Resilient Smart Cities: Biomimicry and Regeneration with James Ehrlich from Stanford University
In this visionary episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast, recorded at the Smart Cities Summit North America, Fanni Melles, PhD, sits down with James Ehrlich, Director of Compassionate Sustainability at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion Altruism Research and Education. James, also a Senior Fellow at NASA Ames Research Center, faculty at Singularity University, and founder of Regen Villages, shares his innovative approach to urban resilience. He defines smart cities as self-reliant systems capable of sustaining food, water, energy, and waste management during disruptions. Drawing from biomimicry and mycelial networks, James discusses his Village OS software, which uses Edge AI to democratize regenerative infrastructure planning. From addressing climate migration to fostering compassionate sustainability, tune in for a forward-thinking exploration of reimagining habitation for a resilient future!
Key Takeaways
0:00 - Introduction: Mycelial Networks and Edge AI
1:40 - Welcome to the Smart Cities Council Podcast!
2:00 - Introducing James Ehrlich and Stanford University
3:20 - What Does "Smart City" Mean to James? Resilience and Self-Reliance
4:40 - Village OS: Machine Learning for Regenerative Communities
6:00 - Biomimicry: Modeling Software on Nature’s Networks
8:00 - Compassionate Sustainability: Beyond Tech to Human Well-Being
9:30 - Challenges: Brittle Supply Chains and Urban Density
11:00 - Opportunities: Peri-Urban and Rural Regeneration
13:00 - Addressing Climate Migration and Refugee Crises
15:00 - The Role of AI in Self-Healing Systems
17:00 - James’s Journey: From Film to Regenerative Design
19:00 - Spotlight: Regen Villages and Village OS
21:00 - Takeaways from the Summit: Diverse Stakeholder Collaboration
22:30 - Closing Thoughts: Optimism and Hard Work for Generations
Learn More About James Ehrlich and Stanford University:
James Ehrlich on LinkedIn
Stanford University website
ReGen Villages website
ReGen Villages on LinkedIn
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Closing Comments: Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Smart Cities Council Podcast! If you enjoyed the insights into the future of smart cities, there’s plenty more where that
