Charter Cities Podcast

Brooke Bowman and Mark Lutter discuss charter cities, economic development challenges, and community-building. They touch on the importance of genuine connections in city developments, co-living without excessive overhead, and creating spaces for like-minded individuals to gather. The conversation delves into culture, innovation, and the potential of charter cities to foster vibrant, sustainable communities with positive societal impact.

What would it take to create the ideal jurisdiction for global tech companies to be able to grow and scale in Africa? Joining us today to unpack this question is Luqman Edu, co-founder and CEO of Itana, Nigeria’s first Digital Free Zone. Through their partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria, Itana is creating an opportunity for global businesses to operate and provide services remotely, without being physically present in Nigeria. We use today’s conversation to delve into the ins and outs of building a Digital Free Zone, Itana’s ambition to become the Delaware of Africa, how this will help companies connect with untapped African talent, and what it will take to realize these goals. We discuss the key challenges startups and companies typically face when trying to do business in Nigeria or Africa, how Itana is solving these problems, the unique benefits they are offering to the first 100 companies to partner with them, and much more. You won’t want to miss out on this thought-provoking conversation with Luqmna Edu on Itana, the innovative work that they’re doing, and why success for Itana means success for Africa!Key Points From This Episode:Introducing today’s guest, Luqman Edu.An overview of Itana, Nigeria’s first Digital Free Zone.Common challenges for companies doing business in Africa.Details on traditional Free Zones in Nigeria.Policy and legal measures for making Itana an authentic Digital Free Zone.A rundown of the incentives for working in Itana.The requirements for being able to operate in Itana.Itana’s physical campus and their goals for it.Insight into Itana’s progress thus far and the companies operating within Itana.How Itana is helping companies access Nigerian talent.Other Digital Free Zones across the world and how they have influenced Itana.Reflections on the future of Free Zones in Africa more generally.How Luqman’s experience in the public and private sector has shaped his choices for Itana.What they are doing to ensure Itana’s sustainability.The increasingly important role of tech in the Nigerian economy.How Itana wants to facilitate the success of tech companies across the continent.The Itana 100: who they are and how you can join!Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Luqman Edu on LinkedInItanaItana 100Charter Cities InstituteCharter Cities Institute on FacebookCharter Cities Institute on X

Exploring the importance of structural transformation in developing countries, the challenges faced by governments, and the role of Growth Teams in driving economic stability. Topics include the definition of structural transformation, government outreach, and the impact of skilled migration on economic growth. The podcast also delves into industry-specific investment climates, government challenges, and the need for building government capabilities for sustained growth strategies.

Affordable housing and economic development challenges in Africa are multifaceted and interconnected, but what is the solution? In today’s conversation, we sit down with Jon Vandenheuvel, the founder of Small Farm Cities Africa and senior advisor for the Charter Cities Institute. Small Farm Cities integrates horticulture, aquaculture, infrastructure, and residential housing for ownership and wealth creation throughout Africa. Jon is a visionary leader in agribusiness, municipal infrastructure development, and applied technology systems. His impactful work spans multiple African nations, where he has spearheaded infrastructure, agribusiness, and e-commerce initiatives to help foster economic growth. In our conversation, we unpack his hyper-affordable agribusiness concept, the importance of systems solutions to systems problems like poverty, and how Jon came to be building new cities in Africa. Discover his definition of affordable housing, what is stunting the development of African countries, and why formal ownership of housing and land is so crucial for Africa. We delve into why building and storing wealth is a core value of Small Farm Cities, how the company plans to scale, leveraging the industrial sector for development, realizing Africa's economic potential, and much more! Jon also shares details about the success of their pilot project in Malawi and how the concept is resulting in larger projects he is currently working on. To find out how Jon is driving housing accessibility and development in Africa, tune in now!Key Points From This Episode:The definition of a small farm city and details about the first community he built.Affordable formal ownership of housing and why it is significant for African countries.Providing an affordable housing baseline while incorporating building options.Learn about the company’s approach to housing modularity and scaling. Jon shares his approach to sourcing and developing talent for Small Farm Cities. Scaling the company’s method and how it is entering the light industrial sector. Unlocking Africa’s industrial potential to build communities and cities. Malawi’s Special Economic Zone Law and why it is a win for the country.Valuable lessons and takeaways from their project in Ghana. Transitioning refugee cities into investable and productive cities. His professional background and career journey to Small Farm Cities. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Jon Vandenheuvel on LinkedInSmall Farm CitiesAfrica Risk DashboardLeif Van Grinsven on LinkedInStarlinkRio TintoThe Mystery of CapitalNational Planning CommissionThomas Munthali on LinkedInMIT School of Architecture and Urban PlanningFoundation for a Smoke-Free WorldPatri Friedman on LinkedInPronomos CapitalCharter Cities InstituteCharter Cities Institute on FacebookCharter Cities Institute on X

Ethiopia's Developmental State model has garnered attention for its ambitious goals and efforts to transform the economy, but has it been successful? Joining us today is Tom Lavers, Senior lecturer in Politics and Development at The University of Manchester, to help navigate this complex topic. Tom is a dedicated researcher whose passion lies in exploring the intricate interplay between social and political dynamics amid structural shifts. His research is characterized by a nuanced investigation into the changing socio-political landscapes and the evolving relationships between states and societies. In our conversation, we delve into Ethiopia's political coalition shifts and explore the government's achievements and setbacks in fostering development. We discuss Ethiopia’s complex historical roots, how statehood has significantly shaped Ethiopia's development trajectory, the distributive crisis in Ethiopia, and the factors contributing to Ethiopia's current challenges. Gain valuable insights into the country’s industrial landscape, developmental strategies, geographical equity hurdles, urbanization shifts, and much more. Tune in for a comprehensive exploration of Ethiopia's developmental journey with expert Tom Lavers! Key Points From This Episode:The definition of a developmental state and typical examples.Learn what a distributive crisis is and how it applies to Ethiopia.An overview of the successes and failures of Ethiopia’s government.Top-down versus bottom-up factors contributing to Ethiopia’s crisis.How centuries of statehood shaped Ethiopia’s developmental drive.Explore the evolution of Ethiopia’s land and agricultural sector.Ethiopia's equity and ethnically inclusive developmental strategies.Valuable insights into Ethiopia’s industrial landscape.Urbanization, industrialization, and the complex interplay with politics.Emerging trends and dynamics of urbanization in Ethiopia.Tom shares details about his next upcoming project.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Tom Lavers on LinkedInThe University of ManchesterThe Global Development Institute (GDI) Ethiopia's Developmental State: Political Order and Distributive CrisisSeeing like a State The NYU Marron InstituteCharter Cities InstituteCharter Cities Institute on FacebookCharter Cities Institute on X

Lant Pritchett, distinguished economist and thought leader in development economics, discusses growth diagnostics, limitations of development metrics, and the potential of charter cities for sustainable growth. Topics include the misallocation of talent, challenges in developing countries, the significance of urbanization, the role of institutions, labor mobility, effective philanthropy, and national development.

On today's Charter Cities episode, host Jeffrey Mason is joined by colleagues Heba Elhanafy and Matthew McCartney to unpack the New Africa's Bad Urban Laws project. This initiative dissects laws in African cities hindering growth and community well-being. Additionally, Jeffrey reminds listeners of the upcoming Africa's New City Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. The team dives deep, discussing the reasons for and effects of detrimental urban laws, using instances like Zambia's land ownership as an example. Tune in for an insightful discussion on urban policies in Africa.Key Points From This Episode:How urban laws negatively affect African urban environments across fiscal, administrative, and spatial planningThe project exposes bad urban laws and questions their persistent existence in African citiesBad urban laws persist due to misunderstandings, political interests, and distributional benefitsHow Zambia's outdated land ownership laws, rooted in colonial times, benefit a few and hinder economic developmentEgypt's attempt to modernize land laws led to unique urban challenges affecting millionsUrban physician reforms laws with expertise; urban politician navigates political realities for urban changesInteractive map showcases bad urban laws, allows user contributions for more awarenessCCI's research aims for awareness through interactive maps and practical urban reformLinks Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Africas New Cities SummitCharter Cities InstituteCharter Cities Institute on FacebookCharter Cities Institute on Twitter

Coming up on today's episode of Charter Cities, we have a very special guest joining host Mark Lutter: Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of community building and the importance of creating meaningful connections within cities and online communities. We explore the challenges and successes of building communities in different contexts, from crypto communities to health tribes. With insights from Vitalik's own experiences and observations, we discuss the value of diversity, the impact of infrastructure on small towns, and the need for community filters. Stay tuned for an enriching conversation on the power of communities in shaping our lives and the future of cities.Key Points From This Episode:Factors driving relocation due to cost of livingEmotional disconnect from home countriesGlobal impact of the crypto industryNavigating immigration complexitiesGrowing trend of purposeful location choices for hubsZuzalu community's remarkable success storySignificance of local insights in community buildingDiverse dynamics within health-focused communitiesCautions against hasty expansion and misuse of Zozalu's nameStructured growth imperative as project scalesRegional influencers and quest for secure refugesUrban and rural benefits of clusteringInfrastructure's role in enhancing small town appealSpecial network effects in close-knit communitiesDigital communities united by shared valuesSovereignty quest challenges and complexitiesCommunity's pivotal role in city developmentNavigating delegation challenges and preventing tyrannyLinks Mentioned in Today’s Episode:ZuzaluVitalik on TwitterVitalik on MediumCharter Cities InstituteCharter Cities Institute on FacebookCharter Cities Institute on Twitter

Host Jeffrey Mason welcomes esteemed guests Martin Rama and Yue Li to another enthralling episode of Charter Cities. Together, they embark on a deep exploration of the intriguing world of private cities, delving into their impact on urban agglomerations and the delicate interplay with local governments. Tune in today to hear their insights on the successes and challenges that private cities face, as well as the potentials that lie ahead. Through engaging discussions and vivid examples, our hosts and guests will illustrate the multifaceted landscape of private urban development. Martin and Yue share their perspectives on how private actors are reshaping urban environments and the intricate dynamics that govern these relationships. As our episode unfolds, the conversation navigates the complexities of urban development, revealing the key facts and insights surrounding this captivating subject. Thanks for listening!Key Points From This Episode:The significance of private cities as major urban agglomerations with political constituenciesThe push for a voice and a shift towards traditional cities as the population growsResistance against converting successful private cities into traditional onesStrategic underinvestment by private actors in services, relying on government provisionEvolution of institutions between private actors and local governmentsDesigning private cities to offer improved services and environmentsWillingness of residents and firms to pay a premium for landBenefits for developers or companies through increased land valueExploration of different private city models and demographic focusesA historical look at private cities and their reemergence in modern timesExamples of private cities in both advanced and developing countriesAn overview of private cities and their types in various countriesFocus on initial research in South Asia, including India and PakistanIndonesia's status as the country with the highest number of private citiesCategorization into company towns, strategic cities, and mixed citiesPrevalence of strategic cities in Indonesia, with some in IndiaAn analysis of economic activities and government support in private citiesVarious economic activities spearheaded by the private sectorEfforts to seek favorable treatment from the governmentThe role of special economic zones and infrastructure supportStrategies to attract specific industries and investorsThe urgent need for empirical research on economic dynamics and inequalityTentative conclusions and a call for further researchDefinitions and challenges associated with private citiesContradictions with typical city governance run by local governmentThe leading role played by private actors in planning, financing, and service operationChallenging but not new conventional notions of city governancePublic-private partnerships (PPPs) in private city governanceTopological studies, inventories, and governance evolution within private citiesVariations in roles and functions between the private sector and local governmentLand value capture and equity issues in private city developmentThe viability and underinvestment associated with value capture limitationsCreative equity solutions, such as preserving original residents or project sharesExploration of alternative value recovery and fairness mechanismsThe challenges faced by local governments in designing effective value capture strategiesLinks Mentioned in Today’s Episode:The Asian Infrastructure Investment BankMartin Rama on The World BankMartin Rama on LinkedInCharter Cities InstituteCharter Cities Institute on FacebookCharter Cities Institute on Twitter

Charter Cities Institute Founder and Chairman Mark Lutter returns to the podcast to share his perspective on network states, charter city trends, and more. Mark is also the CEO of Braavos Cities, a charter city development company partnering with local landowners and a leading organizer of Zuzalu, a new pop-up city in Montenegro. Tune in today to hear Mark’s insights on existing network states and why they have either succeeded or failed. You’ll also learn about some of the challenges associated with attracting appropriate talent to cities in order to facilitate growth. Mark shares his experience at Zuzalu and describes the flat hierarchical structure that was made possible there. Using the metaphor of gardening instead of carpentry, Mark illustrates his unique approach to building network cities. Hear how Mark differs from others in the charter city space on the matter of location and his analysis of the global response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. As our episode draws to a close, Mark reveals his thoughts on restarting struggling economies, finding buy-in from local government, and more. Thanks for listening!Key Points From This Episode:An introduction to today’s episode with CCI Founder and Chairman Mark Lutter. What Zuzali is and how it came together with reference to Vitalik Buterin and Balaji Srinivasan.Defining the terms ‘pop up city’, ‘pop up village’, and ‘network state’. How the historical failures of network-type states influence Mark’s feelings.Examining the examples of Israel, Utah, Salt Lake City, and Jonestown.Considering why San Francisco is especially susceptible to cults.Why Mark returned from Montenegro and Zuzalu with optimism for network states.How the internet can behave as a giant sorting mechanism.His predictions for how sorting mechanisms will change in the future.The problem of attracting appropriate talent to cities. Why Montenegro was the chosen location for Zuzalu. Building Zuzalu whilst building local relationships.The role of the host government in the success of Zuzalu. Where the name Zuzalu came from.Flat status hierarchies in network cities and other agglomerates.How they managed to sustain a flat hierarchy at Zuzalu. What it means to think like a gardener and not a carpenter.What Braavos Cities is and what it aims to do.Where Mark differs from other folks in the charter city space on the matter of location.Two migration patterns to tap into. The greatest successes of the COVID-19 pandemic and what could have been adopted instead.Distinguishing between Charter Cities Institute and Braavos Cities.Restarting an economy through leveraging comparative advantage.Getting buy-in from local government.Job creation and investment. The Zanzibar project that Mark is excited about at the moment.Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:Mark LutterMark Lutter on TwitterMark Lutter on MediumMark Lutter EmailBraavos CitiesZuzaluVitalik ButerinBalaji SrinivasanVictoria Harbor GroupScott Alexander on InstagramTyler Cowen on TwitterCharter Cities InstituteCharter Cities Institute on FacebookCharter Cities Institute on Twitter