The Charter Cities Podcast explores how charter cities can help solve some of the largest challenges of the 21st century, from urbanization to global poverty to migration. Each episode Mark Lutter interviews experts in international development, new cities, finance, entrepreneurship, and governance, to develop a better understanding of the various aspects of charter cities
If you want to learn more visit the Charter Cities Institute at https://www.chartercitiesinstitute.org/
Waterfall City began with 2,200 hectares of farmland between Johannesburg and Pretoria and an unusual challenge: the land couldn’t simply be sold off to developers. Instead, its owners adopted a long-term leasehold model that helped preserve a unified vision for the development over decades. Today, Waterfall City is just over halfway complete, with plans for close to 25,000 homes and approximately 2.5 million square meters of gross leasable area at full buildout.
In this episode, Mark Lutter speaks with Willie Vos, CEO of Waterfall City, about the lessons learned from nearly 30 years of city building. They explore Waterfall City’s approach to long-term planning, infrastructure, financing, governance, and partnerships, and how the city has adapted as technology, consumer preferences, and South Africa’s infrastructure challenges have evolved.
Willie also shares advice for new city developers across Africa, from holding onto strategic land and finding patient capital to building flexibility into infrastructure and staying committed to a long-term vision.
And this December, listeners will have the chance to experience Waterfall City firsthand. Waterfall City will host the 2026 New Cities Summit on December 7–8, bringing the global city-building community together in a city that has spent three decades putting many of these ideas into practice.
1 Jul 2026
David Chitta and Michelle Made on Zanzalu and Life Inside a Pop-Up City
What is a pop-up city, and what does it actually look like on the ground?
In Episode 82 of the Charter Cities Podcast, Mark Lutter speaks with David Chitta and Michelle Made about Zanzalu, a three-week co-living and co-working pop-up city hosted in Fumba Town, Zanzibar.
They unpack what a pop-up city actually is and what makes the experience unique: shared breakfasts, spontaneous workshops, game nights, student programming, residencies, and the kinds of relationships that continue long after the event ends.
The conversation also explores why Zanzibar and Fumba Town are a natural setting for a pop-up city, what kinds of people tend to attend, and how Zanzalu is evolving in 2026. This year’s edition includes the Zanzalu Idea Zone in partnership with FuTopia, an art residency on Swahili futurism, and the Vanguard residency for emerging African leaders and thinkers.
If you’ve been curious about Zanzalu, pop-up cities, or new models for building community and collaboration, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what Zanzalu is, who it’s for, and why it keeps people coming back.
10 Mar 2026
Joe Studwell on How Africa Works
Africa’s development story is often framed through crisis or pessimism. Joe Studwell offers a different perspective. In this conversation, Studwell explains why Africa’s economic transformation is only beginning. Unlike the post-independence era, today’s Africa has the population density, urban concentration, and educational foundation necessary for sustained development.
Building on themes from How Asia Works, Studwell outlines a historical development pathway shared by successful economies: agricultural productivity, manufacturing expansion, and disciplined financial systems.
The discussion explores:
Why demographics and literacy change Africa’s economic prospects
Lessons from Mauritius, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Botswana
The role of cities in state capacity and revenue generation
Manufacturing as the engine of productivity growth
Energy costs, industrial policy, and governance challenges
Youth political pressure, aid reduction, and Africa’s future trajectory
Studwell argues that Africa is now “in the game,” but success will depend on policy choices, institutional capacity, and political leadership.
Who has been a guest on Charter Cities Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Joel Burke
Tom W Bell
Jarrad Hope
Alex Voss
Siaka Stevens
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
76,359
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
16 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
8 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
32
Social presence
0
YouTube
85
Engagement
90
Contact Charter Cities Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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