Urban Issues and Solutions Discussed at the 2024 Tokyo International Urban Summit

On May 16, 2024, the 'City Leaders Program' international conference was held at a hotel in Tokyo, with representatives from over 40 cities in attendance. This conference was part of the 'SUSTech Tokyo 2024' event hosted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The conference delved into three main topics: 'Safe and Secure Cities,' 'Inclusion and Equity,' and 'Environment.' The 'Safe and Secure Cities' session featured the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's 'Tokyo Resilience Project.' This project is implementing various measures to protect the city from flood damage, including the improvement of underground water retention facilities and the raising of seawalls.

The 'Inclusion and Equity' session provided an overview of the 'Tokyo Smart City Creation Project.' The session detailed how this initiative leverages cutting-edge technology to address urban challenges.

The 'Environment' session presented the 'Tokyo Metropolitan Government's Global Warming Countermeasures.' The presentation highlighted the goal of achieving net-zero emissions within Tokyo by 2050.

In addition to city leaders, the conference attracted representatives from businesses and academia. The primary objective was to facilitate global collaboration through the sharing of challenges and solutions faced by each participant. A joint statement is expected to be drafted on the 17th based on the discussions of the conference. This statement is anticipated to address the issues faced by participating cities and offer concrete solutions.

Meanwhile, Japan experiences significantly higher rainfall than the global average, with substantial fluctuations, making flood risks prevalent in various regions. To mitigate this, 'house height extension construction' projects are actively underway. These projects not only minimize damage to homes but also improve living conditions. By selecting a specialized contractor and applying for government subsidies, the cost burden can be reduced.

Furthermore, measures are being taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from sources such as power plants and buildings. Increasing the utilization of renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels are key initiatives. Government policies, corporate solutions, and individual actions are all necessary to achieve this goal.