Cities of the Future: Jackson Allen of Inkican On How to Create Cities That Are More Productive, Efficient and Sustainable
An Interview With Dina Aletras
Sticking with best practices would be a great start — look at what other cities are doing correctly. What worked, what didn’t, why did it succeed or fail? What could your city learn from that?
As urbanization continues to accelerate, the need for cities to become more productive, efficient, and sustainable has never been greater. Innovative approaches and technologies are essential to address challenges such as resource management, transportation, and quality of life. How can we design and implement strategies to build the cities of the future? As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Jackson Allen.
Jackson Allen is a science fiction author who redefined his life in 2016 with a commitment to effective altruism, professional writing, and using his success to serve others. His work reflects a passion for Golden Age sci-fi, creating imaginative universes that inspire hope in a challenging world. Living openly with severe anxiety and PTSD, Jackson uses writing as a form of personal healing and connection.
Thank you for joining us! To start, can you share a bit about your early background and how it influenced who you are today?
Thank you for having me! My early background is marked by significant challenges, including a difficult upbringing with emotionally immature parents, which greatly influenced my development and personal struggles. These experiences led me to develop a severe anxiety disorder and later, PTSD. However, they also shaped my commitment to creating stories that offer hope and kindness in a world that often feels cruel and chaotic. My journey toward effective altruism and professional writing stems from a desire to heal not only myself but also to support others through my Golden Age sci-fi narratives, serving as a form of personal Kintsugi.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field, and can you share the story behind your decision?
My journey into writing sci-fi started with a mix of love and frustration. Back in the late 90s, I was a high school student obsessed with all things Star Wars. Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Series was like a dream come true for me. His books perfectly captured the Star Wars magic and showed me what great storytelling looked like.
But then Star Wars Episode One came out, and, well, it was a letdown. The movie, especially with Jar Jar Binks, was nothing like the Thrawn books. It made me realize that fans deserved better stories. Around this time, I read Stephen King’s “On Writing,” where he says most writers have a moment when they think, “I can do better than this.” For me, that was it.
So, I decided to start writing my own stories. I figured if people could enjoy those movies, they’d love the stories I had to tell. In 2016, I made three promises to myself: to live a life that helps others, to become a professional writer, and to use my success to make the world a better place.
These promises have guided me ever since. They helped me heal and get creative, allowing me to write and share my own Golden Age sci-fi stories. So, thanks to Zahn’s awesome books and the disappointing prequels, I found my path in writing. It was a mix of frustration and determination that has shaped my career and my passion for storytelling.
What’s the most intriguing or memorable experience you’ve had since starting your career?
Every once in a while, I’ll Toot something to George Takei on Mastodon (link) that makes him laugh. Totally honored when that happens — he’s such a kind, evolved human being. Main experience that stands out is talking with one of my ‘hero’ authors — Allen Steele.
Allen Steele, a best-selling author known for his hard sci-fi, has been incredibly helpful to me. He’s won numerous awards for his novels and short stories and is basically a walking encyclopedia when it comes to Golden Age Sci-Fi. When I sent him my first blog post and asked a few questions, our conversation quickly expanded into areas I hadn’t even considered.
Allen shared some fascinating insights about Planet Stories’ contribution to Golden Age Sci-Fi, which was something I knew little about. His deep knowledge and passion for the history of science fiction were evident in our exchange, and it was clear that this was powerful knowledge worth preserving for future generations.
This experience was memorable not just because of the information I gained, but also because it showed me the importance of connecting with and learning from others in the field. Allen Steele’s willingness to share his expertise has been invaluable, and it’s moments like these that make my journey as a writer so rewarding.
As a successful leader in the industry, which three character traits have been key to your success? Can you provide a story or example for each?
1. Bouncing Back
One thing that’s really helped me succeed as a writer is being able to bounce back when things go wrong. Writing can be a roller coaster with lots of ups and downs. I remember once getting really harsh feedback on a story I loved. It felt awful, and I started doubting myself. But instead of giving up, I took a deep breath, looked at the feedback again, and used it to make my story better. It taught me that setbacks aren’t the end of the world — they’re just chances to get better.
2. Always Being Curious
Being curious has been super important for my writing. I love learning new things, especially about sci-fi. One time, I had a long chat with my mentor, Allen Steele, about something called Planet Stories and its role in the Golden Age of Sci-Fi. It was really eye-opening and helped me understand the genre better. Curiosity keeps me excited and helps me come up with fresh ideas.
3. Understanding Others
Empathy, or understanding how others feel, is crucial in writing and in life. It makes your stories richer and helps you connect with people. I remember helping a friend who was really stuck with their writing and feeling down. I shared some of my own experiences and gave them some advice, which really helped them out. This reminded me how important it is to support each other and build a strong community.
So, in short, bouncing back, staying curious, and understanding others have been key to my success in writing. They’ve helped me get through tough times, keep learning, and make great connections with other writers. Plus, they make the whole writing journey a lot more fun and rewarding!
What innovative technologies and practices do you believe will be most critical in enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of future cities?
Excellent question! We didn’t get here with one problem, so one problem won’t solve our sustainability and efficiency issues in future cities. Some ideas stand out more than others:
1. High-Speed Trains
High-speed trains are super important for the cities of the future. They’re fast, eco-friendly, and help cut down on pollution. For example, California’s High-Speed Rail project is working on connecting cities quickly and reducing the number of cars on the road. This means less traffic, cleaner air, and a boost to the local economy. Plus, who doesn’t love a cool train ride?
2. DIY Electric Car Charging Stations
Building your own electric car charging station is a neat idea that’s catching on. Instead of buying one, you can make your own using guides like those on the OpenEVSE project. This is a great way to get the community involved in green tech. It helps cut down on pollution and saves money. Plus, working together on projects like this brings people closer and makes everyone feel like they’re part of something big.
3. Nuclear Fusion Energy
Nuclear fusion sounds like sci-fi, but it’s real and super important for clean energy. It’s how the sun makes energy, and scientists are trying to recreate that process here on Earth. Recently, there have been big breakthroughs in places like the Joint European Torus (JET) and the ITER project. If we get it right, nuclear fusion could give us endless clean energy, which would be awesome for the environment and future cities.
4. Smart Grids
Smart grids are like the brains of our power supply. They use advanced tech to manage and distribute energy more efficiently, especially from renewable sources like wind and solar power. This means less wasted energy and a more reliable supply. Smart grids are essential for supporting more electric cars and green energy, making cities more sustainable.
5. Community Green Tech Projects
Community projects, like building neighborhood EV charging stations, are really cool. They let people take control of their energy needs, reduce reliance on big corporations, and spark local innovation. These projects fit perfectly with the solarpunk idea of a future where technology and nature work together smoothly.
Overcoming Challenges
Getting these cool technologies up and running isn’t always easy. People need to get used to new ideas, and companies need to think more about the planet than profits. Cory Doctorow, a smart thinker, says that technology isn’t the problem — greed is. For a solarpunk future, we need leaders who care about the environment and the well-being of everyone.
Final Thoughts
High-speed trains, DIY electric car chargers, nuclear fusion, smart grids, and community green tech projects are key to making our cities greener and smarter. But, we also need to change how we think and act, prioritizing sustainability over quick profits and working together as a community. By embracing these technologies and ideas, we can create a future where cities are efficient, clean, and in harmony with nature.
How can urban planners and architects design cities that effectively balance economic productivity with environmental sustainability?
It won’t be easy — prioritizing sustainability over quick profits and working together as a community implies that we’re considering *all* factors to arrive at the correct balance. I think the answer is pretty simple and it goes back to our achievements in AI. One thing we could be doing with artificial intelligence is factoring economic productivity with environmental sustainability, cultural needs, human concerns together and learning how to come up with the correct weighting based on community feedback. Along the way, you’d focus in specific areas:
1. Eco-Friendly Buildings
Urban planners and architects can start by designing buildings that save energy and are good for the environment. This means using materials that are sustainable, installing green roofs, and putting in solar panels. Buildings can also recycle water and use natural light to save energy. Green buildings help save on energy bills and reduce pollution.
2. Public Transportation and Walkability
Making it easy for people to walk, bike, or use public transportation is super important. This means having wide sidewalks, safe bike lanes, and good public transit like buses and trains. High-speed rail projects, like the one in California, are a great example. When it’s easy to get around without a car, cities have less traffic, less pollution, and a better quality of life.
3. Smart City Technology
Using smart city technology helps manage resources better. This includes smart grids for energy, sensors to check air and water quality, and apps to help people navigate public transport. Smart tech reduces waste, saves energy, and makes city life easier. For instance, smart traffic lights can reduce traffic jams and pollution by improving traffic flow.
4. Mixed-Use Developments
Designing areas where people can live, work, and hang out all in one place is key. Mixed-use developments combine homes, shops, and recreational spaces. This means less need for long commutes, less traffic, and more vibrant communities. Plus, it makes cities more adaptable to change.
5. Green Spaces and Urban Farming
Including parks, gardens, and urban farms in city plans is crucial. Green spaces give people places to relax and play, improve air quality, and help manage stormwater. Urban farms provide fresh, local food, cutting down on the need for long-distance transport and supporting local economies. These green areas also make cities more beautiful and enjoyable.
6. Community Involvement and Education
Getting the community involved in planning ensures that cities meet everyone’s needs. This means holding public meetings, workshops, and using social media to gather input and ideas. Teaching people about the benefits of sustainable living and how they can help is also important. When people feel involved and informed, they’re more likely to support and participate in sustainability efforts.
7. Flexible and Resilient Infrastructure
Cities need infrastructure that can adapt to changes like climate change and population growth. This means designing roads, bridges, and buildings that can handle extreme weather and other challenges. Flexible zoning laws can also help, allowing cities to change how land is used as needed. Resilient infrastructure ensures that cities can keep functioning and thriving despite various challenges.
I’m not saying you’d come up with a perfect algorithm, but you’d have a great starting point! By combining eco-friendly buildings, good public transportation, smart technology, mixed-use developments, green spaces, community involvement, and resilient infrastructure, urban planners and architects can create cities that are both productive and sustainable. These strategies not only help protect the planet but also make city life better for everyone. The goal is to design cities where people can live comfortably and businesses can succeed without harming the environment.
In what ways can transportation systems be reimagined to improve mobility and reduce the environmental impact in future urban areas?
Excellent question! America missed a huge opportunity in the early 20th century to build public transit-friendly city grids in favor of the automobile. Call it a culture issue, call it a financial issue — whatever — the point is, we’re still paying for it in 2024 and we’ll continue to pay for it until we wise up.
When it comes to transportation systems, the three buzzwords are flexibility, affordability, and sustainability. Reimagining transportation systems should use evidence-based, data-driven design to generate and regenerate itself as the economy grows, changes, and contracts. One thing that sticks out to me as the simplest, most obvious answer: Electric busses and subsidized/free rides to get people off the road as individual cars. In parallel — like Buffalo, NY is doing: streetscape improvements, parks and walkability (Hello, Buffalo Blueway!)
What role do you see public policies playing in the development of smarter, greener cities, and how can governments incentivize sustainable practices?
Let’s noodle on that for a minute. Public policy has often been the road to hell paved with good intentions. When applied correctly, public policies can be the guiding rules and rewards that help create smarter, greener cities. Some policies might include:
1. Boost Green Transportation — Governments can encourage eco-friendly transportation by:
- Making Public Transit More Attractive: Think electric buses and subsidized or even free rides! These options make it easier and cheaper for people to leave their cars at home, which means less traffic and pollution.
- Expanding Transit Options: Cities like Seattle, LA, and Phoenix are all expanding their transit systems. Policies can support these efforts by providing funding and cutting through red tape to get projects moving faster.
2. Improve City Spaces — Policies can help make cities more enjoyable and sustainable by:
- Upgrading Infrastructure: Take the “Rethinking I-94” project, for example. It’s about updating roads and public spaces to better serve communities, especially those affected by past developments. This means creating places that are more connected, vibrant, and environmentally friendly.
- Encouraging Walkability and Green Spaces: Improving sidewalks, parks, and public spaces can make cities more fun and healthy places to live. Policies can support these changes through zoning rules and financial incentives for developers.
3. Involve the Community
- Getting Residents Involved: Policies can ensure that city planners listen to what residents want and need. This way, the changes actually benefit the people who live there.
- Educating the Public: Governments can also help by spreading the word about sustainable practices and the benefits of going green.
4. Encourage Sustainable Choices
- Offering Financial Perks: Tax breaks or subsidies for using renewable energy, buying energy-efficient appliances, or building green homes can nudge people toward making eco-friendly choices.
- Setting Rules and Rewards: Creating regulations that promote low-emission vehicles, green buildings, and waste reduction, along with rewards for compliance, can motivate people and businesses to be more environmentally friendly.
Hope that’s enough detail for now. 😊 In a nutshell, public policies are crucial for building greener cities. By providing support, setting clear rules, and involving the community, governments can encourage sustainable practices and make cities better places to live.
How can future cities ensure a high quality of life for all residents while managing rapid urban growth and resource constraints?
Let’s dive into this! Ensuring a high quality of life in rapidly growing cities while managing limited resources requires a smart mix of policies and planning as previously noted. Top ideas would be promoting Green Transportation, enhancing city spaces, engaging with the community in a meaningful, empathetic way, and encouraging sustainable practices without being the green ‘Hall Monitor.’ Nobody likes a finger-wagger, we need to make sure our quality of life efforts are seen as ‘let’s help everybody out’ and not ‘let’s help everybody move out.’
Thank you for all that insight. Now, let’s dive into the core of our interview: What are the “Top 5 Things Cities Need to Make Them More Productive, Efficient and Sustainable”? Please provide a story or example for each.
1. Sticking with best practices would be a great start — look at what other cities are doing correctly. What worked, what didn’t, why did it succeed or fail? What could your city learn from that?
2. Care about the mission and the result — we can all say things like ‘integrated public transit’ and ‘renewable energy’ until the cows come home. So what? We all know what the right thing to do is, the question is: do we have enough skin in the game to make it happen? Give the job to someone who actually cares about the place and plans to live there after it’s all done. Foster that person or tribe with community engagement and inclusive policies. You can’t subcontract municipal culture — give it to someone who ‘lives and breathes’ that culture already.
3. Develop pilot projects that showcase innovative solutions in areas like renewable energy, green infrastructure, and smart city technologies. Use successful pilot projects as a blueprint for broader implementation across the city.
4. Inclusive Planning Processes: Involve residents in urban planning and decision-making processes to ensure that policies reflect community needs and values. Local Partnerships: Partner with schools, businesses, and non-profits to promote sustainable practices and create a sense of shared responsibility.
5. Cultural Initiatives: Promote arts, events, and public spaces that reflect the city’s commitment to sustainability and community well-being. Celebrate Successes: Publicly celebrate milestones and achievements in sustainability and efficiency, fostering a sense of pride and collective achievement among residents.
Do you have a favorite quote that has influenced your life? Can you share a story that illustrates its relevance to you?
“No one cares what you do, and that’s a good thing.” — as a person with special needs and anxiety, it helps me to stay grounded by remembering that anything I do is because it’s important to me. I’m not here to win gold stars, I’m not in a race with everyone else. I used to be so self-conscious and it was incredibly damaging. It’s still something I work on every day but this quote has helped a lot.
With your considerable influence, if you could start a movement to make a significant positive impact, what would it be?
That’s a good question but I’d have to say that any ‘movement’ I start is simply based on being the best Jackson Allen I can be and whatever positive impact that makes — awesome. My heroes are people like Grace Hopper, Bob Ross, Mr. Rogers, and Jim Henson. Teach by example, live by your values, not by your voice.
How can our readers stay updated with your work online?
That’s a kind question to ask — I’m blogging over at https://www.Inkican.com and you can find me on Mastodon (the anti-Twitter!): https://mastodon.social/@inkican
Thank you for sharing these fantastic insights. We appreciate your time and wish you continued success.
Thank you so much for the conversation — I enjoyed it!
About the Interviewer: Dina Aletras boasts over 20 years of expertise in the corporate media industry. She possesses an in-depth understanding of growth, strategy, and leadership, having held significant roles at some of the UK’s largest media organizations. At Reach PLC, the UK’s largest tabloid publisher, she served in various director capacities. Additionally, she held leadership roles at The Independent Magazine Group and DMGT. Her extensive knowledge spans editorial, digital, revenue, sales, and advertising.
Upon relocating to Switzerland, Dina took on the responsibility of managing and promoting the international section of Corriere del Ticino — CdT.ch pioneering the English page “onthespot.” She also was the Co-Editor of Southern Switzerland’s first official Italian and English bilingual magazine.
Cities of the Future: Jackson Allen of Inkican On How to Create Cities That Are More Productive… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.