I began this series of posts on evolutionary intelligences with integral intelligence (part 1 and part 2). In these two parts, four maps were shared that help us see our cities as wholes. One of those maps was the integral map with four quadrants (see part 2). Marilyn Hamilton imagines the four quadrants as four intelligences for an Integral City (her book, her website).
This is the second of four posts that look at four of the evolutionary intelligences for the city from the vantage point of each of the four quadrants. The last post, conscious capacity, explored the upper left quadrant – inner intelligence. Today, we look at the upper right and our capacity to turn our intention into right action – outer intelligence.
If inner intelligence is about seeing the collective intention, or purpose, of a city. Outer intelligence, in the upper right quadrant, is about embodying that intention. It is about making the intention come to life; making it happen. As intention changes over time, outer intelligence is about changing our behaviours to align with changes in a city’s purpose as we evolve.
In yesterday’s blog, Hamilton briefly describes the role of demographics in outer intelligence. Just as a human body acts and behaves, so too does the city system. Just as the human body has networks of feedback systems, so too does the city. Understanding the characteristics of individuals and groups in the city will help us make decisions about how to ensure, as a collective, we are providing for our biophysical needs (air, water, food, clothing and shelter) and beyond.
In a city, one of our feedback mechanisms is the myriad of data that surround us. Demographic information provides with feedback on our city system. So too do other emerging sources of data. Here’s an interesting piece of urban research in The Economist: The laws of the city – A deluge of data makes cities laboratories for those seeking to run them better. Here are some highlights:
- Larger cities are likely to be richer
- Bid cities decentralize as they grow
- Transport, telecom networks and social media spawn new data
- Urbanites consume less and produce more
- Cities foster the exchange of ideas
- A new science of the city is emerging – like physics or biology
- One day city hall may be packed with screens like a Formula 1 pit
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If you are interested in learning more about evolutionary intelligences relating to cities, you will be interested in the Integral City eLaboratory – Co-Creating the Future of the Human Hive