The Green Urbanist

A conversation with Theo Michell (COO) and Joe Jack Williams (Head of sustainability) at Bywater Properties. We talk about: A timber-first approach to development A case study of 'Paradise', a six-storey timber-led office building in LondonHow timber is becoming more mainstream in UK constructionAdvice for architects and developers getting started with timberBywater Properties: https://bywaterproperties.com/Case Study: Paradise: https://paradise11.co.uk/Linkedin profiles:Joe Jack WilliamsTheo MichellBywater Properties- - - Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Consulting and training: https://greenurbanist.org/ Podcast website: https://greenurbanistpod.com/ The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

This episode is a conversation with Catherine Barratt, Managing Director of Furnitubes. Furnitubes create modular street furniture that helps to bring communities together. In this episode we discuss how they are innovating with sustainable materials and manufacturing processes to create lower impact furniture at the same price. Furnitubes Website: https://www.furnitubes.com/The Green Room podcast: https://www.furnitubes.com/podcasts/- - - Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Consulting and training: https://greenurbanist.org/ Podcast website: https://greenurbanistpod.com/ The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

This episode is a conversation about the 'Wilding Campuses' programme, led by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK). We talk about the practicalities of applying a 'wilding' approach on highly altered and designed landscapes on educational campuses. My guests are:Jo Wilkinson, Senior Project Manager, SOS-UKCeline Clarke-Miller, Project Manager, SOS-UKLiz Morley, Wilding Campuses Project Manager, Nottingham CollegeBen Wright, Biodiversity Officer, Archway Learning TrustLinks More about Wilding CampusesWebsite: Archway Learning TrustConnect with Ben on LinkedinThis is part of the urban rewilding podcast series. Listen to all the episodes in the series here: https://greenurbanistpod.com/rewilding- - - Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Consulting and training: https://greenurbanist.org/ Podcast website: https://greenurbanistpod.com/ The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

Mike Berners-Lee is a consultant and author of the new book A Climate of Truth. In this episode we discuss the polycrisis and how raising standards of honesty is essential to respond to the challenges we are facing.Learn more about and purchase the book: A Climate of Truth- - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

This is a conversation with Elliot Newton and Ben Stockwell of Citizen Zoo, a Community Interest Company that are rewilding urban areas with communities.We talk about:What rewilding in the city meansGrazing animals in urban green spacesReintroducing water voles and beavers to LondonBringing white storks back to LondonThe challenges and opportunities of rewilding citiesLinksCitizen Zoo website: https://www.citizenzoo.org/ This is part of the urban rewilding podcast series. Listen to all the episodes in the series here: https://greenurbanistpod.com/rewilding- - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

This is a conversation with Scott McAulay, Regenerative Design and Infrastructures Specialist at pioneering architecture studio Architype. We talk about:What 'regenerative design' means in practice for an architecture studioWorking with clients in a regenerative processCircular economy principles as a gateway into regenerative designWhy regenerative design is also about social justice and local economiesThe role of natural materialsCo-creating your own jobLinks:Connect with Scott on LinkedinWebsite: ArchitypeInstagram: Anthropocene Architecture SchoolInstagram: Anthropocene Architecture School LibraryWebsite: Architecture FringeBook recommendations:Ecominimalism: The Antidote to Eco-bling by Howard LiddellFutuRestorative: Working Towards a New Sustainability by Martin BrownThe Nutmeg's Curse: Parables from a Planet in Crisis by Amitav GhoshPrevious episodes with Scott:#31: Scott McAulay - Anthropocene Architecture School#100: Create Sustainable Change through your Work - Advice from 3 ExpertsCover image: Sketch by Architype of the Royal Agricultural University Innovation Campus - - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

This episode is a conversation with Salem Qunsol, Principal Sustainability Consultant at Verte, about the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. Salem was one of the contributors to the standard. He joined me to discuss:The best practice approach to Net Zero Carbon building designThe role of natural materials like timber in net zeroThe role and risks of offsetting emissionsCombining circular economy and net zero carbon approachesConcrete and cement in sustainable buildingsAccess the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard pilot versionConnect with Salem in LinkedinVerte's website- - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh. Register for the Webinar (25 April): Nature-led Masterplanning

My guest is Virginia Cinquemani, a coach, trainer and Director at Green Gorilla. In this episode we discuss strategies from her book The Good Communicator on how to communicate sustainability with clients, communities and colleagues. This episode is for anyone who wants practical advice on how to promote sustainability by understanding why people are resistant to change and the importance of co-creation in any project. Connect with Virginia on LinkedinGreen Gorilla website- - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh. Register for the Webinar (25 April): Nature-based Masterplanning

My guests today are Rosanna Vitiello, Chief at the Place Bureau, and Domenica Landin, Associate Design Researcher at Place Bureau. Place Bureau is a research, strategy and design studio that defines new frontiers for places around the world.We talk about:How to meaningfully engage communities with the future of their places and climate adaptation.The Collaborative Place Futures Toolkit, a practical tool for engaging communities in the future.How coastal communities can create positive plans for the future in response to rising sea levels.Their book Natural Futures, which explores the future of human-nature interactions in an era of change.Learn more about Place Bureau: https://www.theplacebureau.com/- - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh. Register for the Webinar (25 April): Nature-based Masterplanning

Register for the webinar on 25 April: Nature-led Masterplanning with EcoResponsive EnvironmentsThis podcast is a re-upload of my conversation with Prachi Rampuria and Soham De of EcoResponsive Environments from October 2024. We talk about their approach to designing sustainable and resilient new places based on natural systems.I'll be hosting a free webinar with Prachi and Soham on 25 April on this topic.- - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh. Register for the Webinar (25 April): Nature-based Masterplanning

My guest today is Chris Fitch, author of the upcoming book Wild Cities: Discovering New Ways of Living in the Modern Urban Jungle. In this episode we discuss case studies of cities around the world that embrace wilder nature.We go beyond the usual case studies like Singapore to explore lesser known examples like:Tallinn, Estonia - the city with pollinator corridors Tokyo, Japan - mini forests in a hyper-dense cityFlagstaff, USA - the Dark Skies cityWellington, New Zealand - a hotspot for native birds+ many othersPre-order the book Wild Cities here - out on 10 April 2025More about Chris Fitch here.*Correction: At 44:10, Chris says that Sydney harbour has more marine species than the British Isles or Mediterranean. He actually meant fish species rather than all marine life. It's also more accurate to say that the biodiversity in Sydney harbour is equivalent to the Mediterranean. - - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh. Register for the Webinar (25 April): Nature-based Masterplanning

This episode is a conversation with Stephen Mason, Community Parks Officer at Cheltenham Borough Council. We discuss:Urban rewilding projects in Cheltenham - including meadows and orchardsReconnecting urban areas with their surrounding landscapeHow the 'rewilding' concept engages communities in biodiversity projectsMeasuring the success of rewilding projectsDon't miss the other episodes in this WILD series: https://greenurbanistpod.com/rewildingConnect with Stephen on LinkedinMore about projects in Cheltenham: https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/info/88/urban_greening/1495/improving_our_urban_green_spaces- - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Free training: Urban Sustainability in 5 Case Studies Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

Get free tool: https://free.greenurbanist.org/2050climatetoolIn this episode I share a free tool you can use to understand what the local climate of 520 major world cities will be like in the year 2050. - - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Free training: Urban Sustainability in 5 Case Studies Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

Learn more about the course: https://greenurbanist.teachable.com/p/course-kickstart - - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Free training: Urban Sustainability in 5 Case Studies Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

My guests on this episode are Ian Russell and Jamie Kukadia from the watercourses team at London Borough of Enfield. We discuss:'Rewilding Enfield' - rewilding urban streets, parks and rivers.Nature-based flood resilience and sustainable drainage versus traditional engineering.Reintroducing beavers to London.The benefits of conservation livestock grazing in parks and green belt.Advice for others who want to take an urban rewilding approach.Learn more about the Enfield beaversLearn more about the conservation grazing projectThis is part 3 of the Urban Rewilding series.Listen to part 1 here: #102: (WILD) Rewilding Urban Parks with Lost Species - Sean McCormack, Ealing Beaver ProjectListen to part 2 here: #105: (WILD) Wilding the City, with Sophie Thompson (LDA Design)- - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Free training: Urban Sustainability in 5 Case Studies Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

In this episode I share 4 tips for effectively communicating about sustainability and climate change with a variety of audiences like clients, collaborators and the public. The four strategies I share are:Start with empathy and tailor your message to the audience.Lead with a positive narrative.Make it tangible and relevant.Don't preach. Co-create and facilitate.Research paper I mention: Bastin et al (2019) Understanding climate change from a global analysis of city analogues En-Roads Climate SimulatorNeed help crafting the vision and narrative for your project? Get in touch to see how I can help: Book a Discovery Call - - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Free training: Urban Sustainability in 5 Case Studies Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

In this episode I explore Sustainable Placemaking: an 8-step process for creating places that people love and maximise sustainability opportunities. So many masterplans create soulless and unsustainable places. In this episode I explain how getting the planning and design process right can unlock opportunities for placemaking, biodiversity, circular economy and decarbonisation.- - - https://greenurbanist.org/ Consulting: Book a Discovery Call to discuss your project Free training: Urban Sustainability in 5 Case Studies Course: Urban Sustainability Career Kickstart Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter The Green Urbanist podcast is hosted by Ross O'Ceallaigh.

This is episode 2 of 6 in the podcast series on urban rewilding.My guest is Sophie Thompson, a landscape architect and Director at LDA Design.In this episode we discuss:How wild nature can be brought into city streets and public spacesThe importance of working closely with local communitiesExamples of LDA's transformations of highly urban spaces into places for people and nature.How to manage the complexities and constraints of working in cities.More about LDA Design and the projects we discuss: LDA WebsiteGreening London's West EndAlfred Place GardensPrinces CircusConnect with Sophie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-thompson-51b4748/Further listening:Listen to Part 1 in the urban rewilding series: #102: (WILD) Rewilding Urban Parks with Lost Species - Sean McCormack, Ealing Beaver ProjectListen to my previous episode with LDA on their Strand Aldwych project: #81: Reimagining Roads as Public Space, with LDACover image of Princes Circus, London by LDA Design. Photo by Maple Studio, used with permission from LDA Design. - - -Free training: Urban Sustainability in 5 Case Studies Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

My guest is Duygu Kutluay, a campaigner at Beyond Fossil Fuels. We discuss:Why local community projects need to be part of Europe's energy transition away from fossil fuels.Beyond Fossil Fuels' new interactive map of community-based energy projects that you can access on their website. Six case studies of local energy projects from across Europe.More about Beyond Fossil Fuels: https://beyondfossilfuels.org/Local Energy Solutions Map: https://beyondfossilfuels.org/local-energy-solutions-map/- - -Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Workshop on 19 Feb:  Find your Unique Role in Climate Action (link)In this episode I explore the different roles that built environment professionals can play in leveraging systems change for sustainability. This is based on interviewing 122 guests on this podcast and exploring systems change research.The 5 types of change-makers are:Champion and CoordinatorResearcher and StorytellerTopic ExpertInnovatorSystems Influencer- - -Workshop on 19 Feb: Find your Unique Role in Climate ActionSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

This episode is part of a 6-part series on Urban Rewilding. My guest is Sean McCormack, Chair of Ealing Wildlife Group. Sean led the reintroduction of harvest mice and beavers into urban parks in London, UK. In this episode we discuss: What is 'Urban rewilding' and why we should do it.What made these projects successful.Getting support from the community.What needs to change to make rewilding in cities mainstream.Previous episodes with Sean:#72: Sean McCormack - Rewilding Urban London (Part 1)#73: Sean McCormack - Rewilding Urban London (Part 2)More about the Ealing Beaver Project here: https://theealingbeaverproject.comMore about Sean and Ealing Wildlife Group:https://ealingwildlifegroup.com/- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

This episode is a conversation with Jonathan Rosenbloom, Associate Dean at Albany Law School who has researched and written about sacrifice zones. He is also the Executive Director for the Sustainable Development Code.We discuss:Whether neighbourhoods that have been destroyed by natural disasters should be rebuilt or designated as no-build 'Sacrifice Zones'.How US planning departments can use the Sustainable Development Code to ensure new development is low carbon and climate adapted.Note: This episode was recorded before the LA wildfires in January 2025.Links:Contact Jonathan: jrose@albanylaw.eduSustainable Development Code: https://sustainablecitycode.org/Article on Sacrifice Zones: https://nextcity.org/urbanist-news/the-case-for-returning-disaster-prone-areas-back-to-nature - - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

This is a recording of a live streamed podcast episode to celebrate episode 100 of the podcast. I was joined by three guests, who you might recognise from past episodes:Laura Baron, Head of Sustainability, PurcelScott McAulay, Regenerative Design and Infrastructures Specialist, ArchitypeConrad Richardson, Sustainable Mobility ExpertWe discussed how we as built environment professionals can drive sustainable change through the work that we do. We also touch on some of the amazing work that all the guests are doing. You can watch the episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUS9ukxvtmI&t=2142s- - -More about the course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

My guest on this episode is Valentina Petrone, a former architect, circular economy expert and Manager of Strategy, Innovation and Sustainability at the New South Wales State Government. In this episode, Valentina gives career advice for those who want to transition from traditional built environment careers into sustainability. We also discuss three of her projects:New South Wales Circular Design GuidelinesBradfield City Centre MasterplanCircular Office FitoutConnect with Valentina on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valentina-petrone/- - -More about the course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

This episode is a conversation with Morgan Lewis, Co-Founder and CEO at Material Index.In the UK, 60% of all waste comes from the construction industry and only 2% of building components in the UK are reused. In this episode, Morgan explains how Material Index are trying to tackle this by working with building owners, contractors and project teams to make material reuse happen at scale.Learn more about Material Index: https://www.material-index.co.uk/_***Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment Professionals***Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Learn more and enrol now: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsMy new course is now live and available for purchase. It's an introduction to urban sustainability with practical advice for getting started with delivering more sustainable projects. _***Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment Professionals***Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Watch this training as a video for the best experience: Link to Video Training This is part 3 of a 3-part mini-course about how to start bringing sustainability into your work as a built environment professional. In this session, I provide a free training session about Regenerative Design, which is an excerpt from my upcoming full-length course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment Professionals_***Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment Professionals***Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Watch this training as a video for the best experience: Link to Video Training This is part 2 of a 3-part mini-course about how to start bringing sustainability into your work as a built environment professional. In this session, I provide a free training session about Net Zero Carbon, which is an excerpt from my upcoming full-length course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment Professionals_***Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment Professionals***Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

This is part 1 of a 3-part mini-course coming out this week about how to start bringing sustainability into your work as a built environment professional. In this episode, I give advice for how to approach learning about sustainability and what roles you can play in your career and community.To get parts 2 and 3 of this mini-course as video lessons delivered to your inbox, sign up to my newsletter: Green Urbanist Newsletter_***Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment Professionals***Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

In this episode I share some learnings from my recent research project about how climate change is likely to affect an urban nature reserve in London and climate adaptation recommendations for the reserve's management. I discuss:How to make climate change projections tangible at the city-levelHow climate change may impact on some common tree and vegetation speciesGeneral strategies for how urban parks and natural sites can adapt to climate changeReferences:EU Tree AtlasBastin et al. (2019) Understanding climate change from a global analysis of city analoguesUSDA report: Climate adaptation actions for urban forests and human health_***Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment Professionals***Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

My guest on this episode is Katrin Klingenberg, the Executive Director of Phius. Phius is a non-profit organization committed to decarbonizing the built environment by making high-performance passive building the mainstream market standard. They are mainly active in USA with some international projects. In this episode we discuss:Why passive design principles need to be adapted to different climate zones - and how Phius has done this in their standards.The role of passive design in net zero carbon.How passive design is becoming mainstream in the USA and what else needs to be done to achieve this. Learn more about Phius: https://www.phius.org/Phius Passive Building Foundations Training: https://www.phius.org/passive-building/what-passive-building/passive-building-foundations-trainingCourse: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

This episode is a conversation with Prachi Rampuria and Soham De, co-founders of an urban design practice called EcoResponsive Environments and are co-authors of a book by the same name. They joined me on this episode to discuss the concept of designing settlements with an understanding of natural systems as the starting point. They bring together the knowledge of multiple disciplines like sustainability, landscape ecology and water management and present it in a useful way for designers. More about their work: https://www.ecoresponsiveenvironments.com/EcoResponsive Environments bookThanks for listening!Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Nadina Galle is an ecological engineer, National Geographic Explorer, science and nature writer, podcaster, and keynote speaker. She helps green professionals use emerging technologies to improve urban ecosystems for future generations. She is the author of the book, The Nature of Our Cities, which is the topic of our conversation. Through rich stories from the book, in this episode we explore:The importance of urban nature for climate resilience, health and children.  The Internet of Nature, emerging technologies that are helping nature to thrive in cities.How to improve the survival of urban trees.Which cities are leading the way in a technological approach to managing urban nature.The potential risks of becoming over-reliant on technology and how to avoid this. Link: Learn more about Nadina and the book Link: The Internet of Nature podcastLink: Nadina also appeared on episode 27 of the Green Urbanist Podcast Register for Green Urbanist Online Meet Up (3 October): https://forms.gle/bqXLTxaajru9WSEv8Thanks for listening!Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletterSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

This episode is all about technology to help us deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). My guest is Shashin Mishra, VP of EMEA for AiDash.We explore how a new digital tool called BNGAI has been created to help developers, ecologists and local authorities deliver Biodiversity Net Gain on development sites. We talk through how can the tool be used to help designers and ecologists work together in a collaborative way to get better results.I ask the key question: Is this going to replace real ecologists? Spoiler: no, it won't. If you want to learn more, go to their website www.BNG.AIRegister for Green Urbanist Online Meet Up (3 October): https://forms.gle/bqXLTxaajru9WSEv8Thanks for listening!Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletterSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Doug Voigt, a partner at SOM, discusses the Wild Mile project in Chicago and the importance of rewilding and restoring ecological systems in cities. The project aims to reclaim part of the Chicago River as an ecological and community asset. We also discuss how the Wild Mile inspired an innovative approach to flood resilience in the Pearl River Delta. These projects are part of a larger effort to reimagine and retrofit urban infrastructure for the challenges of the 21st century.More about the Wild Mile: https://www.som.com/projects/wild-mile/More about Doug: https: https://www.som.com/person/doug-voigt/Register for Green Urbanist Online Meet Up (3 October): https://forms.gle/bqXLTxaajru9WSEv8Thanks for listening!Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletterSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Register for the online meet up: https://forms.gle/qEHEGgfaKFa68CBp9Join the first Green Urbanist Online Meet Up on 3 October, 7:00 - 7:30pm Central European Time / 6:00 - 6:30pm UK Time / 2:00 - 2:30pm New York TimeIt will be a chance to meet me and other like minded people around the world, ask questions and share your thoughts on green urbanism! I look forward to meeting you.Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Send us a textJames is founding partner of HTL Africa, a research-driven architectural firm dedicated to addressing the specific challenges of West African environments. He joined me to discuss what we can learn from traditional west African architecture and urbanism to apply to current challenges of climate change and housing shortages. Learn more about James and his projects: https://www.htlafrica.com/Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Send us a Text Message.Dr Thami Croeser is an urban planner with a focus on bringing nature back into cities in practical ways, at large scale. He is a Research Fellow at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.In this episode we discuss practical ways of bringing more nature into cities and helping it thrive through urban planning and design. Learn more about Thami and his publications: https://cur.org.au/people/mr-thami-croeser/Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Send us a Text Message.Shaun Spiers is the Executive Director of the environmental think-tank, Green Alliance. In this episode we discuss how a stronger planning system in the UK can address the housing crisis and deliver more sustainable outcomes. Read their report, Build Up: https://green-alliance.org.uk/publication/build-up/Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Alexandra Steed is a passionate landscape architect with a deep commitment to art, sustainability, and the transformative power of landscapes. We talk about:Her new book: Portrait to LandscapeHow to restore landscapes on a large scale to build climate resilience and biodiversityHow The UK's Environment Act and Biodiversity Net Gain are working in realityProject case studies and book recommendations.Learn more:Alexandra Steed URBAN: https://alexandrasteedurban.com/Book: Portrait to Landscape: https://alexandrasteedurban.com/project/portrait-to-landscape-a-landscape-strategy-to-reframe-our-future/Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Louisa Whitmore is an architecture enthusiast, TikToker and host of the Nature of Design documentary series. In this episode we discuss her experience making the documentary, the mental health benefits of biophilic environments and case studies of great biophilic projects.Learn more about the Nature of Design documentary:The Green Channel: LinkInstagram: LinkTikTok: LinkLouisa's TikTok: LinkThanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

In conversation with Alisdair Ben Dixon (Collective Works), Anna Lisa McSweeney (White Arkitektur) and Isabel Allen (Architecture Today) about the new Regenerative Architecture Index (RAI). Launched by Architecture Today and UK Architects Declare, the Regenerative Architecture Index (RAI) sets out to benchmark practices progress in the move towards regenerative practice and projects. It recognises the need for a built environment that isn't merely reducing its negative impacts, but has positive impacts for today and the long term.We discuss why they created the index, how they define 'regenerative design' and shifting towards regenerative practice in the built environment.Submissions are open until 17 May 2024.Links: Find out more and submit to the RAI: https://architecturetoday.co.uk/the-regenerative-architecture-index/More about Alisdair and Collective works: https://collectiveworks.net/practice/More about Anna Lisa: https://nla.london/contributors/anna-lisa-mcsweeney White Arkitektur: https://whitearkitekter.com/Bill Sharp's 3 Horizons Model: https://www.futuregenerations.wales/resources_posts/three-horizons-toolkit/Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

I sit down with Andrew Bullmore of VU.CITY to discuss how 3D models, digital twins and artificial intelligence tools can be used to do better, evidence-based planning and design and get more sustainable outcomes.  VU.CITY website: https://www.vu.city/SiteSolve generative AI: https://www.site-solve.co.uk/This is a sponsored episode. Thanks to VU.CITY for the support. Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Sam Luker is an Associate Sustainability Director at AESG and led on their new report titled 'Net Zero Neighbourhoods'. In this episode we discuss: Why the neighbourhood scale is optimal for decarbonisation and finding local solutions to sustainabilityPrinciples and case studies for Net Zero NeighbourhoodsRetrofitting existing neighbourhoods for decarbonisationHow to get communities involved and realise local benefitsExamples of innovative funding mechanisms to deliver net zero neighbourhoodsRead the report on Net Zero Neighbourhoods from AESG/LDN Collective: https://westlondon.com/net-zero-neighbourhoods-report-launched-to-further-the-uptake-for-a-low-carbon-future/Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Mohit and Sue Yen are architects and members of Decolonise Architecture, a solution-based group driven to tackle institutional racism and bias within architectural education and practice. In this episode we discuss:  How architectural education and practice can be 'colonial' in its approach, and the problems with this.Expanding architectural education and practice to embrace other cultures and worldviews.How the architecture profession can be made more accessible to all.Learn more about Decolonise Architecture: https://www.decolonisearchitecture.com/ Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Jeffrey Rissman is Senior Director at Energy Innovation, where he leads the company's work on technologies and policies to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the industry sector. He is the author of Zero-Carbon Industry: Transformative Technologies and Policies to Achieve Sustainable Prosperity (2024) and coauthor of Designing Climate Solutions: A Policy Guide for Low-Carbon Energy (2018).We discuss decarbonisation pathways for concrete and steel and what urbanists can do to drive down industrial emissions.Check out Jeff's book: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/zero-carbon-industry/9780231204200Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

 Welcome to part 4, the final episode in the landscape mini-series. In this episode I sit down with Cannon Ivers CMLI of LDA to discuss their inspiring project The Strand, Aldwych. The Strand was for centuries a busy traffic thoroughfare in central London that has been transformed into a totally pedestrianised and multi-functional public space. Cannon tells me the story of how this came to be, what it means for the people who use this space and how it connects to a larger initiative to transform busy roads in central London into public spaces. More about the Strand: https://www.lda-design.co.uk/kindling/news/westminster-unveils-reimagined-strand-aldwych/Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

 Welcome to part 3 in this mini-series on landscape and urban nature. In this episode I spoke with James Virgo CMLI of LUC. He tells me about LUC's work on Shoreditch Park. This is a nice case study of taking an existing park and working with the local community to improve it for biodiversity while tackling anti-social behaviour and creating a more welcoming and multi-function space for local people. More about Shoreditch Park: https://www.landuse.co.uk/news/luc-completes-the-shoreditch-park-improvement-works/Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

 Welcome to part 2 of this mini-series on landscape and urban nature. This episode features an interview with Michael Cowdy FLI of McGregor Coxall. We discuss two of their Landscape Award-nominated projects, a research project on BioUrbanism and the second a design code for green infrastructure for a new community Cherry Hinton North, Cambridge. More about Biourbanism: https://mcgregorcoxall.com/biourbanismThanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Weekly newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Welcome to this 4-part series on the role of landscape and urban nature in creating resilient, sustainable and healthy places. Over the next 4 weeks I'll be releasing short weekly episodes featuring interviews with landscape practitioners that highlight great case studies in landscape design and discuss the wider role of these interventions in green urbanism.The interviews were recorded at the Landscape Institute Awards 2023. Thanks to the Landscape Institute for inviting me along and organising these conversations.This first episode features a conversation with Landscape Institute President-elect Carolin Göhler. The focus of this chat was on responding to the climate and biodiversity crises through landscape interventions and some of the work the Landscape Institute is doing to push this forward.After the interview I share some more information specifically about nature-based climate adaptation in cities.Thanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram

Antonietta Canta is a Principal Environmental and Sustainability Engineer at Arup. In this episode we discuss their recent research report: ‘Addressing overheating risk in existing UK homes'. As dry as that title sounds, the conversation was actually very illuminating and useful. It's also useful for listeners outside the UK!We discuss:How many homes in UK are at risk of overheating now and in future climate scenarios.Why new apartments overheat more than houses and older buildings.The best strategies for reducing overheating in new and existing buildings and advice for architects, planners and policy makers.Read the report: https://www.arup.com/perspectives/publications/research/section/addressing-overheating-risk-in-existing-uk-homesThanks for listening!Join the Green Urbanist Newsletter: SubstackSupport the Podcast by Donation Contact Ross Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram