‘Visionary Exchange’ is an invitation-only programme that will be held three times, and this is the first programme. To establish a meaningful forum that fosters ongoing collaboration among stakeholders, both during and beyond the Theme Weeks, thereby building shared understanding and connections that contribute to designing the future of society.

10:00　Venue　open/Welcome　coffee
10:30-12:00 　PartⅠ：Speech and discussion
Main Topic:The Future of Community and Mobility(What is a community where we can live as we are?)
1. Community Building through Resilience and Co-Creation
2. Sustainable Urban and Regional Development and Mobility
3. A Society Integrating the Physical and Digital Worlds
4. Inclusive and Digitally-Centric Next-Generation Community

12:00-13:30　Part Ⅱ： Lunch networking

【Session 1: Community Building through Resilience and Co-Creation 】

-Programme Summary

This session focused on “urban and regional resilience” in an era of frequent natural disasters and rapid changes. It explored how sustainable, safe, and secure communities can be built through collaboration among citizens, businesses, and governments. By sharing case studies of revitalization through public-private partnerships and effective governance, the session aimed to discover practical ideas that lead to the formation of "decision-making committed to the future."

Speakers included Mr. Ali Al Madfaei from the UAE and Mr. Clarence Chua from Singapore, who discussed enhancing community safety and resilience through the fusion of traditional wisdom and advanced technology.

-Remarks by Mr. Ali Al Madfaei

Mr Ali Al Madfaei introduced the UAE’s national strategies and philosophical values under the theme “Community Building through Resilience and Co-Creation.” Reflecting on the nation’s participation in World Expos since 1970, he discussed how the UAE has pursued not only economic and technological development, but also societal sustainability amid crises and uncertainty. He emphasised the importance of value-based decision-making as a core element of resilience.

He asserted that true national progress is not measured by the height of buildings or technological advancement, but by the protection of human life and the creation of safe, cohesive communities. Highlighting the UAE’s integration of traditional wisdom and smart disaster prevention technologies, he illustrated how such practices underpin resilience and long-term sustainability.

He also redefined innovation as a responsible action in support of people’s wellbeing, rather than a pursuit of competitive advancement. Stressing the importance of international cooperation and mutual learning, he concluded that resilience cannot be achieved by one nation alone, but must be built through shared values and complementary strengths.

-Remarks by Mr. Clarence Chua

Mr Clarence Chua emphasised the importance of a strategic, whole-of-society approach to building communities that are resilient to climate change and natural disasters. He introduced Singapore’s practical framework based on “three pillars” — government support, community engagement, and expert knowledge — and explained that multi-sector, multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential for building resilience.

He particularly highlighted Singapore’s cross-governmental coordination that fosters a shared vision and goals, alongside the creation of sandbox-like experimental spaces where communities are empowered to tackle challenges proactively. These environments emphasise the importance of understanding trade-offs and forming consensus through mechanisms such as focus groups and dialogue councils to ensure diverse voices are heard.

Furthermore, Mr Chua spoke about inviting experts to bridge knowledge and information gaps, and implementing concrete measures based on successful case studies. Citing greening initiatives along Cambridge Road, he illustrated that resilience goes beyond disaster preparedness — it also contributes to community revitalisation.

-Audience Comment / Question①

An attendee asked Mr Ali Al Madfaei about how majlis—a traditional community gathering space unique to the UAE—contributes to enhancing community resilience through cultural practices. He explained that the majlis serves multiple purposes, including weddings, funerals, and community meetings, and functions as a venue for dialogue and decision-making. He requested a more detailed explanation of its specific role and mechanisms.

-Response by Mr. Ali Al Madfaei①

Mr Al Madfaei emphasised how the majlis has long fostered trust and solidarity within the community in the UAE. He explained that, historically, it has been customary to consult tribal leaders—sheikhs—for support and judgement, establishing a societal structure grounded in trust that continues to this day. He referred to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which a leader’s words, “You do not bear the burden alone,” brought reassurance to society as a whole.

He stated that the majlis serves as a space for consensus-building and comfort, and forms the cultural core of resilience in the UAE.

-Audience Comment / Question②

An attendee posed a question regarding what other countries can learn from the UAE’s experience, particularly in an era where traditions and cultural knowledge are increasingly being lost. She expressed interest in universal lessons drawn from the UAE’s practices, given a growing concern over the weakening of cultural foundations in contemporary society.

-Response by Mr Ali Al Madfaei②

Mr Al Madfaei explained that the wisdom developed in the UAE’s harsh desert environment and resource-scarce conditions offers valuable insights for the present day. Precisely because resources were limited, people cultivated a sense of minimising waste and making the most of what they had. He noted that this mindset stems from values nurtured through humble beginnings and constraints.

He concluded that difficult circumstances can in fact become the starting point for creativity and sustainability.

【Session 2: Sustainable Urban and Regional Development and Mobility】

-Programme Summary

This session focused on how evolving infrastructure and mobility technologies can enable citizen-centric and sustainable growth in both urban and regional settings.

In light of pressing challenges such as climate change and global energy transitions, the session explored the need to reimagine urban and regional frameworks and examined the possibilities of environmentally sustainable and life-enhancing urban design.

By discussing the impact of sustainable infrastructure development and mobility innovation on daily life—and the respective roles of the public and private sectors—the session aimed to envision inclusive and resilient future cities.

Speakers included Mr. Lukas Savickas, who leads smart city policy in Lithuania, and Mr Ashish Khanna, who promotes solar-powered urban development. Each shared strategies for sustainable urban growth from differing vantage points.

-Remarks by Mr Lukas Savickas

Mr Lukas Savickas outlined Lithuania’s smart city strategy, highlighting the government’s role and practical examples of innovation.

He showcased advanced efforts in various fields, including the integration of e-mobility and renewable energy, traffic management using Sentinel satellites, and reforms in the proptech (property technology) sector.
The Lithuanian government regards public procurement as a tool to foster innovation, promoting co-creation with private companies through initiatives such as GovTech Labs, alongside proactive institutional and financial support.

He also referenced the national vision of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030, aiming to integrate green infrastructure and urban energy self-sufficiency.
By turning bureaucratic systems to their advantage and creating a flexible environment for pilot testing and implementation, Lithuania is enhancing both the sustainability and competitiveness of its cities.
He concluded that the government must act as a facilitator of innovation rather than merely a regulator—an approach that serves as the driving force behind urban development in Lithuania.

-Remarks by Mr Ashish Khanna

Mr Ashish Khanna, representing the International Solar Alliance (ISA), emphasised the critical importance of integrating renewable energy with urban planning in today’s rapidly urbanising world. He pointed out that around 70% of buildings yet to be constructed will be located in developing countries, highlighting that we are currently at a pivotal stage in designing the “cities of the future.” He noted how advancements in e-mobility, solar rooftops, and autonomous technologies are reshaping transport and housing systems.

He categorised the key factors for expanding renewable energy into three domains: “policy and regulation,” “social acceptance,” and “integration with urban design.” Citing the example of India’s ambitious 1,000 GW solar deployment goal, he stressed the need for legal frameworks to address infrastructure challenges such as land use, transmission, and balancing. Furthermore, he mentioned that mechanisms like carbon credits can help encourage household- and community-level adoption, and that success in urban energy transitions requires not only technology but also institutional design and public understanding.

-Audience Comment/Question①

An attendee addressed a question to Minister Lukas Savickas concerning the relationship between digital-green investment and talent strategies in smart city policy. Based on the premise that “the scarcest resource is talent,” she inquired what efforts were being made not only in urban areas but also in rural regions to attract, cultivate, and retain skilled individuals.

-Response by Mr Lukas Savickas①

Mr Savickas responded that not only Vilnius but also regional cities in Lithuania are rapidly emerging as green and digital hubs within Europe. He emphasised the government’s collaboration with educational institutions to foster talent, citing university-backed skill-building support, specialised programmes for new competencies, and the steady annual growth of local talent pools. He concluded by stating that swift and agile policymaking underpins both the competitiveness and sustainability of cities across Lithuania.

-Audience Comment/Question②

A question was posed to Minister Savickas by an attendee asking how citizens are involved in decision-making processes. Based on the notion that future cities belong to their citizens, the question centred on the importance of incorporating civic voices into urban planning and how this is practically achieved.

-Response by Mr Lukas Savickas②

Mr Savickas emphasised that involving citizens in decision-making is key to building trust. He shared that Lithuania has adopted a system in which local residents vote directly on how a portion of municipal budgets is allocated. Communities can propose their own projects, and those receiving public support are implemented. While he acknowledged that overlaps or friction may occur, he underscored the significance of civic engagement in policymaking and the importance of a co-creative relationship between government and citizens in shaping the cities of the future.

-Audience Comment/Question③

A question was directed to Mr Ashish Khanna of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), inquiring how skill development and capacity-building are being addressed across the ISA’s 123 diverse member countries in the context of integrating renewable energy into urban infrastructure and transport systems.

-Response by Mr Ashish Khanna③

Mr Khanna explained that one of ISA’s core initiatives is the establishment of Centres of Excellence focused on skill and capacity development across various countries. Sixteen such centres have already been set up, with requests from an additional 50 nations. By leveraging digital hubs such as those in India, ISA is building a global collaboration network to support human resource development. He stressed that capacity-building goes beyond technical assistance, serving as a source of hope and dignity for local communities, and expressed his commitment to further international cooperation.

【Session 3: A Society Integrating the Physical and Digital World】

-Programme Summary

This session re-examines the societal impact of digital technology as it integrates with the physical world. In urban environments, including transport and mobility, increasing intersections occur between physical embodiment and connectivity, perception and computation. The discussion explores how technology influences human life and sensibilities, as well as our approaches to ethics and responsibility.

The speaker, Ms Sarah Sharples, Chief Scientific Adviser at the UK Department for Transport and an expert in human-centred transport technologies, presents how advancements in quantum technologies, AI, and interactive media can foster inclusive and sustainable societal experiences. The session further explores how, in a future where physical and biological dimensions converge, society should harness these technologies for the common good.

-Remarks by Ms Sarah Sharples

Ms Sarah Sharples explored the convergence of the physical and digital in the context of transport experiences, offering a broad outlook from everyday mobility to quantum computing and the metaverse. She noted that technological progress is transforming mobility beyond traditional constraints of space and time, with integrated activities such as cinema viewing, 3D visualisation, and smart payments already becoming reality. Furthermore, she described a future where AI and biometric sensing technologies can analyse our emotions and bodily data, enabling socially rich and lifelike experiences within the metaverse.

At the same time, she emphasised the dual nature of these changes—highlighting both the convenience of contactless interaction and the risk of losing spontaneous human connections. She called for ethically responsible implementation, recognising both the positive potential of expanding access for marginalised groups and the associated risks to privacy and security. Ms Sharples concluded by stressing the importance of all stakeholders working together to ensure that technological advancements contribute to a society where no one is left behind.

-Audience Comment/Question①

An attendee from the metaverse industry raised a question about the role of gaming technologies in urban planning and transport. The participant, who is involved in the development of Apple Vision Pro, asked how spatial computing technologies may influence future urban and mobility experiences.

-Response by Ms Sarah Sharples①

Ms Sharples acknowledged the gaming community’s significant contribution to the advancement of spatial technologies, particularly through the proliferation of low-cost sensing and monitoring technologies and the promotion of 3D visualisation tools. She highlighted that such visualisation technologies can assist with urban navigation and help users prepare for unexpected situations. For people with neurological disabilities in particular, being able to understand and predict environments in advance helps reduce anxiety and provides a safer, more confident way to travel.

-Audience Comment/Question②

An attendee commented on the use of social media for communication during disasters. Citing the effectiveness of Twitter during the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, she noted that in ageing societies like Japan, many elderly people are left behind due to difficulties using smartphones. She asked about strategies in the UK to support older populations.

-Response by Ms Sarah Sharples②

Ms Sharples acknowledged that the UK faces similar challenges, particularly the risk of excluding older people as transport services become increasingly digital. She emphasised the importance of collaboration with local communities. Citing findings from the Royal Academy, she explained that digital literacy is closely linked to general literacy. She stressed that the government's key responsibility is to raise levels of numeracy and literacy, thereby enabling older individuals to engage with technology confidently.

-Audience Comment/Question③

An attendee referred to the advancement of technology-based startups in Japan and the United States that integrate digital technology with healthcare. She also pointed out that public authorities and medical institutions are often not effectively adopting AI and digital technologies. Referring to initiatives like the NHS in the UK, she asked whether there are specific policies or initiatives in the UK to promote the use of digital technologies in the medical sector.

-Response by Ms Sarah Sharples③

Ms Sharples explained that the UK has drawn inspiration from Japan’s home-based robotics technologies, noting that enabling elderly individuals to live and receive care independently at home also contributes to cost reduction for the government.

As concrete examples, she cited the “Hospital at Home” initiative and the use of sensor-based vital monitoring, observing that younger doctors are increasingly adopting portable medical devices.

However, she also cautioned that allowing doctors to remotely monitor patients from home has had unintended side effects, such as making it harder for them to rest physically and mentally. She emphasised the importance of carefully assessing not only the implementation of new technologies but also how they are actually used and the impact they have on medical professionals.

【Session 4: Inclusive and Digitally-Centric Next-Generation Community】

-Programme Summary

The final session explored the nature of next-generation communities where diverse individuals can connect and live together through technology. Going beyond economic efficiency and convenience, the session aimed to envision a society where everyone can participate with dignity. Discussions were grounded in real-world practices through the lens of inclusivity and digital empowerment.

Speakers included Mr Joshua Tseng, a communications strategist amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities, and Mr Henry Tsang, an architect and professor from Canada advancing accessible design and mind-friendly environments. Each presented possibilities for a digitally inclusive society rooted in diversity.

-Remarks by Mr Joshua Tseng

As a person with a disability and a specialist in media strategy, Mr Tseng launched a campaign rooted in a heartfelt desire: “to be understood.” In this campaign, persons with disabilities shared their own stories in their own words, not through government channels, but directly via TikTok and Instagram. Seven individuals with disabilities and their caregivers posted 42 videos, which garnered over 20 million views.

One key to the campaign’s success was humour—incorporating laughter and warmth into even heavy topics helped build engagement and empathy. By honestly answering basic questions about disability, the campaign sparked curiosity and encouraged natural learning.

Rather than portraying disability as distant, the campaign highlighted real lives, emotions, and aspirations, reframing social minorities as familiar and relatable. Mr Tseng argued that such curiosity-driven community building is more effective than conventional educational approaches and represents an inclusive form of social participation that only digital platforms can make possible.

-Remarks by Mr Henry Tsang

Mr Tsang drew upon Canada’s experience as a multi-ethnic and multicultural society, emphasising that inclusion is not merely about bringing others in, but about developing the awareness to ask, “Who is being left out?” He stressed that the onus should not be placed on marginalised individuals, but rather on society to reflect on how it engages with them.

He pointed to the lack of representation in architecture and urban planning as a structural issue, using the design of women’s toilets as an example to illustrate the failure to incorporate female perspectives. He also noted that current building codes are typically based on minimum safety standards for emergencies, and criticised the absence of a rights-based approach to accessibility.

Rather than symbolic or superficial accessibility, Mr Tsang called for inclusive design shaped by the direct involvement of persons with disabilities. He highlighted the importance of capacity building initiatives—such as those by the Rick Hansen Foundation—that support learning for inclusive design. Ultimately, he concluded that the inclusivity of society is determined by who holds decision-making power in spatial planning.

-Audience Comment/Question

An attendee posed a question regarding the benefits of technology for diverse communities, citing two real-life examples. The first involved how the advent of Apple Vision Pro has enabled blind individuals to better navigate physical spaces, suggesting a new way of engaging with the built environment. The second referred to an incident in San Francisco, where a woman was able to travel home safely late at night using a self-driving car. This illustrated the sense of “freedom” and “liberation” made possible by enhanced safety through technology. The question asked for views on the social impact of such emerging technologies, especially for those who are often overlooked, and the associated challenges of social integration.

-Response by Mr Henry Tsang

Mr Tsang stated that safety is fundamentally about building a society where people support each other and feel protected. He cited the example of children walking to school alone in Japan as a reflection of strong community networks. Regarding the role of technology, he emphasised the function of IoT and sensor-based systems in gathering and delivering information about physical spaces to those who need it. He argued that the critical issue is not merely the existence of information, but how and to whom it is communicated. The use of mobile devices and thoughtful delivery methods holds great potential. He concluded that technologies aimed at ensuring safety and security only become meaningful when they are linked to wider structures of social support.

-Response by Mr Joshua Tseng

Mr Tseng remarked that the ability to access and utilise information for navigating physical spaces is a critical issue for people with visual impairments. He emphasised that the starting point lies in the accessibility of basic app information, such as availability and tutorials. Highlighting the limitations of visual information—such as image-based signage in train stations—he pointed to promising developments like NaviLens, which offers audio navigation for the blind. However, he stressed that access alone is not sufficient; literacy education is also crucial to empower users. He advocated for inclusive thinking to be incorporated from the earliest stages of technological development, ensuring that people with disabilities are able to fully benefit from new tools and innovations.

【Closing Reflections by Moderator Mr. Seiji Inada】

This Visionary Exchange provided a rare opportunity to confront a fundamental question: What does “community” truly mean in the world we live in today? From the agricultural era through the Industrial Revolution to the age of “Society 5.0,” humanity has repeatedly redefined the conditions for living with dignity. I believe this discussion served as an attempt to illustrate, through concrete examples, a vision for a future where everyone can live true to themselves, and where no one is left behind in inclusive and empathetic communities.

Resilience and the Infrastructure of Shared Values

What left the deepest impression on me was the recognition that the essence of resilience lies not only in physical infrastructure, but also in shared values and cultural foundations. Certainly, the physical conditions of a city - such as safe, walkable urban spaces - are important. Yet more essential are the systems and cultural norms that allow people from diverse backgrounds to understand and support one another. I was reminded that true resilience must be built upon this “infrastructure of values.”

Cities, Mobility, and the International Community

Another insight was how the discourse around sustainable cities and mobility has moved beyond the traditional dichotomy of economic growth versus environmental protection. These discussions now touch on the emergence of new social contracts and global norms. In an era where aging infrastructure, inefficiencies in logistics, and increasing exposure to various risks - including natural disasters -challenge cities everywhere, urban development is no longer a domestic issue. As cities and mobility platforms become increasingly interconnected across borders, I believe it is essential to recognize that urban planning is now inherently tied to the landscape of international politics and economics.

Coexistence of Digital and Physical Realms in Community Life

A third realization was how the fusion of physical and digital space is reshaping the structure of society and human perception. New experiences made possible by technology challenge the way we understand emotion and empathy - and require us to rethink education and the design of our societies. While AR/VR, and sensor technologies continue to evolve, this only reaffirms the importance of non-verbal communication and embodied experience. To me, the key to building inclusive communities lies in how we continue to ask, and answer, the question: How can we preserve harmony between technology and humanity?