In this episode, Mark speaks with Rodney Lockwood, author of Belle Isle: Detroit’s Game Changer. Lockwood outlines his vision for turning Detroit’s Belle Isle into a privately funded “Freedom City,” inspired by models from Monaco, Singapore, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. From governance reforms and land-value taxation to Formula One racing and monorail transport, Lockwood explains how bold experimentation could revitalize Detroit and demonstrate a new model for urban growth. The pos...| The Future of Development
In 1955, Grand Bahama’s Hawksbill Creek Agreement created Freeport—the world’s first modern free trade zone. Once envisioned as a “Magic City” for 300,000 people, it now houses fewer than 50,000. In this episode, Dillon F. Knowles, President of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, joins Mark to explore Freeport’s rise, decline, and untapped potential. From casinos and cruise ships to arbitration disputes and modernization plans, they unpack how Grand Bahama could once again becom...| The Future of Development
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds vast reserves of cobalt, copper, and hydropower potential, yet remains among the world’s poorest nations. This policy brief argues that charter cities can serve as “bundled development packages,” aligning infrastructure, industry, and governance reforms to attract competitive international investment. By packaging mining concessions with modern infrastructure, industrial zones, and urban development, the DRC can convert global resource compet...| The Future of Development
In this guest blog, student and volunteer Clinton Kala shares his first-hand reflections on Africa’s urban past, bold new city innovations, and the inspiring projects shaping a sustainable, inclusive urban future. The post Something Nairobi: the 2025 New Cities Summit appeared first on The Future of Development.| The Future of Development
In Episode 76, we sit down with Joel Burke, author of Rebooting a Nation: The Incredible Rise of E-Estonia. Drawing on his experience working with the Estonian government and in U.S. tech policy, Burke explores how Estonia transformed from a struggling post-Soviet state into a trailblazer in digital governance and startup innovation. The post Charter Cities Podcast Episode 76: Joel Burke on E-Governance and the Rise of Estonia appeared first on The Future of Development.| The Future of Development
Professor Tom W. Bell joins the Freedom Cities Podcast to discuss Ulex, his open-source legal system, and how it’s being used in projects like Prospera and the Catawba Digital Economic Zone. He also breaks down his draft Freedom Cities Act, which proposes using federal enclave land to create new cities in the U.S. The post Freedom Cities Podcast – Episode 8: Tom Bell appeared first on The Future of Development.| The Future of Development
Drawing from personal experiences of healing and transformation, the author argues that the region cannot achieve true growth without addressing its spatial planning, environmental sustainability, and societal needs. The blog proposes a regenerative and people-centric Spatial Development Framework (SDF) that integrates ecological, social, and economic factors to guide the development of both new and legacy cities. The post Healing space, Healing Nations: Why SADC needs a regional SDF appeared...| The Future of Development
In this episode, Mark Lutter sits down with Jarrad Hope, founder of the Logos Network and author of the upcoming book Farewell to Westphalia, to explore the past, present, and future of governance. They dive into the decline of the nation-state, the rise of blockchain communities, and how technologies like smart contracts, decentralized protocols, and distributed identity could reimagine sovereignty in a post-national world. The post Charter Cities Podcast Episode 75: Jarrad Hope on Blockchai...| The Future of Development
Just weeks ago, over 400 visionaries, builders, investors, and policymakers gathered in Nairobi for the second edition of the New Cities Summit, and what unfolded was more than a conference:… Continue reading Another Giant Leap Forward: Reflections on the New Cities Summit The post Another Giant Leap Forward: Reflections on the New Cities Summit appeared first on The Future of Development.| The Future of Development
On the latest episode, we talk to three Wyoming State Senators to discuss how Freedom Cities, regulatory reform, and federal land management could unlock new economic opportunities in the American West.| The Future of Development
Something Nairobi: the 2025 New Cities Summit | The Future of Development
Tipolis CFO Alex Voss joins the Freedom Cities Podcast to discuss global new city development, private governance, and Freedom Cities in the U.S. and beyond.| The Future of Development
Siaka Stevens joins the Charter Cities Podcast to explore the future of Sherbro Island City after legal ratification and why governance, vision, and pragmatism are the keys to launching Africa’s next model city.| The Future of Development
Cities are expanding rapidly—how do we build them to thrive? Join top leaders, investors, and innovators at the New Cities Summit in Nairobi, June 12-13, to help shape our urban future.| The Future of Development
This blog explores Alain Bertaud's 'Order Without Design', evaluating its urban development theories and practical solutions for tackling mobility, congestion, and political challenges in cities.| The Future of Development
Join our research team on an exploration of the key ideas from notable thinkers as they relate to charter cities. In this blog, we look at Plato.| The Future of Development
Join our research team on an exploration of the key ideas from notable thinkers in political philosophy, economics, political science, urban planning, and other traditions as they relate to charter cities. In this blog, we look at the Alternative View - The Marple Maxim.| The Future of Development
Join our research team on an exploration of the key ideas from notable thinkers in political philosophy, economics, political science, urban planning, and other traditions as they relate to charter cities. In this blog, we look at Hercule Poirot and Urban Positivism.| The Future of Development
2023 saw incredible progress for the charter cities and new cities ecosystem, capped off by the phenomenal success of the inaugural Africa’s New Cities Summit.| The Future of Development
An introduction to charter cities | A charter city is a new city granted special jurisdiction to create a new governance system.| The Future of Development