#Japan #HoloLab #torinome #Sayama City

HoloLab and Sayama City Join Forces for Innovative Workshops

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing citizen engagement in urban planning, HoloLab, a Tokyo-based technology company, has announced a series of workshops in collaboration with Sayama City. These workshops will incorporate 3D city models and XR (Extended Reality) platforms to allow residents to actively participate in shaping their community's future.

Background and Purpose

The project, funded by Sayama City, is part of the broader effort to create a thriving community where residents can lead rich lives. Mayor Tsuyoshi Koyano of Sayama emphasizes the importance of collaboration with citizens in urban development. However, one significant challenge has been that traditional methods using mere words or flat maps often fail to provide a compelling vision of the future. This can limit broad citizen participation.

By 2025, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism plans to establish 3D city models under the "PLATEAU" project. This technological advancement has paved the way for Sayama to utilize digital twin innovations in urban planning. HoloLab aims to combine the capabilities of the PLATEAU 3D models with its own XR platform, torinome, to create an intuitive environment where anyone can experience and discuss the vision for their city, regardless of their level of expertise.

A Unique Experience at Saitama Marche

To kick off interest in the workshops, HoloLab hosted a citizen experience event on May 31, 2026, at the Sayama City booth during the "Saitama Marche" event. The booth attracted a diverse group of visitors, young and old, who had the opportunity to engage with 3D city models and XR technology firsthand. Three interactive activities were showcased:

1. Find OriPi: A scavenger hunt for the city’s official mascot hidden near the Sayama Station.
2. AR OriPi Photo Opportunities: Participants could summon the mascot via smartphone WebAR for memorable photos.
3. Explore Sayama with torinome: Visitors were able to freely explore the digitally recreated urban environment, layered with various data insights.

Workshop Details

The upcoming workshops are designed to engage citizens from the outset by discussing the fundamental question, "What is urban planning?" and emphasizing the joy of thinking about their community. The immersive sessions will shed light on urban planning information through visualizations created with 3D models and XR. Participants will not only see and touch their city’s future but also engage in collective discussions about it.

Event Details

• - Venue: Sayama City Community Exchange Center
• - Capacity: Approximately 20 participants
• - Target Audience: Residents, workers, or students in Sayama City, regardless of age or expertise. (Note: Enrollment has already closed)

Schedule:

1. Session 1: Guidance and Overall Explanation
- Date: July 5, 2026, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
2. Session 2: Digital Twin Workshop
- Date: August 23, 2026, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
3. Session 3: XR City Walk
- Date: October 25, 2026, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
4. Session 4: XR Workshop
- Date: December 20, 2026, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Roles in the Initiative

• - Sayama City: Issuing contracts, providing local issue insights, and informing the public.
• - HoloLab: Developing and operating the XR environment using torinome.
• - Saitama Design Lab: Planning and managing the workshop sessions.

About Saitama Design Lab

Saitama Design Lab is committed to addressing complex regional issues through design thinking, helping in urban consulting, corporate hometown tax initiatives, and industrial support.

About HoloLab

HoloLab specializes in AR, VR, and XR technologies, focusing on creating innovative experiences through various technologies such as BIM, photogrammetry, and 3D spatial data. Their mission revolves around exploring and disseminating knowledge about the newest developments, particularly in urban digital twins and digital transformation in city planning. Founded in 2017, HoloLab is dedicated to delivering extraordinary experiences to the public.

For more information about the workshops and HoloLab, visit HoloLab's website.