MWCC Technical Director Armando Ortuño recently completed a research stay in Tokyo (Japan) and Shenzhen (China) with the aim of analysing and understanding the successful urban management models of two of the largest metropolises on the planet.

During his stay in Tokyo, and thanks to the collaboration with Waseda University, Ortuño had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the public-private partnership formulas that have enabled only 8% of journeys to be made by car in a metropolitan area with more than 40 million inhabitants. This model, in which large transport and real estate companies participate, is combined with spectacular urban regeneration projects characterised by citizen participation and respect for local culture. In addition, he was able to gain an in-depth understanding of the Japanese natural risk management system, considered one of the most advanced and efficient in the world.

For its part, the visit to Shenzhen highlighted the transformation of a small town of 300,000 inhabitants in the 1970s into a megalopolis of more than 21 million today. This ‘urban miracle’ is based on management using artificial intelligence applied to public services, citizen services, businesses and inter-administrative collaboration. Thanks to the mediation of ICEX, Ortuño held meetings with representatives of the Shenzhen Chamber of Commerce, the City Council and the technology company Das Intellitech, who shared the latest advances in smart urban planning.

MWCC congratulates our Technical Director on this research work, which contributes to the development of international networks of excellence and strengthens the Association's position in the field of innovation and urban planning at a global level.