2. The Fab City Full Stack

The Fab City Full Stack is a comprehensive framework that aims to transform cities into self-sufficient and locally productive ecosystems (Diez, 2012). It is based on the ‘Products In Trash Out’ (PITO) to ‘Data In Data Out’ (DIDO) concept, which envisions a world where any object or tool can be designed, produced, and recycled within in a city, while its digital information can be shared globally and adapted in any local context (Diez, 2016). The Fab City Full Stack (Fig. 2.1) builds upon this vision by providing a roadmap for cities to achieve this level of self-sufficiency and resilience through a combination of digital and physical infrastructure, community empowerment, and local production of things, food, and energy (Guallart, 2014).

The Fab City concept was first introduced at the FAB7 Fab Lab Conference in Lima and later consolidated in the Fab City Whitepaper, which outlined the principles and goals of the movement (Diez, 2016). These principles include the decentralization of production, open and collaborative innovation, and the use of digital fabrication technologies to enable local production. The Fab City Full Stack provides a concrete set of tools and strategies for cities to implement these principles in a systematic and scalable way.

The core of the Fab City Full Stack is self-sufficiency and circularity, so it seeks to reduce the reliance of cities on external resources and minimize waste and pollution. This is achieved through digital technologies such as 3D printing, CNC machines, and robotics, combined with new material supply chains, as well as physical infrastructure such as urban agriculture, renewable energy, and waste management systems. Thus, it introduces a new infrastructure to keep atoms circulating locally, while bits of information circulate globally.

The Fab City Full Stack also emphasizes the importance of community empowerment and local participation, recognizing that the movement’s success depends on the active engagement and collaboration of citizens, makers, and entrepreneurs. The Fab City Manifesto outlines the key values and principles that underpin this collaborative approach, including transparency, openness, and inclusivity (Fab City Global Initiative, 2018).

In this chapter, we will explore the key components of the Fab City Full Stack and examine the potential benefits and challenges of implementing this framework in cities worldwide. We will draw on examples from existing Fab City initiatives and highlight the role of digital technologies in enabling local production and global exchange of knowledge. Ultimately, we will argue that the Fab City Full Stack serves as an operational tool to build a promising vision for the future of cities, one that prioritizes local resilience, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment.

The Full Stack approach has been inspired by theoretical models and practical experiences alike. On the theoretical side, it draws from several disciplines and concepts, such as systems thinking, complexity theory, and the “powers of ten” concept. These theories provide a framework for understanding the complexity and interconnections of different systems, and for considering multiple scales when designing interventions in the Fab City Global Initiative context. On the practical side, the Full Stack approach has been inspired by a number of real-world initiatives and projects, such as the Fab Lab network, which provides access to digital fabrication technologies and supports local manufacturing (Gershenfeld et al., 2017). The evolution of programs, such as the Fab Academy, allowing innovations to be spurred by student’s creativity, and the implementation of Fab Labs in several countries in the world, have informed the development of the Full Stack framework. It recognizes the need to articulate the efforts of distributed networks (Armstrong and Diez, 2021) to increase impact and accelerate the transition towards a new productive model in cities and regions.

On the theoretical side, the “powers of ten” concept (Eames and Eames, 1977), popularized by the eponymous Eames film, emphasizes the importance of considering multiple scales for the analyses and designs of systems. This concept has been integrated into the Full Stack approach, emphasizing a multiscalar approach to designing solutions for complex problems. In addition, the concept of “pace layering” is a framework that recognizes that a system’s different components change at different rates and have different life spans. The framework was first introduced by Stewart Brand (1999) and has since been applied in various fields, including architecture, urban planning, and software design. In the context of the Fab City Global Initiative and the Full Stack framework, the concept of pace layering is essential because it recognizes that systems are made up of multiple layers which operate at different speeds and have different degrees of resilience. The Full Stack approach emphasizes the importance of designing solutions that address complex problems at multiple scales, and pace layering provides a framework for doing so. For example, the pace layering framework might be used to design a local manufacturing network that uses digital fabrication technologies. The physical infrastructure layer might be designed to last for several decades, while the software and data layers might be updated more frequently to keep pace with changing technologies and needs. The governance and cultural layers might evolve more slowly but are no less important for the project’s long-term sustainability and success.

Moreover, “leverage points” are key aspects of a system in which small changes can have a large impact on the sustainability and resilience of said system. Donella Meadows (2008) first introduced this concept in her book Thinking in Systems: A Primer. Leverage points can be identified in various aspects of a system, where a small change can significantly impact the sustainability and resilience of that system. For instance, in the design of a transportation network, a leverage point might be identified in the choice of vehicle fuel, where a shift to electric or hybrid vehicles can lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. By making this change and promoting the use of these vehicles, designers can create a more sustainable and resilient transportation system. Another example can be in the design of a local manufacturing network that utilizes biomaterials, where a leverage point might be identified in the choice of materials used. By selecting and promoting the use of sustainable biomaterials, designers can significantly reduce the network’s environmental impact, such as reducing the use of non-renewable resources. In the context of a city that utilizes blockchain applications, leverage points might be identified in areas such as energy use and supply chain transparency. For instance, it might be identified in the use of renewable energy to power blockchain applications, where a small change in energy source can lead to a significant reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, the use of blockchain technology can provide greater transparency in supply chains, improving the city’s overall sustainability and resilience.

Finally, “bioregionalism” is a way of understanding and organizing human societies around the natural systems and ecosystems in which they exist (Van Newkirk, 1975). Bioregionalism emphasizes the importance of localism, sustainability, and community-building, with a focus on developing self-sufficient and resilient communities integrated into their natural environment. In the context of the Full Stack’s holistic and ecosystemic approach to building sustainable and resilient cities, the concept of bioregionalism is an important tool for designing solutions deeply integrated with the natural environment and the inhabiting communities. By understanding and working within a particular region’s natural systems and ecosystems, designers and planners can create more effective and sustainable solutions in the long run (Wahl, 2020). For example, a bioregional approach to urban agriculture might involve using locally adapted crops and agroforestry systems that are suited to the local climate and soil conditions. This approach would prioritize the use of locally available resources, reducing the need for external inputs and transportation. Additionally, a bioregional approach might involve creating community-supported agriculture programs that connect local farmers with consumers, promoting social and economic resilience.

By drawing on theoretical and practical inspiration, the Fab City Full Stack approach can combine a deep understanding of the underlying principles and concepts with a practical focus on creating effective and sustainable solutions in the real world. This combination of theory and practice makes the Full Stack approach such a potentially powerful tool for addressing complex problems and designing solutions with a positive impact on the people and the planet, and to articulate and coordinate efforts with the Fab City Network members.

The Fab City Full Stack is a multiscalar framework for distributed production strategies in cities and regions (Diez et al., 2022). It is needed to articulate an ambitious project such as the Fab City Global Initiative, which aims to transform cities to self-sufficiency regarding the production of their own goods by 2054. The Full Stack’s seven layers (Fig. 2.2) provide a structured pathway for communities and (policy)makers to create local networks and initiatives grounded in shared values, principles, and goals. It helps cities and regions to take a holistic approach to sustainable development, and to work towards a circular economy by promoting distributed production and consumption. Lastly, the Full Stack can be adapted and customized to the needs of specific cities and regions.

The Fab City Full Stack’s seven layers provide a comprehensive approach to transitioning towards a new productive model that fosters sustainability, innovation, and social inclusion. These layers range from the necessary infrastructure and technologies for local production to sharing knowledge between local and global networks. The seven layers are:

In addition to enabling knowledge exchange, it is also important to develop metrics to measure progress towards the goal of producing (almost) everything locally by 2054. These metrics can help track the impact of various interventions and initiatives and provide insights into how to improve and scale up successful projects. By measuring progress towards a circular economy and local production, cities and regions can identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about the allocation of resources to achieve their sustainability goals. Ultimately, the success of the Fab City Full Stack depends on the ability of local and global networks to share knowledge and collaborate towards a common goal, as well as the ability to measure progress towards a sustainable future.

The Fab City Full Stack provides a comprehensive framework that can be used to analyze, design, and implement projects within the Fab City philosophy. By breaking down the complex web of interrelated factors that contribute to the development of distributed production strategies, the Full Stack allows for a more focused and efficient approach to addressing the challenges faced by cities and regions around the world. The Full Stack is also a tool for empowering local communities to connect, learn, collaborate, and innovate, while at the same time keeping them connected to a global community that shares the same vision for a more sustainable and equitable future.

To demonstrate the practical application of the Fab City Full Stack framework, we examine three case studies. The first case study focuses on some of the Fab City Network members, and how they have implemented the Full Stack in different ways. The second case study explores the Smart Citizen project and how it aligns with the principles of the Full Stack. Last, the third case study analyzes the Master in Design for Distributed Innovation program offered by Fab City Foundation and IAAC and how it applies the Full Stack principles to education and innovation. Through these case studies, we demonstrate how the Fab City Full Stack framework can be used to design and implement projects that align with the principles of the Fab City Global Initiative, while also addressing the specific challenges and opportunities of each context.

The Fab City Full Stack is still a conceptual framework that needs to be tested and iterated within the Fab City ecosystem, especially in the network of cities and regions where the Fab City agenda has been adopted. As an analysis tool, it enables stakeholders to understand the local context and evaluate a project’s potential impact. As a design tool, it provides a framework for the design of projects and interventions that promote circularity, sustainability, and open access. As an implementation tool, it offers a roadmap for the translation of Fab City principles into action, helping to establish local networks, develop skills and knowledge, and create prototypes at different scales.

The case studies presented in this chapter demonstrate the versatility and effectiveness of the Full Stack in guiding the development of innovative and sustainable projects. The success of the Full Stack depends on strong community engagement, partnerships with local organizations and businesses, and a willingness to experiment and iterate projects and interventions. However, as with any framework, its implementation has its challenges, including the need for more in-depth focus on the social, economic, and political dimensions of the framework, and the development of metrics to measure progress towards self-sufficient and sustainable cities and regions.

Future directions for research on the Fab City Full Stack include further exploration of the framework’s usage to analyze complex urban systems, such as the relationship between cities and their surrounding bioregions, and its usage for the creation of more inclusive and equitable urban spaces. There is a need for research on the Full Stack’s (potential) integration into existing policy frameworks at the local, national, and international levels, as well as how it can be used to inform and shape future policy decisions in areas such as manufacturing, housing, food, energy, amongst others.

Additionally, research could explore the potential of integrating digital technologies, such as blockchain, into the Fab City Full Stack to enhance collaboration and transparency, and to understand the role of governance and policymaking in supporting the Stack’s implementation at the local and global levels.

Future research can focus on evaluating and measuring the impact of Fab City projects and interventions. This includes the development of metrics that capture the social, economic, and environmental impacts of projects, and of tools to assess the effectiveness of the Full Stack as a framework for guiding project development. Fab Cities can use qualitative and quantitative methods to measure their impact and employ a multiscalar approach that considers the impact at the system’s different levels, ranging from the local to the global scale. Fab Cities can also leverage the concepts of leverage points and pace layering to identify the most effective interventions for achieving their goals. By tailoring interventions to each layer’s specific needs, Fab Cities can have a greater impact on the overall system. For instance, interventions that promote open-source design and collaborative production can target the Full Stack’s first layer, which focuses on developing infrastructure and technologies for local production.

Overall, the Fab City Full Stack could potentially be a valuable tool for urban planners, designers, and policymakers to guide the development of more sustainable and regenerative cities and regions.