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.

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:

1. Why demographics and literacy change Africa’s economic prospects
2. Lessons from Mauritius, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Botswana
3. The role of cities in state capacity and revenue generation
4. Manufacturing as the engine of productivity growth
5. Energy costs, industrial policy, and governance challenges
6. 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.

In Episode 80 of the Charter Cities Podcast, Mark Lutter speaks with James of Ârc about building a global city that attracts ambitious people from around the world. James shares Arc’s long-term vision for city building and explains why talent, culture, and community are just as important as infrastructure and capital. They discuss how Arc is building momentum through pop-up cities and partnerships, creating a network of people who are ready to move when the opportunity arises. The conversation explores how new cities can compete with existing global hubs by offering strong governance, economic opportunity, and a high quality of life. They also discuss working with host nations, financing large-scale urban development, and why demonstrating new models of governance and city building may ultimately have the biggest impact beyond the city itself.