Measures to Resume and Rebuild Tangshan

Abstract

This chapter introduces the earthquake disaster of Tangshan in China in 1976, and emphasizes on expounding the plan for Tangshan's resumption, rebuilding, and antiquake measures during implementation of the plan. In addition, several pieces of valuable experience aimed at resumption and rebuilding the city of the earthquake-stricken area are noted for future consideration. Before 1950s, Tangshan was divided into two districts, namely the eastern mining area and the old urban district. The latter was further subdivided into two administrative districts. The earthquake resistance considerations in planning process included selection of proposed construction sites; precautions against earthquake hazards like solving the traffic problems, establishing a decentralized, ringlike water supply with multiple waterworks, ensuring adequate power supply, combining wireless communication system with a wired system and setting up operating centers in different places; and formulation of plan against earthquake. In accordance with the guiding principles for urban construction and in the light of specific post-earthquake conditions, the development of small cities took precedence. Later, the city was divided into three parts, which were separated from each other by a distance of some 25 km. Total investment in reconstructing Tangshan was 43.57 billion yuan. On July 28, 1986, at the 10th anniversary of the earthquake event, it was announced that the reconstruction had been almost completed. lessons that were learnt from this experience include lessening the burden on the nation through self-reliance, unifying support from all over the country, standardizing design and industrializing construction, constructing the periphery first then the city's former site, building network of highways in advance, developing satellite cities and opening up small towns, and selecting an appropriate site for construction of a new town.