Future Technologies

rebuilding conflict cities

What if I create a channel for anyone in the world to invest in real estate in Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Iraq or South Sudan? Most investors would not be deterred by possibly losing 100 USD when the potential return could be 1000%.[read more]

the future of public transit?

With all-wheel drive and electric power, the Otobuxi can travel with quiet ease on narrow, residential streets. The vehicle can accommodate up to 12 passengers and does not require a driver.[read more]

investing in sustainability

The rise of so-called “green MBA” programs is a welcome addition to the business landscape. The “jobs vs. the environment” debate is over and it’s pretty clear that business, in general, is on board with sustainability.[read more]

empty valley?

Without immigration, Silicon Valley is dying. Migration is ephemeral, particularly international migration. Here today, gone tomorrow. Entire regional economies depend on the influx of talent.[read more]

Global climate change is a crisis, but it can also be an opportunity for new and innovative ideas, new opportunities to build sustainable economies, and new opportunities to build sustainable societies.[read more]

solar-powered water pump

Can solar power help eradicate extreme poverty in the developing world? As we’ve shown a number of times, many social entrepreneurs think so, and are investing their time and money in a variety of technologies.[read more]

bicycle innovation

Bicitec is a social venture that aims to ease labor-intensive jobs and provide profits for people from rural areas, by turning old bikes and recycled machine parts into new machines and selling them for an accessible price.[read more]

 

a new urban planning model?

 

We in the modern world need not be bound to the primitive tools of the early surveyor, the primitive signal timings of the 1920s traffic engineer, or the primitive construction techniques of early carpenters.[read more]

internet mobility?

In time, the Internet should increase the distances people migrate. Expanding where you know doesn’t require travel. Trust can be cultivated online.[read more]

onshore wind farm

Onshore wind energy is the most competitive form of renewable energy in Ireland, but its stochastic nature is a barrier to unlimited development. Should this form of renewable energy development be stifled to retain the landscape?[read more]

historic preservation

Providence may be a particularly fine example, but it is hardly the only city with underutilized historic assets that could become a cornerstone of future economic development.[read more]

urban research

Institutions are forever trying to build toolkits to bolster resilience, establish sustainability, or ensure economic development. But development interventions, such as technology and business incubators are often formulaic.[read more]