Cities across Europe and Japan are facing many of the same issues, from ageing populations and limited transport options to heatwaves, flooding, fragmented data and declining trust in planning processes. Experiences and solutions from one city can often provide valuable ideas for another.
Register here for Session 3 on October 8 2026.
The session will feature two presentations showcasing practical approaches from Japan and Europe.
Prof. Jin Nakazawa, Keio University, will share real-world challenges from Fujisawa, Kamakura and Oiso, and explore how technologies such as IoT, sensors and AI can help address the societal and technical challenges facing suburban and regional communities.
Gavin Duffy, Founder and CEO of RealSim, will present the Balbriggan Harbour Square project in Ireland. Before construction began, residents used an interactive 3D digital twin and VR to explore the proposed public space. RealSim and Fingal County Council used this technology to support public consultation and help bring the €15 million Harbour Square project to life.
Following the presentations, Dr Rodger Lea, CTO of the Urban Technology Alliance and CEO of STS, will moderate an open discussion on how common challenges can create opportunities for new partnerships and joint solutions.
A new opportunity for EU–Japan collaboration
The session comes at an important moment for European–Japanese research and innovation cooperation. Since 31 July 2026, Japan has been an associated country to Horizon Europe, enabling Japanese and European organisations to participatetogether in the same consortium under one grant.
This webinar is an opportunity to meet potential partners, share challenges and explore ideas for future joint projects and proposals.
Bring Your Own Challenge
When registering, you can answer the optional question:
“Is there a challenge in your city or organisation that you would like to address during the discussion?”
We will bring submitted challenges into the session, giving participants an opportunity to hear their issues discussed directly.
If your challenge resonates with another participant’s experience or expertise, it could be the starting point for a new partnership or joint proposal.
Explore the Agenda | Session 3
Please follow the link to view the full agenda, including speakers, session timings and presentation details.