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Founder and Executive Director
Dr. Mark Lutter is the Founder and Executive Director of the Charter Cities Institute. He is also the Founder and CEO of Braavos Cities, a charter city development company. He has a PhD in economics from George Mason University where his research focused on charter cities. Prior to launching the Institute, he was Lead Economist for NeWAY Capital, an asset management firm which made early stage investments in charter cities. He has been published and quoted in several newspapers and magazines including the Financial Times, New Yorker, Chicago Tribune, City Journal, and CityAM.
In this episode, Mark Lutter speaks with Edward Pinto, Co-founder of the AEI Housing Center, about unlocking federally owned land to address the housing crisis. They discuss Homesteading 2.0, the potential of Freedom Cities, and why legalizing starter homes is key to affordability. Listen now
In our first episode of the Freedom Cities podcast, Josh Abbotoy discusses his innovative approach to building rural communities in Appalachia, focusing on economic decentralization and the integration of modern amenities. He shares his vision for the future of these areas, the journey that led
Freedom Cities offer a bold vision for revitalizing American innovation by streamlining regulations, fast-tracking housing and infrastructure, and fostering cutting-edge industries like biotech, aeronautics, and clean energy. This research paper outlines how Freedom Cities can unlock billions in investment, create hundreds of thousands of jobs,
In the Palladium article ‘Build the Presidio Freedom City’, Mark Lutter and Jeffrey Mason explore the potential of transforming San Francisco’s Presidio into a cutting-edge Freedom City. They discuss how this initiative could bypass regulatory constraints, boost technological innovation, and lower housing costs, positioning the
In this episode, Nick Allen from the Frontier Foundation delves into the concept of Freedom Cities, highlighting their potential to rejuvenate American urban landscapes and industries. He explores the historical context of city formation in the U.S., the necessity of supporting emerging industries, and the
In this episode, Mark Lutter sits down with Atossa, author of The Hidden Globe, to delve into the unconventional world of special economic zones, freeports, and the shifting boundaries of sovereignty. From the peculiarities of Geneva’s free zones to the unique openness of Svalbard, Atossa
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