Yokohama

Overview

Yokohama’s population increased sharply during the city’s post-war period of rapid economic growth. The city faced urban challenges much like other cities in emerging economies today. To address these, Yokohama has implemented various development projects under a comprehensive and long-term urban plan that includes mechanisms and incentives to encourage citizens and businesses to participate in the projects, an approach that has left its mark on the present-day city. In doing so, Yokohama has transformed itself into an environmentally friendly, livable city with a strong economic base.

Since the launch of TDLC's City Partnership Program in 2016, Yokohama has been sharing its knowledge and experience with cities in developing countries that are implementing projects financed by the World Bank. It has participated in Technical Deep Dives on topics including urban design and resilience, waste reduction, and the integration of flood control and wastewater treatment. TDLC and Yokohama also co-organize the annual Asia Smart City Conference, one of the city's major international events, and arranges for city officials and experts to support projects in other countries under the TDLC Operational Support program.

Key topics of engagement 

Comprehensive urban regeneration
Resiliency and flood control measures
Competitive and smart cities

Voice of the city

“Yokohama was selected to participate in the first phase of the City Partnership Program and has since been working with TDLC to share its knowledge. The "Yokohama Development Knowledge Sourcebook" and the "Yokohama: Reinventing the Future of a City" program, have helped us to reaffirm our strengths as a city. The hosting of the Asia Smart Cities Conference, in collaboration with TDLC, has boosted our status as a marketplace for information and people related to international urban development. In 2021, we have enhanced the Y-PORT Center as a knowledge hub modelled on TDLC’s approaches. We will continue to contribute to the addressing of urban challenges in emerging countries by further strengthening our partnership with TDLC.”

Toru Hashimoto, Director General, International Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama

Key recent collaborations 

October 2025
TDLC collaborated with Yokohama City at their 14th Asian Smart Cities Conference (ASCC) hosting the TDLC session "Scalable Urban Responses to Waste for Advancing Circularity in Asia."
September 2025
TDLC collaborated with Yokohama City on hosting the Technical Deep Dive (TDD) on Public-Private Partnerships for Affordable Housing.
April 2025
TDLC collaborated with Yokohama City on hosting the Technical Deep Dive (TDD) on Fundamentals and Innovations in City Finance.
October 2024
TDLC collaborated with Yokohama City at their 13th Asian Smart Cities Conference (ASCC) hosting the TDLC session "Building Livable, Green, and Resilient Cities ~ Replicable and scalable solutions from abroad~."
July 2024
TDLC collaborated with Yokohama City on hosting the Technical Deep Dive (TDD) on Cybersecurity.
November 2023
TDLC collaborated with Yokohama City at their 12th Asia Smart Cities Conference (ASCC) hosting the TDLC session "Building Livable and Thriving Cities."
October 2023
TDLC collaborated with Yokohama City on hosting the Technical Deep Dive (TDD) on Financing Quality Urban Infrastructure.
September 2023
TDLC collaborated with Yokohama City on hosting the Technical Deep Dive (TDD) on land-based financing and property tax policy, and the city official explained the complexities of Yokohama City's land valuation, tax calculation, tax collection, and information disclosure practices.
April 2023
TDLC collaborated with Yokohama City on hosting the Technical Deep Dive: Cities and Climate Change.
March 2023
Director General, International Affairs Bureau, City of Yokohama gave a presentation on Yokohama's Urban Regeneration projects and climate-resilient urban infrastructure at the World Bank Workshop on Making Thai Cities Resilient and Attractive for Investments while Unlocking their Potential for Livability and Sustainability (March 9, 2023).