As The World Bank Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) entered a new fiscal year in July 2025, it welcomed its new Program Manager, Christoph Pusch. In October, after his arrival in Japan, TDLC set out on a caravan tour across Japan to meet with CPP cities and discuss the next stage—Phase 5—of the program, strengthening collaboration for the years ahead.
The journey began in Toyama City, where the team met with Mayor Hirohisa Fujii to discuss the city’s compact urban form and sustainable mobility policies. TDLC and Toyama have long worked together to share these lessons globally through Technical Deep Dives (TDDs) and international forums, inspiring cities pursuing similar goals.
Hiroshima City was the next stop, where discussions built on collaboration since the city joined the CPP in 2023. Hiroshima’s contributions to TDDs on Urban Land and Affordable Housing, and its experience in post-crisis recovery, continue to inform TDLC’s global work on urban resilience.
The Caravan then traveled to Fukuoka City, where TDLC met with Deputy Mayor Eiichi Nakamura and visited RamenTech, the city’s innovation hub. The visit highlighted Fukuoka’s dynamic approach to digital transformation and data-driven governance—areas where the city’s experience is increasingly relevant to TDLC’s global learning agenda.
Further west in Kitakyushu City, a CPP partner since 2016, the team discussed ongoing cooperation on waste management, green growth, and SDG promotion. Kitakyushu’s pioneering work in circular economy practices continues to serve as a model for climate-smart and inclusive urban development.
The Caravan continued to Kobe City, where discussions centered on the city’s new urban vision, “Future Forest City – KOBE,” which seeks to integrate innovation, green infrastructure, and community well-being. The team met with the Deputy Mayor Masao Imanishi and city officials to explore how TDLC and Kobe can collaborate to share the city’s approaches to sustainable urban regeneration and international cooperation through upcoming programs and knowledge exchanges.
Next, in Kyoto City, the dialogue focused on how the city balances heritage preservation and sustainability, offering lessons for cities seeking to protect cultural identity while promoting responsible tourism and climate action.
The final CPP stop was Shizuoka City, where TDLC and city officials confirmed plans to co-host a TDD on Urban Flood Management, aligning with shared priorities to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience.
The team also visited Kakogawa City, a previous TDLC collaborator on inter-municipal cooperation and public-private partnerships in waste management. Kakogawa also joined TDLC’s Technical Deep Dive on Solid Waste Management for Middle-Income Countries earlier this year, reflecting the broader engagement of Japanese cities in TDLC’s global knowledge exchange.
The CPP Caravan reaffirmed TDLC’s strong partnership with Japanese cities, whose experiences continue to inspire its global initiatives. As Program Manager Christoph Pusch emphasized, “Japanese cities’ lessons are gifts for the developing countries.” Guided by this spirit, TDLC will keep linking Japan’s urban innovation and expertise with cities worldwide to foster livable, resilient, and inclusive communities.