What happens when innovation outpaces regulation? Today’s sharing economy offers the public incredible convenience and opportunity, however, the lack of regulation that makes way for that convenience can open the door to other hazards.

Austin demonstrates how the sudden loss of an unregulated would-be monopoly (or an Uber, Lyft duopoly) can create an opportunity for people to re-imagine how these services can be better designed and governed to serve the public. It's also a case study in how cities can encourage city-scale enterprises to be democratically owned and operated by locals, for locals, ensuring that the public interest comes before shareholders' interests.