Legislature reviews draft to curb sinking (2)

Shanghai's land level has sunk 0.29 meters on average from 1966 to 2011, according to the Shanghai Evening Post. In some places, the ground sank as much as three meters over the period.

"The development of the underground areas and large-scale construction projects such as high-rise buildings and subways are what has caused the land to sink," Lou told the Global Times.

In February, land subsidence caused several major cracks to appear in the ground near the construction site of the 632-meter Shanghai Tower in Pudong New Area. During the construction of metro Line 4 in 2003, land subsidence at the Nanpu Bridge Station near to the Huangpu River caused a major collapse. A 60-meter section of the Huangpu flood prevention barrier was damaged and three six-story apartment buildings had to be demolished.

"The lower ground level will also make it easier for the city to flood," Lou added.

Shanghai has set up a land subsidence monitoring network and facilities to manage the problem.