Two things you’ve probably seen a number of times in the media: talking about “makers” only as it relates to new makerspaces and hobbyists; economic development that centres on big employers opening large offices or plants in town. But actually, makers come in all shapes, sizes, and kinds of products, and a multiplication of small scale manufacturing can be a much more reliable way of revitalizing downtowns, creating employment, and creating value that sticks around.

We already covered some of Amsterdam’s plans towards a doughnut economy but this concept, or otherwise the circular economy, are important parts of how cities can be transformed into Fab Cities, so it’s worth another visit. The DEAL (Doughnut Economics Action Lab) have launched An introductory guide to downscaling the doughnut which explains why and how the planet-wide concept can be scaled to a city.

In 1602 in Amsterdam, a merchant began selling shares in the Dutch East India Company. According to some, that was the beginning of Capitalism, and it’s been the dominating economic system since then. Unsurprisingly considering our current pandemic and climate predicament, a growing number of thinkers and organizations are imagining different ways forward.