World Architecture Congress opens in Tokyo

A major international convention on architecture has opened in Tokyo on the theme of "Design 2050--Beyond Disasters, through Solidarity, towards Sustainability".

This is the first time Japan has hosted the event, called "The World Congress of Architecture," which is held every 3 years.

The opening ceremony took place on Monday morning, with the attendance of the Emperor and Empress of Japan.

The President of the International Union of Architects, Louise Cox, said she wants the participants to have many discussions on building a better, more sustainable and human world for all.

The main theme of the latest congress is designing structures capable of overcoming various challenges, including natural disasters. This is in response to the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11th.

Symposiums, lectures and exhibitions will be held at about 100 places across Japan. Some of the events are open to the public and free of charge.

Tours will be organized to view the construction technologies used to build Tokyo Sky Tree, which will be the tallest broadcasting tower in the world when it is completed in the spring of 2012.

The president of the UIA2011 Tokyo Japan Organizing Board, Yoshiaki Ogura, said he wants the conference to address what architecture can do to deal with a variety of challenges, including earthquakes and environmental problems.