Same City Challenges: Can We Solve Them Together?

Urban Technology Alliance

Final EU–Japan UTA Café: shared city challenges, IoT & AI in Japan, digital twins in Ireland, and partner matchmaking for Horizon Europe.

UTA Café | EU–Japan Webinar Series Session 3: Same City Challenges: Can We Solve Them Together? 8 October 2026 | 09:00–10:30 CEST | 16:00–17:30 JST | 08:00–09:30 Irish timeIn the last session of the EU–Japan Webinar Series, we’ll explore what European and Japanese cities can learn from each other. We’ll discuss the challenges they share and how working together can lead to shared solutions.Cities deal with similar challenges, such as ageing populations, fewer transport options, heatwaves, flooding, fragmented data systems, and residents who no longer trust planning processes. Sometimes, a solution from one place can help solve a problem in another.The session will start with two presentations. First, Prof. Jin Nakazawa from Keio University will discuss real challenges in Fujisawa, Kamakura, and Oiso, and explain how IoT, sensors, and AI can help. Then, Gavin Duffy from RealSim will tell the story of Balbriggan Harbour Square, where residents used a 3D digital twin and VR to explore the new public space before it was built. RealSim and Fingal County Council used this technology to support public consultation and complete the €15 million square.After the presentations, Dr Rodger Lea from the Urban Technology Alliance will lead an open discussion.This discussion is about more than just sharing ideas. Since 31 July 2026, Japan has been an associated country to Horizon Europe, which means Japanese and European partners can now join the same consortium under one grant. This session is a good opportunity to find new partners.If you missed the previous UTA Café sessions:<ul><li><a href="https://urbantechnologyalliance.org/uta-cafe-eu-japan-webinar-series-session-1/" title="https://urbantechnologyalliance.org/uta-cafe-eu-japan-webinar-series-session-1/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Session 1, “From Urban Challenges to Collaborative Solutions in Europe and Japan”</a>, introduced UTA’s international network, presented live pilots on urban heat and social isolation and presented itself as a matchmaker for new joint research consortia.</li><li><a href="https://urbantechnologyalliance.org/uta-cafe-eu-japan-webinar-series-session-2-connecting-europe-and-japan-through-horizon-europe/" title="https://urbantechnologyalliance.org/uta-cafe-eu-japan-webinar-series-session-2-connecting-europe-and-japan-through-horizon-europe/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Session 2, “Connecting Europe and Japan Through Horizon Europe”, </a>covered smart agriculture, urban data, digital twins and EU funding calls.</li></ul>Format &amp; Language<ul><li>Format: Online</li><li>Language: English, Japanese</li><li>Platform: Zoom</li><li>Tools for translation: Zoom AI translated captions; GlobeJoy service provided by NTT Advanced Technology Corporation</li></ul>Bring Your Own ChallengeWhen you register, you can answer an optional question: “Is there a challenge in your city or organisation you would like to address during the discussion?” All submitted challenges will be included in the session so you can hear your issue mentioned by name. If your challenge matches another participant's, it could be the start of a joint proposal.Who Should Attend?<ul><li>Cities and local authorities in Europe and Japan looking for international partners and innovative solutions to urban challenges.</li><li>Urban technology innovators and solution providers interested in testing and scaling their technologies through European projects.</li><li>Universities and research organisations seeking international research and innovation partnerships.</li><li>Companies and industry partners interested in joining Horizon Europe consortia.</li><li>Japanese organisations interested in collaborating with European partners and exploring future EU–Japan funding opportunities.</li><li>Existing UTA members and potential new partners interested in participating in UTA-led consortia.</li></ul>

Agenda

Welcome to the final session of the EU–Japan Webinar Series and a brief introduction to the session format.

Welcome & Setting the Scene

Prof. Nakazawa will present real-world challenges identified through collaboration with local municipalities, including Fujisawa, Kamakura, and Oiso. The presentation will explore the societal and technical challenges suburban and regional communities face and how technologies such as IoT, sensing, and AI can address them.

Societal & Technical Challenges in Japanese Suburban & Regional Communities

From Engagement to Delivery: Using Digital Twins to Create Greener Public Spaces – The Balbriggan Harbour Square Project. How can digital twins help communities understand, shape and deliver better public spaces? Gavin Duffy will share the story of Balbriggan Harbour Square, where residents explored the proposed public realm through an interactive 3D digital twin and VR before the project was built. The session will show how RealSim and Fingal County Council used digital technology to make urban plans easier to understand, support public consultation and ultimately connect the virtual vision with the completed €15 million Harbour Square.

Digital Twins for Greener Public Spaces: Balbriggan Harbour Square

The discussion will connect challenges with solutions and look for ways shared problems can become opportunities to work together.

Same City Challenges: Can We Solve Them Together?

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Same City Challenges: Can We Solve Them Together?

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