Imagine Africa built their infrastructure using the same systems as the Western World. Embracing sustainability is a critical element of building a greener future for Africa and the world. Leander Moons is the Founding Owner of Studio OMT Architects, a mass timber architecture and urban design firm working in Africa and Europe. During this episode, he joins us to chat about building in Africa in collaboration with local communities. We discuss the rising industry of mass timber and its potential impact on the future of construction. We explore the opportunities and sustainability considerations for scaling timber construction in Africa, and the various projects in development by Leander's firm in Fumba Town Zanzibar; including Africa's tallest timber tower. Join us for an insightful conversation filled with hope for the impact of green choices in Africa on the world beyond its borders. Thank you for listening.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Background on Leander Moons, Founding Owner of Studio OMT Architects.
• What mass timber is and where it is predominantly used.
• Considerations for combining modern materials with traditional methods.
• Barriers to developing a more robust local timber production industry.
• Sustainable practices in Tanzania and capitalizing on the lifecycle of a tree.
• Restoring forest life in the plantations and forests that have been lost due to monoculture.
• Research into the new products of engineered and mass timber.
• Tree engineering, breeding, and designing and associated challenges.
• How Leander came to work in this industry in Africa.
• Promoting sustainability and local investment through landmark projects.
• The cost curve of timber as a raw material.
• A projected timeline of adoption for timber on a larger scale.
• How financing creates a blockage.
• Projects in planning including the CheiChei housing project.
• The importance of building sustainably in Africa and interacting meaningfully with the local communities.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Leander Moons on LinkedIn

Studio OMT Architects

Charter Cities Institute

Charter Cities Institute on Facebook

Charter Cities Institute on X

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

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...