The quaint, traditional wooden houses of Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Japan, stand as testaments to centuries of architectural ingenuity. Their steeply pitched gabled roofs, designed to withstand heavy snowfall, are a breathtaking sight. However, this architectural marvel faces a modern challenge: water pollution. The unique drainage system of these houses, while historically effective, struggles to cope with the increased runoff from modern development and tourism. This leads to water contamination, threatening both the environment and the delicate ecosystem supporting the village's traditional way of life. Meanwhile, advancements in autonomous vehicle technology are transforming transportation globally. While offering potential benefits such as reduced traffic congestion and increased safety, the introduction of self-driving cars presents unique regulatory hurdles. In Shirakawa-go, the narrow, winding streets, designed for pedestrian and horse-drawn cart traffic, pose significant challenges for autonomous navigation. Implementing self-driving technology would require extensive infrastructure changes, potentially altering the village's historic character. The local government faces a difficult decision: embrace technological advancement or preserve the village's unique heritage. The confluence of these issues – preservation of traditional architecture, mitigation of water pollution, and regulation of autonomous vehicles – highlights the complex interplay between technological progress and cultural preservation. Balancing economic development with environmental sustainability and heritage protection is a delicate act, demanding innovative solutions that respect both the past and the future. Finding such solutions requires a nuanced understanding of local contexts and the willingness to explore creative compromises.
1. According to the passage, what is the primary environmental challenge facing Shirakawa-go?
2. What is the main obstacle to implementing self-driving cars in Shirakawa-go?
3. What is the central theme explored in the passage?
4. The passage suggests that finding solutions to the problems facing Shirakawa-go requires: