Underground Discharge Channel Tour

Tokyo Metropolitan Area Underground Discharge Channel Tour

Join us on Saturday October 26 for a a guided tour of the Tokyo Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel, the world’s largest underground flood water diversion facility. The project was built to store the excess stormwater during heavy rains and typhoons to avoid flooding in the low elevation high density urban areas. We will learn how this project was planned, built, and is being monitored to protect the city. The tour will be in Japanese with English Translations.

The channel consists of five D32m (105 ft) x H65m (213 ft) concrete containment silos connected by 6.4km (4.0 mi) of tunnels 50m (160 ft) beneath the surface. In addition, a water tank measuring L177m (581 ft) x W78m (256 ft) x H25.4m (83 ft) supported by 59 massive columns and connected to 78 pumps of 10 MW (13,000 hp) that can pump up to 200 metric tons (200 long tons; 220 short tons) of water into the Edo River per second.

This is a guided tour of the large stormwater management system protecting Tokyo and a visit to their exhibition. We will learn why so much effort was necessary to protect the city, how effective the system is. We will also explore what is being done to combat recent extreme weather incidences likely caused by the effects of climate change and what city projects can do to alleviate, if at all, the stresses on this system.

IMPORANT:

You will be required to climb / descend approximately 100 steps. There are no elevators or escalators, so you please be ready to walk and dress appropriately. The floor may be slippery so wear appropriate shoes.

The tour is free for AIA Japan members.

Due to limited capacity, AIAJ members will have priority over non-members. No children please.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Describe underground construction methods used for large scale infrastructure projects.
2. Identify risks and vulnerabilities of Tokyo city planning before and even after implementation.
3. Describe how the flood system is monitored and powered.
4. Describe the relationship between the man-made infrastructure and Edogawa River.

SCHEDULE:

12.00 – Meet at 〒344 – 0111 埼玉県春日部市上金崎 720 庄和排水機場内
12.00 – 12.50 Visit Underground Exploration Museum RYU-Q Kan
12.50 – Finish check in
13.00 – Tour start
14:00 – End Tour

REGISTER HERE