Why subscribe?

Cities in emerging markets are growing fast, but their systems—finance, housing, water, disaster response—often run on fragile foundations. At the same time, AI, geospatial data, and digital platforms are reshaping what’s possible in government operations. The Urban Stack explores this intersection: how cities can deploy technology and data not as buzzwords, but as tools that deliver results on the ground.

Each week you’ll find:

• Field-tested playbooks on issues like property tax systems, titling backlogs, or early warning tech—showing what works, what doesn’t, and why.

• Signals—a curated digest of datasets, pilots, and policies shaping urban resilience in Africa, India, and other rapidly urbanizing regions.

• Maps and visuals that bring complex risks—floods, growth corridors, fiscal transfers—into focus.

Why “The Urban Stack”? Just as a tech stack layers code to run applications, city systems are layered—finance, infrastructure, institutions, and now, algorithms. We unpack how these layers fit together, where they break, and how they can be rebuilt smarter.

This publication is for:

• Policy leaders who need pragmatic ideas for governing amid urbanization and climate stress.

• Tech builders and startups curious about how their tools can actually plug into city operations.

• Development practitioners and researchers looking for grounded cases and data-driven insights.

If you care about how technology and policy shape the cities where billions will live, The Urban Stack is your briefing.

Note: I share what I find intellectually stimulating. Inclusion doesn't imply endorsement—it means I believe it deserves your careful consideration.

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