> What should a city optimize for?

The health and longevity of its citizens.

> How should we measure the effectiveness of a city (what are its KPIs)?

Minimizing disease, mortality, poverty, and crime.

> What values should (or should not) be embedded in a city's culture?

Active lifestyle, minimalism… courtesy, respect, appreciation of fellow citizens. Volunteerism.

> How can cities help more of their residents be happy and reach their potential?

People get jealous of each other very easily. Cultures that don’t promote the flaunting of wealth tend to be happier. The two most conspicuous examples of excessive consumption are large homes and expensive cars. As advanced primates we’re most comfortable in moderately forested land with ample water. Above all this, people require a safe place to live so effective means of crime deterrent are critical. Once the base of Maslow’s hierarchy is met, people will actualize on their own.

> How can we encourage a diverse range of people to live and work in the city?

If you build it they will come. It’s really that simple. There’s no magic formula, a diverse range of people is required to run a city.

> How should citizens guide and participate in government?

Citizens should enumerate the authorities of their leadership rather than allowing leadership all authorities not specifically excluded.

> How can we make sure a city is constantly evolving and always open to change?

It’s psychologically easier to move away from a rental than an owned unit. I know there is dogma about the financial security around home ownership, but leasing a residential unit is really not all that different from renting the money to buy a unit. So I think severely restricting or eliminating traditional home “ownership” might keep the population ready for quick changes.

> How can we make and keep housing affordable? This is critical to us; the cost of housing affects everything else in a city.

By restricting/eliminating outright ownership and zoning out excessively large units or charging progressively more per square foot for larger constructions (on a per occupant basis).

> How can we lay out the public and private spaces (and roads) to make a great place to live? Can we figure out better zoning laws?

Priority should be given first to the natural spaces, followed by living spaces, then the sidewalks, and bikeways/waterways. The automobile roads should be relegated to the outskirts of the city in an exterior loop with limited access to the interior for critical functions. Zoning out excessively large homes is critical.

> What is the right role for vehicles in a city? Should we have human-driven cars at all?

Probably shouldn’t have many human-driven cars in the city aside from possibly emergency responders. The vehicles should be utilized to serve human needs rather than display status of the owners.

> How can we have affordable high-speed transit to and from other cities?

The hyperloop sounds most promising right now. Musk is a modern day Midas.

> How can we make rules and regulations that are comprehensive while also being easily understandable? Can we fit all rules for the city in 100 pages of text?

Arbitration agreements and waivers for all residents. Not sure about the rules. I suspect that most cities are already subject to enough state/federal rules to require little in the way of local ordinances. We might look for the shortest examples on municode.com for inspiration.

> What effects will the new city have on the surrounding community?

People who are able to relocate are more likely to be young and depending on the success of the city it may attract the most talented. Prosperous cities have a way of draining the brains of surrounding communities. On positive note, former residents tend to benefit the previous communities when they return/visit.