Muskaan Biradar

Charter Cities Podcast Episode 64: Building Vibrant Communities with Brooke Bowman and Mark Lutter

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!

March 27, 2024

Actor Idris Elba dreams of becoming a city builder in Sierra Leone

Actor Idris Elba’s visionary leap into city-building in Sierra Leone has sparked global interest! Le Monde’s recent coverage of this story features CCI’s Executive Director, Kurtis Lockhart, who sheds light on the essential ingredients for a thriving African urban future.

March 26, 2024

Building Resilient Cities, Part 1: The Role of Charter Cities in a Changing Climate

This blog series will explore the critical role of charter cities in fostering climate-resilient development across the Global South.

March 25, 2024

The London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee’s Final Report

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people spent more time within their local community due to remote and hybrid working and national and local lockdowns. This led to a re-evaluation of urban design models, including the ’15-minute city’ concept. In October last year, experts, including Matthew McCartney, Senior Researcher at CCI, were brought together by the London Assembly’s Planning and Regeneration Committee to scrutinize this urban planning model. The committee’s final report has been released and features McCartney’s perspectives on the ’15-minute city’ concept.

March 22, 2024

Charter Cities Institute and CPS Live Ltd Join Forces to Propel Fumba Town into Fumba City

Kigali, RwandaNovember 15th, 2023 In a historic move toward sustainable urban development, CPS Live Ltd (CPS) and the Charter Cities Institute (CCI) have formalized their partnership through a Memorandum of

March 18, 2024

Let Them Eat Cake (and surf, and swim, and play golf): Is King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Saudi Arabia a Liberal Oasis?

Recent research delved into the economic challenges facing King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Saudi Arabia, revealing a nuanced perspective. While the outlook for KAEC’s economy appears pessimistic, there’s a glimmer of social optimism regarding the appeal of social liberalism, particularly among the youth. This emerging trend has garnered attention from Western media and scholars. KAEC, alongside other planned cities like NEOM, is positioned as a response to population growth and urbanization while aiming to stimulate economic growth. However, official Saudi government sources lack substantial mention of social liberalism, prompting questions about its authenticity versus being a marketing ploy. Is this dual message reflective of Saudi trying to push the social liberalism signal overseas while maintaining a conservative rhetoric at home? Is there a social cherry on the slightly stale economic cake?