various measures were taken to improve water quality. For example,
a sewage system was reconstructed in the basin (diffusion rateincreased from 10% in 1961 to 100% in 1995); regulations on plant
effluent were tightened; and water was drawn from the Tone Riverto purify river water.
(%)

10090
80
70
60
50
4030
20
10035

105

Ratio of population connected topublic sewerage

2008

2005

2001

1997

1993

1989

1985

1981

1977

01961

- Water transmission from the Tone River151973-Removal of polluted mud by dredging

201969g
againstg
factories-Waste water regulation

251965-Construction of sewers

Water quality (BOD)30

COUNTERMEASURES

Ratio of population connected
to publicc sewerage(mg/l)

40

Water quality (BOD)

Source: ARRN’s “Reference Guideline for Restoration by Eco-Compatible Approach in River
Basin ver.1 Separate Volume” (Jan. 2011)
http://www.a-rr.net/jp/info/letter/docs/ARRNguideline1-separatevol.pdf

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Efforts for Sumida River Restoration
Waterfront amenity improvement coexisted with flood prevention
Gently sloping levees and high standard levees were constructed as
substitutes for linear levees to increase durability. At the same time,river edge terraces (promenades) were improved and levees wereforested to improve water amenities.

Source: “River Rehabilitation with a focus on the Sumida River”
ARRN’s 4th International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration (Nov. 2007)
http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/news/jrrn_event/2045.html

Efforts for Sumida River Restoration
Waterfront amenity improvement coexisted with flood prevention

Ookawabata Area

Shinkawa Area

Azumabashi Area52011/6/3

Efforts for Sumida River Restoration
Regional activation by tourism, festival etc.

Student’s participation
Water-bus shuttle

Open cafe

Cherry Blossom Festival
Source: “River Rehabilitation with a focus on the Sumida River”
ARRN’s 4th International Forum on Waterfront and Watershed Restoration (Nov. 2007)
http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/news/jrrn_event/2045.html

Current situation and Future prospects
In 1978, the BOD of the Sumida River reached 7.4mg/l, and it hasremained stable to meet environmental standards since then. With
the improvement of the sewage system and activities of citizens’
groups, water quality was significantly improved. This led to therecovery of fish, aquatic birds, and aquatic plants along the shore.

Signboard about fish,
birds and BOD/COD

BiotopeCleanup activity by
citizens’ group6

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Current situation and Future prospects
As the bad smell was gone and water amenity space was improved,
the waterfront of the Sumida River attracted many people again.
Fireworks and boat races, which had been suspended for a while,
have now been restored. The river has become popular among
tourists from inside and outside the region with more sightseeing
boat services offered.
Renewed water-bus
station at Asakusa(2010)

Tourist information

Tokyo Sky Tree(2012 open)
Revival of Fireworks Festival /Regatta

Current situation and Future prospects
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans more improvement,
positioning increased attractiveness of waterfront areas including theSumida River as an important pillar of its future urban strategies.

Master plan for improving attractivenessof waterfronts in Tokyo(2006)
http://www.kanko.metro.tokyo.jp/administration/gyosei/pdf/mizube_full_02.pdf

Tokyo’s Big Change“The 10-Year Plan”(2006)

http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/PLAN/index.htm

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Current situation and Future prospectsIn the “Tokyo's Big Change: The 10-Year Plan” formulated in 2006,“Restore Tokyo’s beauty as a city of water and greenery” is placed as
one of eight goals.

“Action Program 2011 for the 10-Year Plan” (formulated Dec. 2010)<Goal-6>
Establishment of Tokyo’s presence with a charm and industry power of the city
<Policy-19>
Renaissance of "capital Tokyo of the water" beginning in the Sumida River

Goal:-Rousing interest of waterfront by event
and water transportation-Completion of waterfront terrace of theg down stream
Azumabashi Bridge

Strategy:-Restore local activity by event-Environmental creation to feel river wind
-Formation of a rich waterfront scene-Access improvement with the bankBudget(3-year 2011-13):-2.1 billion yen(26 million US$)

http://www.chijihon.metro.tokyo.jp/plan2011/plan2011index.html

Thank you for your kind attention.
http://www.a-rr.net/jp/en/
Japan River Restoration Network

secretariat

Foundation for Riverfront Improvement and Restoration (RFC)
7th Floor, 1-17-24 Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, JAPAN, 104-0033
TEL: +81-3-6228-3860 FAX: +81-3-3523-0640
E-mail: info@a-rr.net Website: http://www.a-rr.net/jp/
Japan River Restoration Network (JRRN) is operated by Foundation for Riverfront
Improvement and Restoration and CTI Engineering Co., Ltd. as joint study
on development of Asian River Restoration network.

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