This ADBI-World Conference of Transport Research Society (WCTRS) webinar featured Prof. Michael Wegener, Professor (retired) and former Director of the Institute of Spatial Planning, University of Dortmund, Germany. Prof. Wegener examined the impacts of high-speed rail (HSR) on spatial development in Europe by 2050, based on a project work by the European Spatial Planning Observation Network. He also illustrated the findings from the modeliing of HSR’s effects on economic growth, equality, and energy consumption. Prof. Wegener's presentation was followed by an interesting and enlightening discussion by Prof. Hironori Kato from The University of Tokyo, Japan, who was an invited discussant in the webinar. Prof. Kato illustrated the impacts of HSR development on regional accessibility and economy in the case of Japan and compared them with the European case presented by Prof. Wegener.  Applicability of the presented findings in the post COVID-19 world was also discussed. The webinar witnessed active participation from academics, researchers, planners, practitioners, and government policy makers from all around the world, and provided policy guidance for developing countries that are planning to develop HSR in the future.