China’s Shanghai sinking under its own weight: report

Shanghai, China's showpiece of urban development, is sinking under the weight of its massive structures. The city of about 30 million people sank nearly 29 cm in the past 40 years, according to local legislator Gan Zhongze.

This has forced the local authorities to draft new laws to halt the continuing slide so as to keep the city above sea level.

The local authorities in Shanghai are currently working on a draft regulation to prevent land slides through improved supervision of major municipal and other construction projects in the city, according to local media reports.

The draft legislation envisages that construction companies evaluate land before digging deep pits of 7 to 15 meters.
Violators could face a fine up to 500,000 yuan ($80,200), according to the draft.

Besides the high rises, Shanghai hosts huge infrastructure projects like high-speed rail, underground transportation and others.

While the rate of slide has slowed since 2005, reports pointed out that continuing developments could hasten the slide again.