The Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) will host a Technical Deep Dive (TDD) on Urban Planning and Land for Growth from October 27 to 31, 2025, in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The TDD will be organized in partnership with the World Bank’s Communities of Practice on Urban and Regional Planning, and Land. Participants from 10 World Bank client countries—about 40 policymakers and practitioners engaged in urban planning, land management, and sustainable city development—will take part in this TDD.
Urbanization is reshaping economies and societies worldwide, with over 55% of the global population living in cities today and this share expected to reach 68% by 2050. While cities generate 70% of global GDP, they also account for more than 60% of energy consumption and 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. Rapid and often unplanned urban expansion has created challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, insecure land tenure, and limited access to essential services for low-income communities.
This TDD will focus on how cities can manage land use and urban growth efficiently and inclusively to support sustainable development. Participants will explore practical strategies for land readjustment, digital land management systems, and land value capture, drawing lessons from Japan and global experiences in flexible zoning, urban regeneration, and collaboration between the public and private sectors.