06/2026 – 08/2026: Research Visit in Osaka, Japan
Starting mid-June 2026, I will visit Ritsumeikan University in Osaka, Japan, for a research visit of 2,5 months. The theme of the research visit is urban governance and technology innovation in smart cities. Building on prior research in a German smart city project, which highlighted challenges such as limited administrative capacity and the need for stronger citizen integration, this study explores how Japan addresses these issues. This research aims to explore how smart traffic initiatives in Japan are designed, implemented, and coordinated, and to identify key stakeholders and mechanisms that enable successful innovation. The expected outcome is a framework outlining best practices and transferable lessons regarding smart city project management, stakeholder collaboration, and governance.
The research is kindly supported by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS).