Past Event

Celebrating the Tokyo Development Learning Center's 20th Anniversary

The World Bank's Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) is celebrating 20 years of knowledge sharing and collaborative learning to create more livable and sustainable cities.

Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC): Celebrating 20 Years of Knowledge Sharing for Livable Cities

This year marks a significant milestone for the World Bank's Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) as it celebrates two decades of facilitating knowledge sharing and collaborative learning to create more livable and sustainable urban environments. Join us from October 17-18, 2024 for a hybrid event (online and in-person in Tokyo, Japan) as we celebrate 20 years of strong partnership between the Government of Japan and the World Bank and Japan's leadership in urban development.

Aligning with the World Bank's vision of “A world free of poverty on a livable planet,” TDLC supports national and local governments to create more livable and sustainable cities. Its knowledge exchange activities include Technical Deep Dives, operational support, and the publication of knowledge products.

By sharing Japan's extensive expertise in urban development—including in waste management, water and sewage systems, urban regeneration, transit-oriented development, urban resilience, and disaster prevention—TDLC has provided invaluable insights to government officials and municipal leaders in developing countries. This knowledge exchange, further enriched by contributions from Japanese ministries, municipalities, the private sectors and academia, is contributing to improved urban policies and development projects worldwide.

Date: October 17, 2024

Time: 1:30pm–6pm (Door opens at 1:00pm)

Location: Happoen, JOUR (1-1-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8631)

Format: Hybrid (In-person and online)

Language: English/Japanese (Simultaneous interpretation provided)

Date: October 18, 2024

Time: 9:30am–12:30pm (Door opens at 9am)

Location: World Bank TDLC (14th Floor, 2-2-2 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011)

Format: Hybrid (In-person and online)

Language: English/Japanese (Simultaneous interpretation provided)

October 17: TDLC Anniversary Symposium                       

The TDLC Anniversary Symposium on October 17, 2024 will bring together city leaders who have collaborated with TDLC in knowledge sharing, opinion leaders in urban development, and leaders from developing countries where projects benefited from learning Japan’s expertise. The discussions will focus on past initiatives for creating livable cities, the outcomes and lessons learned, and key considerations for sharing these experiences globally. We warmly invite all those involved in urban development to participate in this knowledge event.

  • Date/Time:  October 17, 2024/1:30pm–6pm (Door opens at 1:00pm)
  • Venue: Happoen, JOUR (1-1-1, Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8631)
  • Format: Hybrid (Zoom link to follow)
  • Language: English/Japanese (Simultaneous interpretation)
  • Registration: Please register using the Registration Form.
Time Session
1:30 pm Opening Session
2:00 pm

Mayors’ Session: Japan’s Knowledge Contribution to Foster Livable Cities Worldwide

  • Moderator: Sahel Rosa
  • Mr. Kizo Hisamoto (Mayor of Kobe)
  • Mr. Hirohisa Fujii (Mayor of Toyama)
  • Mr. Eiichi Nakamura (Deputy Mayor of Fukuoka)
  • Mr. Kenichi Katayama (Deputy Mayor of Kitakyushu)
  • Mr. Mikiharu Nakai (Deputy Mayor of Hiroshima)
3:20 pm

Retrospective: Japan’s knowledge and our cities

  • MC: Peter Ellis (World Bank)
  • Ms. Sandrina Anjary Randriamananjara (Secretary General of the Ministry of Decentralization and Territory Development, Republic of Madagascar)
  • Mr. Revsee A. Escobedo, Undersecretary for Operations, Department of Education, Republic of the Philippines)
  • Mr. Rogatus Mativilla (Deputy Permanent Secretary responsible for infrastructure development, Presidents Office- Regional Administration and Local Government, United Republic of Tanzania)
  • Mr. Dev Choudhary (Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad City, State of Gujarat, Republic of India)
  • Mr. Md Moinul Islam (Urban Planner, Narayanganj City Corporation, People’s Republic of Bangladesh)
4:35 pm

Japan's role in urban development in developing countries

  • Dr. Takashi Onishi (Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo)
  • Dr. Yo Sasaki (Professor, Waseda University, President of Japan Society of Civil Engineers)
5:05 pm City Partnership Program (CPP) Session: Initiatives towards creating livable cities in developing countries
5:55 pm Closing remarks
6:00pm Reception with Cultural Presentations of CPP Cities

October 18: Technical Session on Livable City Development

The Technical Session on October 18 will explore how partnering with the private sector in urban and infrastructure development can contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth. It will also explore how cities can enhance residents' well-being through services and policy interventions that support citizens' lives, showcasing successful examples from Japan. Additionally, during the World Bank’s 'Community of Practice at the World Bank' Book Launch, we will trace the extensive history of knowledge accumulated by the World Bank. 

  • Date/Time:October 18, 2024/09:30am–12:30pm (Door opens at 9am)   
  • Venue: World Bank TDLC (14th Floor, 2-2-2 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011)
  • Format: Hybrid (Zoom link to follow)
  • Language: English/Japanese (Simultaneous interpretation)
  • Registration: Please register using the Registration Form.
Time‏‏‎‎‏‏‎‏ Session
9:30 am The partnership with private sector in urban and infrastructure development in international cooperation
10:30 am Well-being in Japanese urban development
11:45 am Knowledge to catalyze cultural change and organizational transformation – Book launch of ‘Community of Practice at the World Bank’
4:10 pm Closing remarks

*Speakers and schedule are subject to change.

Date: October 17 - 18, 2024

Location: Tokyo, Japan