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Smart City Live 2020 Side Event: Reinventing Cities with Technology after COVID-19 – Unpacking Ideas from Japan

November 17, 2020

Tokyo, japan

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  • In recent years, the concept of smart cities has been widespread and cities across the world are increasingly taking initiatives to apply disruptive technologies and other smart cities solutions to transform their infrastructure, services, or administrations.

    Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC) is one of the largest global events dedicated to fostering smart and sustainable urban initiatives. Due to the pandemic, the event will be held virtually as Smart City Live 2020, with a full day of broadcasts plus dedicated online workshops, sessions, and side events. This year, there will be a focus on the global impact of COVID-19 on cities and strategies for responding to the new urban challenges posed by the pandemic.

    The World Bank has a long-standing relationship with SCEWC and TDLC will be organizing a virtual side event on November 17th. In collaboration with Japan’s leading smart cities and key representatives from the private sector, TDLC will share emerging perspectives, trends, and technology strategies for tackling the challenges posed by COVID-19.

    In addition to side event, Sameh Wahba, Global Director of the World Bank’s Urban, Disaster Risk Management, Resilience and Land Global Practice will participate as a key speaker for the Main Event.

  • Session 1: Dialogue/Fireside Chat - Exploring the Future of Cities after COVID-19 

    18:00–18:15 JST

    Moderator
    Victor Mulas
    Senior Urban Specialist, Task Team Leader at Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC), World Bank

    Speaker
    Ryosuke Toura 
    Executive General Manager, Tokyu Corporation

    What is the future of cities following COVID-19? In this session, Mr. Ryosuke Toura, Executive General Manager of Tokyu Corporation, will share his perspective on how cities can change and adapt to the new urban reality after COVID-19. Drawing on Tokyu Corporation’s urban development project in Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood, Mr. Toura will introduce new trends in urban planning, transportation, and city dynamics and discuss key priorities for urban planners and practitioners as we move towards a new urban context after COVID-19. 

     

    Session 2: Japanese Cities after COVID-19 – Opportunities and Challenges for  Smart Cities Moving Forward (Panel)

    18:15–18:35 JST

    Moderator
    Abhas Jha
    Practice Manager, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, South Asia Region, World Bank

    Panelists

    • Toru Hashimoto 
      Director General for Development Cooperation Department, International Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama
    • Koichi Matono 
      Director of Smart City Planning, Fukuoka City 
    • Taisuke Matsuzaki
      Director for Smart City Projects, Cross-Sector Coordination Lab, Planning and Coordination Bureau, City of Kobe

    How are Japanese cities preparing for a post–COVID-19 world? What are the key challenges and opportunities resulting from altered work and lifestyles?  For this session, TDLC has invited speakers from Japan’s leading smart cities—Yokohama, Fukuoka, and Kobe—to share their perspectives and visions based on their extensive experience and leadership in adapting to challenges and transformations throughout history and present their lessons learned for other cities facing similar challenges.

     

    Session 3: Technology Trends and Impact on Cities in Developing Countries 

    18:35–18:50 JST

    Moderator
    Narae Choi
    Senior Urban Specialist, Lead of Global Smart Cities Partnership Program, World Bank

    Speaker
    Tak Nagumo

    Executive Director, Smart City Institute Japan

    What are the best-suited technologies to aid recovery after COVID-19? What are the emerging trends in urban technologies, and how may these technologies impact people and businesses in the post–COVID-19 world? Mr. Nagumo from the Smart City Institute will discuss how cities around the world can learn from the experiences of Japanese cities, in terms of solutions and approaches to address these challenges.

EVENT DETAILS

  • Date/Time: 18:00–18:50 Tuesday, November 17, 2020
  • *: The start time of the side event may subject to change. The participants are highly recommended to stay connected at the main program starting at 17:30 (JST).
  • Venue: Online
  • Language: English
  • Registration: Please register at the Smart City Live website from the button below.
  • CONTACT: Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) Ms. Tanaka TEL:070-2482-9725
  • tdlc@worldbank.org