Land subsidence in Shanghai became a real hazard in the 1950s when the city's groundwater resources were extensively exploited for cooling during the summer by Shanghai's newly developed industrial sector.
Li Lin, assistant chief engineer from Shanghai Tunnel Engineering Co, who's currently in charge of a cross-river tunnel that is under construction, said they've been keeping an eye on the land-sinking problem during the progress because "such an issue is fatal and essential for the risk control of the project".
"Generally speaking, land subsidence is brought by two reasons - the subsidence of groundwater level or construction activities," said Li, who graduated from Tongji University's department of geotechnical engineering.
"We've got professional industry techniques to prevent sinking for the second cause, but it's good to hear our legislative body start to take action to prevent it by passing a regulation."
It has been estimated that every millimeter of subsidence costs Shanghai as much as $20 million for restoration and maintenance. For Shi Yishao, a professor from the department of surveying and land information engineering in Tongji University in Shanghai, prevention is always better than the cure.
"That's why I'm in favor of this regulation," said Shi. "However, concerns are that imposing the fine (as punishment) is not enough."
Landmark building should respect the public's feeling
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