Charter Cities Podcast Kurtis Lockhart

How do you take the positive aspects of Silicon Valley, and apply it to a radically different context like developing charter cities? Today, Jeffrey Mason, Head of Research at the Charter Cities Institute (CCI), is joined by Mark Lutter, Founder and Executive Director of CCI, and CEO of Braavos Cities, to discuss how the charter cities ecosystem has evolved over the past few years and what he’s learned about building successful coalitions. Mark tells us about the circumstances that motivated him to found CCI, and what it’s been like combining key features of Silicon Valley, (like entrepreneurial spirit, disruption, and innovation) with the challenging work of creating a coalition of different stakeholders — some of whom are likely to be relatively conservative. We discuss the broader ecosystem that CCI has been building, and how it can act as a force multiplier for other cities, before learning more about CCI’s most recent projects, including their endeavors in Zanzibar and how they are contributing to development there. Mark also expands on his new company, Braavos Cities, their long-term goals, and the work that they are doing in the Caribbean. We wrap up our conversation with an overview of exciting developments to pay attention to in the charter cities space, from Zanzibar to California, and how to gain momentum in politically challenging environments. Be sure to tune in for a deep dive into the evolution of charter cities and their broader ecosystem!
Key Points From This Episode:
Welcoming back Mark Lutter, executive chairman of the Charter Cities Institute (CCI).An overview of the factors and events that motivated Mark to found CCI.How CCI has adapted the positive aspects of Silicon Valley to the context of charter cities.Lessons from working with multiple stakeholders, including policymakers.Generating buy-in at the elite level of policymakers and other powerful constituencies.CCI’s goal to build a broader ecosystem that can act as a force multiplier for multiple cities.Key successes CCI has experienced over the past two years.Takeaways from their conference in Kigali during November 2023.Mark’s thoughts on recent news concerning celebrities and charter cities.An overview of the development project in Zanzibar and how CCI is contributing to it.What CCI is doing to increase the funnel of talent to Zanzibar.An outline of what they hope to achieve in Zanzibar over the next 25 years.Unpacking viable economic opportunities in Zanzibar and how they can diversify.Mark’s new company, Braavos Cities, and the work that they are doing in the Caribbean.How they get projects across the finish line in politically challenging environments.Advice on engaging with politicians, heads of government, and investors.Key insights on Braavos Cities, their goals, and what they are currently working on.What developments you should be paying attention to in the charter cities space.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Mark Lutter
Mark Lutter Charter Cities Institute
Mark Lutter on X
Mark Lutter on Medium
Braavos Cities
Jeffrey Mason on LinkedIn
a href="https://chartercitiesinstitute.org/people/jeffrey-mason/"...

Can a city hold the key to unlocking economic prosperity on a grand scale? In this episode, we sit down with Brooke Bowman and Mark Lutter to discuss charter cities and their role in addressing economic development challenges. Mark is a visionary thinker invested in progress, governance, social dynamics, and the concept of new cities. He is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Charter Cities Institute and CEO of Braavos Cities, a pioneering charter city development company. Brooke is the founder of Vibecamp, a community that aims to foster connections and personal growth. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of community-building, economic development, and cultural influence. We unpack the concept of charter cities as a way to address economic development challenges and the importance of facilitating genuine connections with people through city developments and fostering community and co-living without excessive overhead. Tuning in, you’ll discover the value of creating spaces where like-minded individuals can gather and interact and how the intersection of co-creation and play drives culture and innovation. To learn how to unlock the potential of charter cities and create vibrant, sustainable communities with a focus on culture, innovation, and positive societal impact, don’t miss this conversation!
Key Points From This Episode:

Introducing Mark, his background, and his interest in charter cities.The concept of Charter Cities and how they can alleviate poverty.Mark and Brooke’s experience of a pop-up community experiment called Zuzalu.How community gatherings help drive innovation in a society.Explore creating a sustainable community with a vibrant culture.The Neighborhood project and how it helping to build communities.What role the internet plays in facilitating the formation of real-life communities.Details about the governance structure of the Próspera development.Incorporating families and children into Vibecamp communities.Insights into how long communities will take to grow to scale.Why mimicking successful models from history is essential.The important sense of community and shared values that festivals provide.Why there is a need for economic development alongside community building.An overview of the legal mechanisms to ensure long-term success.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Brooke Bowman
Brooke Bowman on X
Mark Lutter
Mark Lutter on X
Braavos Cities
Vibecamp
The Network State Conference
Jason Benn
The Neighborhood
Cabin City
Charter Cities Institute
Charter Cities Institute on Facebook
Charter Cities Institute on...

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 LinkedIn
Itana
Itana 100
Charter Cities Institute
Charter Cities Institute on Facebook
Charter Cities Institute on X

Many countries need radical structural transformation, specifically in more developing nations, and Growth Teams and made it part of their mission to empower developing countries to create jobs and grow their economies. Today, we are in conversation with the cofounders of Growth Teams, Kartik Akileswaran and Jonathan Mazumdar. The pair are here to discuss how their business is playing its part in creating economic stability in countries around the world. Our conversation begins with a breakdown of Growth Teams, how the company works, and why Kartik and Jonathan chose to build it. After taking a look at our guests’ professional backgrounds, we dive into the definition of structural transformation, assess its importance, discover why it’s so difficult to facilitate and brainstorm ways for governments to stand true to their promises of transformation. We also learn how Growth Teams gets involved in government outreaches, how it’s doing things differently to achieve better results, the countries it is working with, and everything the business has planned moving forward.  
Key Points From This Episode:
What Growth Teams is all about and how Kartik and Jonathan came to found itKartik and Jonathan's professional backgroundsThe importance of structural growth and economic developmentWhy the aforementioned issues are neglected by governments and policymakersDefining structural transformationThe factors that make structural transformation difficult to facilitateOur guests’ advice for how governments can uphold their transformation reformsHow labor mobility fits inWhy government outreach programs have low skills retention, and how Growth Teams is fixing thisA look at Growth Team's involvement in government outreaches and how it evolves during the processThe countries that Growth Teams is working with and the company's plans for the future

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Kartik Akileswaran on LinkedIn
Jonathan Mazumdar on LinkedIn 
Growth Teams
‘Governance and Development'
The perspective of growth-enhancing governance’
‘Which World Bank Reports Are Widely Read?’
Pockets of Effectiveness
Charter Cities Institute
Charter Cities Institute on FacebookCharter Cities Institute on Xl

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 LinkedIn
Small Farm Cities
Africa Risk Dashboard
Leif Van Grinsven on LinkedIn
Starlink
Rio Tinto
The Mystery of Capital
National Planning Commission
Thomas Munthali on LinkedIn
MIT School of Architecture and Urban...

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 LinkedIn
The University of Manchester
The Global Development Institute (GDI) 
Ethiopia's Developmental State: Political Order and Distributive Crisis
Seeing like a State 
The NYU Marron Institute
Charter Cities Institute
Charter Cities Institute on Facebook
Charter Cities Institute on X