Tokyo Development Learning Center : A Global Knowledge Hub for Livable Cities

Overview & Synopsis

Established in 2004 as a partnership between the Government of Japan and the World Bank, the Tokyo Development Learning Center (TDLC) was conceived as a distance learning center. Today, it has transformed into a dynamic platform hosting impactful in-person international learning events. TDLC aspires to become a premier learning hub focused on creating livable cities, firmly rooted in Tokyo, Japan. For two decades, TDLC has been instrumental in enhancing urban development projects in developing countries by sharing Japan’s successful experiences and best practices. The program primarily benefits cities in the developing world, where rapid urbanization presents significant challenges. It connects knowledge and learning with policy, programs, and projects worldwide. TDLC identifies and disseminates Japanese and international best practices to generate actionable solutions to urban problems that World Bank-supported projects aim to address. Its demand-driven business model allows it to effectively contribute to capacity building needs of World Bank client cities, specifically in program design and implementation.