That makes it sound like a bad thing. One of things that Newsom has been able to do is recognize that there are great ideas out there and that if cities are going to innovate, they need to figure out to implement them at least on a trial basis. Waiting for things to bubble up — the very kind of thing that we complain about our leaders not leading are doing — is perhaps a sign of a dysfunctional and afraid government.

So influenced by the SF-based design community, he’s brought agile development and quick prototyping into government. Seems like a good thing to me and a counter to the wait-until the NIMBYs get pissed and organized, obstructionist way typical in the U.S.