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Tag: collaborative consumption

  • Urban Futurist Jack Uldrich to Discuss the Future of Cities in California

    Urban Futurist Jack Uldrich to Discuss the Future of Cities in California

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    Jack Uldrich, Founder of the School of Unlearning, will deliver a keynote on the future of cities in Glendora, CA.

    Press Release
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    Oct 12, 2016


    Los Angeles, CA, October 12, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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    ​​Autonomous vehicles, the sharing economy, MOOCs, Urban farming, and the Internet of Things –these are just a few of the trends that will impact the future of cities and metropolitan regions, according to Urban Futurist Jack Uldrich.

    It is becoming increasingly apparent that Futurists, like Uldrich, who focus specifically on urban trends can be exceptionally helpful resources; helping city officials and planners spot highly innovative, but not necessarily well-known advances in technology.

    More cities and economic development agencies are starting to hire futurists, and it makes good sense. City planners are often so bogged down with what is happening right now that they don’t always have the time to take a deep dive into the technological advances that will impact the future.

    Jack Uldrich , Urban Futurist

    As a futurist and trend expert, that is Uldrich’s sole purpose. The days he isn’t speaking, he spends researching and writing on game-changing technology, as well as reviewing history and philosophy. His keynotes are often peppered with quotes from Lao Tzu and stories from bygone eras while also keeping his audiences apprised of the latest breakthroughs.​

    Uldrich says, “More cities and economic development agencies are starting to hire futurists, and it makes good sense. City planners are often so bogged down with what is happening right now they don’t always have the time to take a deep dive into the technological advances that will impact the future.”

    When it comes to city planning, he says, “The recent upswing in the sharing economy alone is changing the shape of city economies everywhere,” says Uldrich. “Think: Uber and Airbnb. What will the next big trend in collaborative consumption be? Will urban farming impact local grocers? My prediction is it will. Just as MOOCs, (Massive Open On-line Courses) will affect higher education, and the cities where universities, colleges, and community colleges are situated.”

    Today, at 6 pm in Glendora, California, Jack Uldrich will deliver his latest keynote, “A Look into the Future: It’s Closer than You Think,” at Glendora High School Event Center, 1600 E. Foothill Blvd, Glendora, California 91741. The event is free and open to the public.

    Uldrich’s client list includes the Savannah Economic Development Agency, the Downtown Council of Minneapolis, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce and the Miami Downtown Development Agency, and the Urban Land Institute. He also speaks around the world on unlearning, change management, and technological advances in energy and utilities, manufacturing, education, healthcare, retail and finance. 

    Following his engagement in California, he will travel to Lansing, MI to address the Michigan Health and Hospital Association on October 18.

    Parties interested in more information on Jack, his upcoming engagements and writing may view his website here.

    Source: Jack Uldrich & The School of Unlearning

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  • Urban Farming 2.0: California Startup Lets Property Owners Cash in on Garden Space

    Urban Farming 2.0: California Startup Lets Property Owners Cash in on Garden Space

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    Press Release
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    Apr 12, 2016


    San Diego, California, April 12, 2016 (Newswire.com)
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    ​​In April, SoilSurfer.com was launched with the intent to unite urban farmers with urban landowners, anywhere. The mission: Help support positive environmental change and economic growth in cities, by making it easier for urban farmers and property owners to connect.

    The project is the brainchild of Reginald Blackledge, a California-based designer who took on Soil Surfer as a creative pursuit in his free time. Coming from a family of farmers and ranchers, Blackledge wants to bring the experience of farming to those without land.

    Using a peer-to-peer “community” marketplace, Soil Surfer aims to ignite interest in urban farming to a global audience, and lets urban property owners get paid seamlessly through its platform. The new service has the potential to lower the barrier of entry for both urban farmers, and property owners, by providing a simple platform that anyone with an Internet connection can use. 

    While urban farming and collaborative consumption are becoming more popular, the barriers to entry may be preventing wider participation. For example, there is no standardized process for garden-space sharing transactions. And, while conventional methods might work in some neighborhoods, the process is not always clear, and may be confusing for people just starting out. 

    Soil Surfer has a member rating system, meaning that landowners can review feedback about a particular urban farmer, and, likewise, urban farmers can read reviews about other farmers experiences with a landowner. This two-way review feature is intended to encourage transparency, and reward good behavior.

    With any arrangement between two or more parties, there is legal and liability issues to consider; however, Blackledge says, “Today, people can rent anything from surfboards to private jets, so I don’t think renting a spot in someone’s yard is too much of a far fetched idea.” Regardless, the website encourages members to play it safe and check with state, local and community policy about urban farming and land use, as well as their insurance coverage.

    “There’s likely millions of acres of unproductive urban and peri-urban land that could be used for local food production, and reducing our carbon footprint is only one of the many benefits,” says Blackledge. He thinks that Soil Surfer has the potential to bring urban farming into the mainstream, and will be a win for urban farmers, landowners, communities, and the environment.

    Anyone interested in participating, as a property owner or urban farmer, can visit the Soil Surfer’s website at https://www.SoilSurfer.com.

    Source: Soil Surfer/IntraActif

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