This is the Inclusive Cities Catalyst newsletter about Cities, Urban Development, Data, and Global Power Relations.
Our mission is to support inclusive and sustainable urban development practices that are rooted in local expertise, embrace the many complexities associated with urban planning, and draw on and adapt relevant best practices from around the world.
Who are we?
Samra Lakew: Samra is a multi-hyphenate project manager-city planner-engineer specializing in strategy & operations, innovation, and technology. Currently, she is Project Manager at Dimagi Inc, an open-source software company specializing in digital transformation and low-resource environments. She holds a Master of City Planning (MCP) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering from McGill University and worked as risk management consulting in the US and Ethiopia.
George Kibala Bauer: George is Acting Director of the GSMA Digital Utilities programme, which supports urban resilience in low- and middle-income countries by enabling access to essential utility services through digital solutions and innovative partnerships. He’s also part of the second cohort of the On Deck Climate Tech fellowship. Prior to joining the GSMA, George gained experience in economic research, development finance, consulting, and government affairs. George holds a MSc in International Economic Policy from Sciences Po Paris, a BA in Economics from McGill University, as well as certificates on infrastructure finance, impact evaluation, and urban planning. His work and writing has appeared on Africa is a Country, Policycorner, Intelcongo, Forbes, True Africa, and The Black Humanitarian.