May 16-20, 2016Tokyo From May 16 – May 20, 2016, the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) program, a partnership of the World Bank and the Government of Japan, conducted the first Technical Deep Dive on Transit Oriented Development (ToD) in the Japanese cities of Tokyo, Yokohama and Osaka. This Technical Deep Dive was conducted as part of the , a collaborative community of TOD experts, practitioners, and stakeholders, from development institutions, government, academia and the private sector, knowledge program, and was co-organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Trade and Tourism of Japan (MLIT).
TOD is an approach to maximize transport accessibility and economic benefits and encourage more efficient use of land, energy and resources through high density mixed use development around transit centers. TOD encourages effective redevelopment in city centers as well as providing better living conditions and improved accessibility in outer areas. Effective TOD is a fundamental approach in the global pursuit for Sustainable Cities which are clean and efficient, resilient against disasters, inclusive, productive and competitive. At the core of the success of Japanese TOD is the integration of land and transport planning: “In most countries, urban development takes place first – then transport planning and management measures follow to combat serious congestion, hence making it both difficult and costly to address. Japan implemented these together, urban development and transport planning/ management, through efficient traffic demand prediction and control.” – Mr. Kiyoshi Shimizu, Deputy Director General for Engineering Affairs of the City Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Trade and Tourism of Japan.
Technical Deep Dives are an innovative approach of knowledge exchange developed by TDLC which incorporates eLearning, peer-to-peer/city-to-city learning, site visits, action planning and just-in-time technical assistance to provide participants the knowledge they need to effectively design and implement solutions to their most complex development challenges. The TOD Technical Deep Dive included delegations from 12 cities and 9 countries including Nanchang (China), Ho Chi Min City and Da Nang (Vietnam), Lima (Peru), Delhi and Mumbai (India), Mexico City (Mexico), Rio de Janerio and Recife (Brazil), Bogota, (Colombia), Cape Town (South Africa) and Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) along with their World Bank technical counterparts. Experts from MLIT, municipalities, rail companies, academic institutions and urban development experts from the private sector delivered sessions on various aspects TOD. Local authorities such as Shibuya Ward, City of Yokohama, Prefecture of Osaka, City of Osaka and City of Toyonaka were fundamental in presenting holistic approaches to addressing TOD approaches with their private sector counterparts. On the last day of each Technical Deep Dive delegations develop practical action plans for the design and implementation of solution to their unique challenges.
The TOD Technical Deep Dive was the second Technical Deep Dive delivered by TDLC. Last month TDLC delivered a Technical Deep Dive on Integrated Urban Flood Risk Management in collaboration with the Tokyo DRM Hub, MLIT and Urban Floods Community of Practice. The next Technical Deep Dive to be delivered by TDLC will be on Modernizing Hydro-Meteorological Services in September 2016. Technical Deep Dives on Compact Cities, Smart Cities and Solid Waste Management are also planned for 2016. A second TOD Technical Deep Dive will also be planned for next nearly to meet the demand of cities that were not able to participate in the deep dive due to available space.
For further information on the Transit Oriented Development Community of Practice
For further information on the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) program.
