Cities of the Future: Clay Garner of Understory Research On How to Create Cities That Are More Productive, Efficient and Sustainable
An Interview With Dina Aletras
Resilient and adaptive infrastructure — cities can design and upgrade infrastructure to withstand and adapt to climate change impacts. This includes developing robust energy grids, implementing water conservation measures, and creating multi-functional spaces that can serve different purposes under various conditions, such as during extreme heatwaves.
As urbanization continues to accelerate, the need for cities to become more productive, efficient, and sustainable has never been greater. Innovative approaches and technologies are essential to address challenges such as resource management, transportation, and quality of life. How can we design and implement strategies to build the cities of the future? As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Clay Garner.
Clay Garner is the Founder and Managing Director of Understory Research, a New York-based insights firm focused on public-private opportunity and risk. As the City of San Jose’s former Chief Innovation Officer, he drove the Mayor’s efforts to tackle the digital divide and leverage emerging tech to improve public safety in Silicon Valley. Garner’s experience spans from Google to advising global cities like NEOM in Saudi Arabia on cybersecurity challenges. A Stanford graduate and Schwarzman Scholar, he continues to shape urban innovation discourse through his research and writing on AI and public agency adaptation. Garner also serves as an Emergency Medical Technician in New York City.
Thank you for joining us! To start, can you share a bit about your early background and how it influenced who you are today?
I grew up in Connecticut where I developed a passion for languages and music. The inflection point was during high school when I started learning Mandarin and fell in love with Chinese pop. My fascination with the language and culture led me to produce and upload my own music videos in Mandarin, which eventually went very viral in Asia — giving me the opportunity to perform on major TV shows and record music on the other side of the planet.
In this D.I.Y. popstar sense, I came of age as a social media era native — borderless in relationships and learning — and deeply curious about different ways of life from my own. It influenced how I saw government through a more artistic and global lens. What could we learn from Chongqing in New York City?
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field, and can you share the story behind your decision?
After returning to the San Francisco Bay Area from China post-grad school, I started noticing things about American cities and government that I hadn’t paid much attention to before, especially where they fell short. During my commutes to and from Google, I would read the untouched pamphlets on the Caltrain about upcoming budget meetings and electrification infrastructure. Despite living in Silicon Valley, the richest and most technologically advanced area on earth, our trains felt like relics of the mid-20th century. Why, as a society, had we failed to invest in modernizing and meeting demand for a critical public service?
I felt a creeping sense of meaninglessness in my well-insulated corporate job, but I was curious about the people managing the train system. Who were they? What kind of challenges did they face? I wanted to be one of them.
Against the advice of many sane people, I quit my job at Google and dove headfirst into the public sector. I was incredibly fortunate to find my first government role in Mayor Sam Liccardo’s Office of Tech and Innovation in San Jose.
What’s the most intriguing or memorable experience you’ve had since starting your career?
As a member of an urban cybersecurity working group organized by Saudi Arabia, I had the privilege of spending time at one of the world’s most fervently discussed urban development projects, NEOM. That experience in the Arabian desert — getting to know the extreme challenges and ambition of such an epic project and meeting some of the NEOM teams leading the resilience work for the future city — was deeply memorable. It prompted many reflections on planning, imagination, and conviction.
As a successful leader in the industry, which three character traits have been key to your success? Can you provide a story or example for each?
Curiosity about people and institutions has been a driver for me. I will read the strategic plan or budget of a public agency just because I find it interesting, so work often feels like fun. It’s hard to be top percentile in a field you are not passionate about, unless you are extraordinarily disciplined. Secondly, knowing when to be patient and when to be decisive is critical, especially in government or politics. I had a great manager who wisely told me to “let the situation unfold”. I try to reduce my unforced errors. Finally, resilience. I have been humbled so many times as the mostly-youngest person in the room. When you make a mistake, how do you get back up and prevent it from happening again?
What innovative technologies and practices do you believe will be most critical in enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of future cities?
We can harness the power of natural processes to make our urban environments more sustainable and energy-efficient. This doesn’t require any particularly advanced tech. For example, cities in the Gulf are turning to traditional methods to combat extreme heat without the need for mechanical cooling. Techniques like wind towers and courtyards, which were used historically in the region, are being revived to improve natural ventilation and cooling.
I am also a big fan of strategically rewilding parts of our cities. Renewing urban waterfronts with wetlands and reefs, like along disused industrial areas, can play a critical role in reducing erosion and mitigating the impacts of sea level rise and severe storms. These natural buffers can absorb excess water, provide essential habitats for wildlife, and improve the overall liveability of urban environments.
How can urban planners and architects design cities that effectively balance economic productivity with environmental sustainability?
I don’t think these two things are necessarily at odds. There are endless positive externalities of a decently liveable urban environment. Green spaces, for instance, not only improve air quality and reduce urban heat islands but also act as communal hubs that foster social interactions and a sense of belonging. These areas increase property values, attract businesses, and draw tourists. But it takes a big vision on behalf of the political leaders and planners alike.
Cities like Singapore and Copenhagen get this balance right. New York seems to be on the right path.
In what ways can transportation systems be reimagined to improve mobility and reduce the environmental impact in future urban areas?
Look, if people didn’t have to move so far to go their homes to work or school, we could solve this problem at its root. Sprawl is the most unfortunate thing that’s happened in urban development from both a fiscal sustainability and quality of life standpoint. Thoughtful, well-managed density is the panacea.
But, if we can’t build more dense cities or new fixed transit infrastructure like subway tracks, we should instead incentivize more uptake on flexible modes like vans, microtransit, and cycling. There is something to learn from places like Kampala, where matatus, minibus run on privately-operated networks, have proven cost-effective at providing transit across both densely and sparsely populated urban areas. In America you often see gridlock of one person per car or truck, which is inefficient and wasteful.
I would love for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) to realize its hype but frankly I don’t see a slightly better helicopter making that much difference in our transit systems at scale. Perhaps it will reduce the environmental impact of very wealthy people in cities like Sao Paulo or New York.
What role do you see public policies playing in the development of smarter, greener cities, and how can governments incentivize sustainable practices?
Public policies are absolutely critical in shaping greener cities. They set the rules of the game that everyone — from individuals to large corporations — has to play by. The right policies can nudge or sometimes force us towards more sustainable practices.
One key area is zoning. By allowing mixed-use development and higher density housing near transit hubs, we can reduce car dependency and create more vibrant neighborhoods. Governments can also use financial tools to incentivize green practices. Things like tax breaks for energy-efficient buildings, subsidies for solar panel installation, or congestion pricing in city centers can shift behavior in big ways. Incentivizing and encouraging community land trusts will be an important aspect in ensuring neighborhoods decide on the amenities they need.
How can future cities ensure a high quality of life for all residents while managing rapid urban growth and resource constraints?
Managing growth is hard. It requires neighborhoods and ultimately residents to accept a state of near-constant evolution, as infrastructure is upgraded and housing stock is expanded to meet demand. Tokyo is an example of a city that has done this exceedingly well — maintaining relatively affordable housing while continuously evolving.
If communities are involved in that evolution, it can help ensure that investments reflect the needs and aspirations of the people who already live in the city. At the same time, “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) democracy can significantly encumber necessary development, trapping cities like San Francisco in a crisis of unaffordability and infrastructure decay.
The solution ultimately hinges on the quality of a city’s leadership. Strong mayors and administrators are essential. They must present a compelling vision, unite disparate communities, and effectively drive the right investments forward. Leadership that can navigate these complexities will be key to building the liveable, efficient, and sustainable cities of the future.
Thank you for all that insight. Now, let’s dive into the core of our interview: What are the “Top 5 Things Cities Need to Make Them More Productive, Efficient and Sustainable”?
1. “Big tent” vision — where do we actually want to go? City leaders need to think audaciously about their goals, while ensuring that different communities, voices, and experiences are enfranchised in the consultation process. If you don’t do this, there will be insufficient political will to sustain the reforms and investments necessary to improve quality of life and climate resilience.
2. Lowest friction solution — it’s not all about leading edge tech. Always start with the problem you’re trying to solve, and work backwards toward a solution from there.
3. State innovation capacity — public private partnerships are vital and should be rigorously developed, but it’s important to strategically bring scientific and technological know-how into government. Cities need to incentivize and retain experts in the civil service that will build and maintain infrastructure.
4. Better alternatives to cars — cities should focus on developing dense, walkable neighborhoods with robust public transit options. However, the transit alternatives have to be secure, comfortable, and convenient. Advantageous pricing alone is not enough.
5. Resilient and adaptive infrastructure — cities can design and upgrade infrastructure to withstand and adapt to climate change impacts. This includes developing robust energy grids, implementing water conservation measures, and creating multi-functional spaces that can serve different purposes under various conditions, such as during extreme heatwaves.
Do you have a favorite quote that has influenced your life? Can you share a story that illustrates its relevance to you?
“Consensus lags reality”. It encapsulates a crucial insight about change and progress, especially in urban governance. The quote reminds me to act on the data even before widespread agreement, which is often painful for leaders to stomach.
While my team was developing San Jose’s first digital privacy policy, some city staff were skeptical about the additional reporting burden, despite data showing growing public concern over personal data use. We pushed forward based on that insight, demonstrating that a clear policy would streamline processes and ultimately be less onerous. Several years later, San Jose is now a national leader in privacy and responsible technology policy.
With your considerable influence, if you could start a movement to make a significant positive impact, what would it be?
As an EMT first responder in New York City, I am passionate about uplifting emergency medical services professionals in our communities. These heroes are paid far too little for the critical aid they provide day and night, often exposing themselves to hazardous situations. I would love to support a movement dedicated to improving their wages, working conditions, and overall recognition.
How can our readers stay updated with your work online?
I will regularly share insights and case studies on understory-research.com, where readers can also subscribe to my email newsletter.
Thank you for sharing these fantastic insights. We appreciate your time and wish you continued success.
About the Interviewer: Dina Aletras boasts over 20 years of expertise in the corporate media industry. She possesses an in-depth understanding of growth, strategy, and leadership, having held significant roles at some of the UK’s largest media organizations. At Reach PLC, the UK’s largest tabloid publisher, she served in various director capacities. Additionally, she held leadership roles at The Independent Magazine Group and DMGT. Her extensive knowledge spans editorial, digital, revenue, sales, and advertising.
Upon relocating to Switzerland, Dina took on the responsibility of managing and promoting the international section of Corriere del Ticino — CdT.ch pioneering the English page “onthespot.” She also was the Co-Editor of Southern Switzerland’s first official Italian and English bilingual magazine.
