Located in north-east Japan, the 12th-century site, representing the Buddhist Pure Land gained its world heritage status three months after the earthquake and tsunami devastated the surrounding region.

UNESCO: Heritage Heals in Hiraizumi

In a land where the pursuit of pure profit was officially frowned upon, however, shareholders were to a large extent taken for granted.

CNN: Recasting the Mind

Moreover, the land that builders want most is often hard to protect on pure environmental grounds.

ECONOMIST: Housing in the countryside