Local Hero Coffee Break

Scott Beyer is a journalist specializing in urban issues. He is the owner of a media company called the Market Urbanism Report, which promotes free-market urban policies. In addition to his work for Governing, Beyer writes regular columns for Forbes, the Independent Institute, and Tax Credit Advisor. He recently completed a three-year journey across the United States to study urban issues and recently wrote a book called Market Urbanism: A vision for free-market cities. Beyer is based in New York City, and his work can be found at MarketUrbanismReport.com.In this episode we discuss: A new model of city governance where people can choose to live based on government structure satisfaction Productivity and avoiding wasting time on politics  The dynamic and changing nature of cities is important People in Latin America have a higher level of tech-savvy than expected People may have different preferences, so having a variety of cities with different governing models can help people find a city that suits their needs The city is like a product or a service that needs to accommodate the needs of its inhabitants or they will leave The use of technology in remote areas Click here to learn more about Scott's work.

In this week's episode, Michael is joined by Zach, an accomplished software engineer and technology leader, who has specialized in working with early-stage companies. He is the founder of the concept of "Startup Cities," which refers to neighborhoods or cities that are built and developed by startup companies. Zach's work has been recognized with multiple awards and has been published in academic journals.Michael and Zach discuss a range of topics related to Startup Cities, ranging from the relationship between Startup Cities and traditional cities, the role of residents in the development and operation of a city, as well as the importance of civic engagement in shaping the future of a city.Interested in Zach's work and want to learn more? You can follow Zach's fascinating writing about startup cities HERE.#SmartCities #innovation #MayorAdams #blockchain #technology #web3

In this episode, we interview Denise Felipe Adams and Jonathan Salomons from the Innovation and Emerging Market team in the Office of the Mayor of New York City.The Innovation and Emerging Market team is a department within the Office of the Mayor that focuses on promoting innovation and economic growth in New York City.In this episode we talk about: The intersection of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and innovation Denise and Jonathan's roles in finding solutions Structures and strategies for promoting innovation and getting people to agree to new ideas Best ways to present new ideas to Mayor Adams Process for selecting technologies to deploy in New York City Applications of blockchain technology in local governments Importance of equity and inclusion in technology-related decision-making in New York City Post-pandemic plans for New York City Mayor Adams' approach to "getting stuff done"

 Jeffrey Mason and Carl Peterson discuss their extensive experience in development economics, law, international relations, and business. Before joining the Charter Cities Institute as a researcher, Jeffrey worked as an MA Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Carl is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer who has also worked in pre-seed and post-Series A startups.In this round-the-world interview, Jeffrey and Carl will provide insight into the history of some of the world's most successful and struggling regions, including South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the West. They will also discuss their research and experience in finding solutions to developing cities, and why the Charter City model - a model that seeks to create cities with their own governance systems and economies - may be a potential solution. Tune in to learn more about the fascinating world of development economics and international relations, and the potential of the Charter City model.In this episode we talk about: What a Charter City is How a Charter City is set up The biggest challenges when setting up a Charter City Africa’s NXT50 Cities Coalition The benefits of a Charter City and how it compares to some of the more conventional models The future of Charter Cities To learn more about the Charter Cities Institute and the work they are doing, check out their website here.

David Zipper is a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Taubman Center for State and Local Government, where he examines the interplay between urban policy and new mobility technologies. David’s perspective on urban development is rooted in his experience working within city hall as well as being a venture capitalist, policy researcher, and startup advocate. He has consulted with numerous startups and public officials about regulatory strategy.  In this episode we talk about: The role of cars in cities Benefits of a less car-centric city Chicken and egg problem for modes other than driving  Post-pandemic communicating patterns The problem with road safety in US cities Hype cycle of autonomous vehicles Microcars and three-wheel pods To learn more about David's work and writing you can find him on Twitter or by visiting his website.