Integrated Flood Risk Management

Developing sustainable, long-term flood resilience requires a management strategy that combines a portfolio of solutions—social, economic, financial, environmental, institutional aspects, engineering, disaster preparedness, insurance, and emergency response requirements. This integrated approach is the only way to manage flood risks especially as climate change evolves.

Conference on Spillover Effects of High-Speed Rail and Quality of Life

Policy makers in developing countries are eager to learn about large-scale public infrastructure such as high-speed rail (HSR). India’s government, for one, has announced plans to adopt Japan’s shinkansen technology for the HSR project between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. JR East is providing technical support based on its extensive experience as a shinkansen operator in Japan.

The Who, What, and How of Seoul as a Smart City

What does it take to become a smart city like Seoul?

In this brown bag session hosted by ADB's Urban Sector Group, Seoul Housing and Communities Corporation (SH) executive director Hongsoo Lee discussed the different factors that led Seoul to become one of the world’s leading smart cities. He also shared his experience working for the urban regeneration of Singapore, another proponent of smart cities, and emphasized the importance of the 4P: public-private-people partnership.

Aukrit Unahalekhaka

Aukrit Unahalekhaka is CEO of Thara Green, a climate-tech venture transforming Thailand's agricultural systems into sustainable, high-value assets through AI, biotech solutions, and nature capital innovations. A serial entrepreneur, he previously co-founded Ricult, empowering over one million farmers and facilitating USD 500M+ in crop transactions across Southeast Asia. His work spans technology deployment and on-the-ground farmer training, guiding agricultural communities toward net-zero transitions.

Tawit Sangveraphunsiri

Tawit Sangveraphunsiri, Ph.D., is a dedicated urban mobility expert focused on transforming transportation within the Southeast Asian context. As Head of Operations at MuvMi, he bridges the gap between academic research and practical, tech-driven solutions.

He has been instrumental in scaling demand-responsive transit, leading initiatives that improved fleet efficiency and transitioned operations to a positive gross profit within nine months. He leverages data analysis and interdisciplinary knowledge to create sustainable, innovative last-mile connectivity for modern cities.

Chutinthorn Mankhong

Ms. Chutinthorn Mankhong is Director of the Safety Planning Bureau at the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), Ministry of Transport, Thailand. She provides strategic leadership on the formulation and implementation of national transport policies and plans related to environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation, and transport safety, with strong engagement at regional and international levels.