Steve Hoover: Some observations from hacking cities
Download as PPTX, PDF2 likes810 views
The document discusses some observations from hacking cities. It makes three key points: 1) Local culture and initial conditions can have unexpected impacts due to the butterfly effect and law of unintended consequences. This leads to complexity in decisions. 2) New technologies like Uber and Airbnb have temporarily ignored regulations, but a long-term solution will require engagement with political and regulatory systems. 3) There are opportunities to hack physical infrastructure like parking and roads through new platforms and APIs, but basic infrastructure needs like power, water and sewage need to be addressed first before DIY solutions.
Steve Hoover: Some observations from hacking cities
- 1. Some Observations From Hacking Cities Steve Hoover
- 2. Complexity Rules “Butterfly effect” Local culture matters and are often put in place by unusual initial conditions Fracking explosion in SD Chines to construct railroads in US Law of Unintended Consequences CA environmental quality act used to support Union labor rules Picking the right “strange attractor” Should Oakland try to be the poor mans SF? Opportunities Complexity because often time both benefits & costs of decisions are highly distributed in space and time. Can we hack that in some way? Are there lessons from complexity theory and design of robust systems?
- 3. Hacking Infrastructure Temporary transportation Uber Temporary housing Airbnb Regulatory bodies being ignored Probably best in short term Wont work in the long term Political bodies and regulatory systems are not subject to Schumpeterian “Creative Destruction” like big companies Opportunities Parking Physical infrastructure (HOV lanes) What are the platforms? What could they be? Can we build API’s?
- 4. Can you DIY or make Hackable physical infrastruture? Complexity again The basics are hard and better come first What will the impact be of Low cost easily installed power and network What about water? Sewage? How will we all want to live?
- 5. Do we want cities? 300 Million in India in the big cities, 800 million outside They deserve opportunities for improving their lives. Education, water, life span, … Can we afford and do we want a future where population is highly concentrated?Do we need a new way?