Listen to the episode:

Check out the shownotes through this link.

---

Are you interested in urban resilience to create abundance?

---

Summary of the book chapter titled Urban resilience: Bridging the gap where cities and towns embrace abundance from 2024 by Boyd Cohen, part of the Abundance Capitalism book.

This is a great preparation to our next interview with Boyd Cohen in episode 246 talking about abundance capitalism regarding cities.

Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how cities can be catalysts for resilience changes. This chapter presents a shift that recognizes cities not just as resource-hungry entities but as potential catalysts for positive change.

[intro music]

---

Welcome to today’s What is The Future For Cities podcast and its Research episode; my name is Fanni, and today I will introduce a research paper by summarising it. The episode really is just a short summary of the original paper, and, in case it is interesting enough, I would encourage everyone to check out the whole paper. Stay tuned until because I will give you the 3 most important things and some questions which would be interesting to discuss.

---

[music]

Humanity has been migrating to cities for millennia, and by 2100, 70% of the world’s 10 billion people will be living in urban areas. Cities consume vast amounts of resources and produce significant pollution, accounting for 78% of global energy consumption and over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, cities also hold the potential to drive positive change. This chapter explores how urban areas can transition from resource-hungry entities to catalysts for sustainability and prosperity, redefining their role in our global future.

The concept of 15-minute cities aims to create neighbourhoods where all essential services and amenities are within a 15-minute walk or bike ride. This model promotes sustainability, healthier lifestyles, and reduced reliance on motorized transport. Cities like Paris, Melbourne, and Portland have embraced this idea. However, critics worry about potential gentrification, economic feasibility, and infrastructure challenges. Despite these concerns, the 15-minute city offers a promising vision for more inclusive and liveable urban environments.

Circular cities focus on creating systems that mimic nature’s regenerative cycles, emphasizing recycling, upcycling, and efficient resource use. This concept complements the 15-minute city by promoting local economies and reducing environmental impact. Circular cities aim to minimize waste and ensure resources are used sustainably, integrating accessibility with circular resource management to create more holistic urban environments.

Abundance Capitalism and systems thinking offer new ways to address affordable and healthy housing. This approach views housing as interconnected with social justice, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Innovative methods like modular homes and green technologies can reduce costs and environmental impact. Financial frameworks and community models, such as land trusts and cooperative housing, can protect against gentrification and ensure long-term affordability. Vancouver’s Athlete’s Village, developed for the 2010 Olympics, is a model of sustainable and affordable housing. Using density bonus zoning, the city increased housing stock while ensuring affordability. This project emphasized high environmental standards and integrated affordable housing within the urban fabric, setting a precedent for sustainable urban development. The project also included a Neighborhood Energy Utility, using waste heat from sewage to provide eco-friendly energy.

Fab Cities promote local manufacturing using digital fabrication, open-source collaboration, and circular economy principles. Initiated in 2011, this movement aims for cities to produce 70% of consumed goods locally by 2054. Cities like Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Paris are part of this initiative, developing Fab Labs and maker spaces to empower communities. Fab Cities foster resilience, sustainability, and innovation, transforming urban centres into self-sufficient hubs.

Tokyo’s housing model is characterized by flexibility and mixed land use, allowing residential, commercial, and industrial developments to coexist. Incremental development and small land parcels lead to diverse, space-efficient housing solutions. Tokyo’s efficient public transportation reduces the need for cars, supporting higher density living. Community integration and innovative housing options, like micro-apartments and communal living, cater to diverse needs, creating a dynamic urban environment.

Urban resilience is crucial as cities grow and resources become scarcer. Concepts like 15-minute cities, circular cities, and Fab Cities offer innovative solutions for sustainable urban development. Rethinking housing with systems thinking and Abundance Capitalism can provide affordable, healthy homes. Case studies from Vancouver and Tokyo showcase practical implementations of these ideas, highlighting the potential for cities to lead in sustainability and resilience. Embracing these concepts can transform urban areas into models of prosperity and environmental stewardship.

[music]

---

What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Do you have any follow up question? Let me know on Twitter at WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the transcripts and show notes are available! Additionally, I will highly appreciate if you consider subscribing to the podcast or on the website. I hope this was an interesting paper for you as well, and thanks for tuning in!

---

[music]

Finally, as the most important things, I would like to highlight 3 aspects:

1. Innovative concepts like 15-minute cities and circular cities aim to make urban living more sustainable and accessible.
2. Vancouver’s Athlete’s Village and Tokyo’s flexible housing approach showcase effective methods for creating eco-friendly and affordable urban environments.
3. The Fab City initiative promotes self-sufficiency and resilience by encouraging local manufacturing and innovation within cities.

Additionally, it would be great to talk about the following questions:

1. How can communities and policymakers work together to ensure that sustainable urban development models address the diverse needs of all residents?
2. How do you envision the future of urban living with concepts like 15-minute cities and circular cities becoming more prevalent?
3. What are the potential benefits and challenges of implementing the 15-minute city model in your own neighbourhood?

[outro music]

---