WTF for Cities? is a platform to introduce and connect people who are actively and consciously working on the future of cities and to introduce research about the future of cities.
Are you interested how urban form has been influenced by globalisation? Debate of the article titled The global homogenization of urban form – An assessment of 194 cities from 2020, by Richard Lemoine-Rodríguez, Luis Inostroza, and Harald Zepp, published in the Landscape and Urban Planning journal.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Alex Josephson in episode 406 talking about the globalisation of architecture. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the effect of globalisation on the built environment. This article shows most of cities becoming more homogenous and transitional as a consequence of fragmentation and compactness.Find the article through this link.Abstract: The spatial structure of cities, i.e. their composition, shape and degree of fragmentation or compactness, is a physical expression reflecting development efficiency. Identifying the evolution of urban systems in time and space is crucial towards sustainable urban development. In this paper, we assess the spatial structure of 194 cities from 1990 and 2015, in order to identify patterns, clusters of similar cities, trajectories, and the global distribution of urban form. We delineated the contiguous urban fabric, employed landscape metrics to quantitatively describe urban patterns, applied a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to reduce the dimension of data to an uncorrelated set of variables and identified groups of cities with similar urban forms by means of hierarchical clustering. We found four types of urban form: compact-grey, transitional, ragged-small and fragmented-complex cities. Globally, continentally and regionally, cities have followed a trend towards more homogeneous urban forms, most of them becoming transitional as a consequence of both, processes of fragmentation and compactness. The only exception of this trend is a group of large cities in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, which are still predominantly fragmented-complex. Under the persisting process of urban expansion, small to medium-sized cities showed to be the most dynamic in terms of expansion and change in urban form, which makes them key towards sustainable urban development. This analysis contributes to the understanding of the transformations induced by the process of urban expansion that shapes urban form. Such information is crucial for achieving urban sustainability.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.259R - Lessons from nine urban areas using data to drive local sustainable developmentNo.404 - Interview with Jeff Siegler about ownershipYou can find the transcript through this linkWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also availableI hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning inEpisode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link)Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the crisis of architecture? What do you think about equality as reducing suffering? How can we roll out visions without compromises? Trailer for episode 406 - interview with Alexander Josephson, founder of Cumulus and Partisans. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, optimism, visions getting compromised, investing in one's city, urban evolution, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the crisis of architecture? What do you think about equality as reducing suffering? How can we roll out visions without compromises? Trailer for episode 406 - interview with Alexander Josephson, founder of Cumulus and Partisans. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, optimism, visions getting compromised, investing in one's city, urban evolution, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"Boy, what if we, as a society, became as obsessed with healthy places as we did with healthy food."Are you interested in the health of individuals and communities? What do you think about the effect of the environment on us? How can we encourage human behaviour change for better urban futures? Interview with Jeff Siegler, founder of Revitalize, or Die and author of Your City is Sick book. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, individual and community health, how the environment affects us, feelings and technical details, and many more. Jeff Siegler is a community revitalization expert dedicated to "killing apathy" and rebuilding local economies. With a background in urban planning, economics, and district management, Jeff has assisted hundreds of communities in achieving sustainability. He is known for his blunt honesty and passionate approach, believing that to fix a city, you must first revitalize its people. In 2023, Jeff authored Your City is Sick, a guide to diagnosing community shortcomings and fostering civic pride. Based in Pittsburgh, Jeff balances his professional "agitation" of city leaders with raising his two children, committed to the belief that vibrant communities transform lives.Find out more about Jeff through these links:Jeff Siegler on LinkedIn@jeff_siegler as Jeff Siegler on InstagramRevitalize, or Die websiteRevitalize, or Die on YoutubeYour City Is Sick - book by Jeff SieglerConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.225R - Positioning place-making as a social processNo.392 - Interview with Sebastian Pfautsch about climate smart designNo.396 - Interview with Lior Steinberg about car-free citiesNo.403R - Integrating behavioral science into urban planning: A framework for human-centered spatial designWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the health of individuals and communities? What do you think about the effect of the environment on us? How can we encourage human behaviour change for better urban futures? Trailer for episode 404 - interview with Jeff Siegler, founder of Revitalize, or Die and author of Your City is Sick book. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, individual and community health, how the environment affects us, feelings and technical details, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested how behavioural science influences urban design? Debate of the article titled Integrating behavioral science into urban planning: a framework for human-centered spatial design from 2025, by Mohamed M.E. Khogali, Eman Ahmed Mohamed Ali, and Abbas Ramdani, published in the Frontiers in Psychology journal.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Jeff Siegler in episode 404 talking about the need to include behavioural science into urban planning. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the connection between behavioural science and urban planning. This article shows that cities informed by behavioural insights foster social cohesion, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability.Find the article through this link.Abstract: This paper examines the intrinsic relationship between urban planning and behavioral concepts, addressing a significant knowledge gap in how spatial arrangements influence human behavior and well-being. Through a systematic literature review and analytical framework, we investigate the interdependence between urban spatial design and human behavioral patterns across seven key planning domains: urban form, built environment, infrastructure services, urban landscapes, public spaces, urban housing fabric, and urban design. Our findings reveal that physical environments significantly shape human psychological, cognitive, and behavioral responses, while human activities simultaneously influence urban structures. The research identifies critical behavioral determinants that impact urban environments and demonstrates how behavioral science can reduce uncertainty in design processes. By integrating insights from environmental psychology and behavioral theory, this study offers a conceptual model to guide urban planners toward more behaviorally responsive design approaches. We conclude that well-planned cities support economically prosperous, socially cohesive, and environmentally sustainable communities, while poorly planned environments can exacerbate social unrest and hinder development. The study recommends institutionalizing participatory design methodologies, prioritizing pedestrian-oriented layouts, equitably distributing green spaces, adopting context-sensitive planning approaches, and implementing rigorous post-implementation behavioral assessments to develop truly human-centered urban environments.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.255R - Participation, co-creation, and public spaceNo.365R - The Civic BrandYou can find the transcript through this linkWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also availableI hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning inEpisode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link)Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the health of individuals and communities? What do you think about the effect of the environment on us? How can we encourage human behaviour change for better urban futures? Trailer for episode 404 - interview with Jeff Siegler, founder of Revitalize, or Die and author of Your City is Sick book. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, individual and community health, how the environment affects us, feelings and technical details, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the health of individuals and communities? What do you think about the effect of the environment on us? How can we encourage human behaviour change for better urban futures? Trailer for episode 404 - interview with Jeff Siegler, founder of Revitalize, or Die and author of Your City is Sick book. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, individual and community health, how the environment affects us, feelings and technical details, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"Time only exist in the present, there is no such thing as the future. So you need to prepare now."Are you interested in the will to face current challenges? What do you think about being the modern Paul Revere to increase public dialogue? How can we accept and encourage change which happens anyway? Interview with Ben Gilliland, the chairman and founder of Future Proof Property Intelligence. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, public dialogue, alchemy, technology, future proofing, collaboration, and many more. Ben Gilliland is the chairman and founder of Future Proof Property Intelligence, where he spearheaded the spin-out of an advanced AI platform from The Paulele Housing Association (TPHA), a Hawaii-based nonprofit he co-founded with his late wife, Holly. With over 55 years in design, technology, structured finance, and venture capital - including patents in fibre optics and innovative construction remediation - Ben leads a holistic solution to extreme weather risks. The platform delivers precise AI-driven property risk assessments, engineered remediation plans, vetted contractors, DIY options, and tailored financing - empowering homeowners, developers, engineers, insurers, and policymakers to reduce disaster costs proactively. As Ben says: the risks are real - but so are the solutions, so let's fix it, instead of forgetting it!Find out more about Ben through these links:Ben Gilliland on LinkedInFutureProof websiteFutureProof on LinkedIn@FutureProof_PI as FutureProof on Xfutureproofpropertyintel as FutureProof on InstagramFutureProof on NetcapitalConnecting episodes you might be interested:No.280 - Interview with Hudson Worsley about environmental servicesNo.282 - Interview with Keygan Huckleberry about disaster resilienceNo.401R - Adaptation infrastructure and its effects on property values in the face of climate riskWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the will to face current challenges? What do you think about being the modern Paul Revere to increase public dialogue? How can we accept and encourage change which happens anyway? Trailer for episode 402 - interview with Ben Gilliland, the chairman and founder of Future Proof Property Intelligence. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, public dialogue, alchemy, technology, future proofing, collaboration, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in how preparing your house to resilience can increase its value? Debate of the article titled Adaptation infrastructure and its effects on property values in the face of climate risk from 2022, by David L. Kelly and Renato Molina, published in the Journal of the Association of Environmental and resource Economists.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Ben Gilliland in episode 402 talking about the opportunities in adapting our houses to climate change. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how investments in climate adaptation infrastructure influence real estate prices. This article shows that homebuyers and sellers need to recognise that preparing infrastructure not only increases its value, decreases its premium in insurance, but also successfully alleviate potential environmental threats.Find the article through this link.Abstract: We evaluate the effect of climate adaptation infrastructure investments on property transaction prices, using data on over 400,000 property transactions and 162 infrastructure projects in Miami-Dade County, an area that is highly vulnerable to flooding and sea level rise due to climate change. Exploiting the timing and siting of different adaptation projects in Miami-Dade, we are able to identify significant gains in property values after completion of adaptation infrastructure projects. These gains are concentrated in areas close to the project and for projects that are visually identifiable. Our results suggest an aggregate mean benefit, net of adaptation cost, of about $0.68 million per project and almost $300 million in aggregate net benefits for all projects in our sample. Most projects generated positive net benefits, indicating that the vast majority of adaptation efforts are being placed in areas passing a benefit-cost test.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.281R - Misfortunes never come singly. A holistic approach to urban resilience and sustainability challengesNo.282 - Interview with Keygan Huckleberry about disaster resilienceYou can find the transcript through this linkWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also availableI hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning inEpisode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link)Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the will to face current challenges? What do you think about being the modern Paul Revere to increase public dialogue? How can we accept and encourage change which happens anyway? Trailer for episode 402 - interview with Ben Gilliland, the chairman and founder of Future Proof Property Intelligence. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, public dialogue, alchemy, technology, future proofing, collaboration, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the will to face current challenges? What do you think about being the modern Paul Revere to increase public dialogue? How can we accept and encourage change which happens anyway? Trailer for episode 402 - interview with Ben Gilliland, the chairman and founder of Future Proof Property Intelligence. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, public dialogue, alchemy, technology, future proofing, collaboration, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in how to address climate change's effects in cities? What do you think is the root cause of current problems? How can we implement a simple understanding in our seemingly complex systems? This episode is a panel discussion about climate change vs cities. The panellists, Hudson Worsley, Matt Gijselman and Allan Savory talk about their vision for the future of cities, agriculture, the root causes, urban management, and many more. Hudson Worsley is the co-founder and director of Presync, a certified B Corp sustainability consultancy, and Chair of MECLA, the Materials & Embodied Carbon Leaders' Alliance. He helps organisations transition to a zero-carbon economy and adapt to climate change. Hudson identifies opportunities for energy efficiency, on-site renewables, and renewable power purchase agreements. With Presync's integrated approach and many years of experience, the small, nimble team draws on deep expertise in energy, innovation, property development, emissions reduction, and climate change.Hudson talked about environmental services in episode 280.Matt Gijselman, with over 20 years of experience in public policy and advocacy, is the Director of Infrastructure Policy Advancement for APAC at Bentley Systems. He leads policy initiatives supporting digital transformation in infrastructure, working with stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and media. Matt is a strategic leader with strong communication and project management skills, deeply understanding the APAC policy and regulatory environment. He is dedicated to advancing infrastructure and bringing diverse perspectives to Bentley Systems.Matt talked about blue and green infrastructure in episode 258.Allan Savory, born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) in 1935 and educated at the University of Natal, started his career as a research biologist and game ranger in Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia). His diverse path included roles as soldier, farmer, rancher, international ecological consultant, and Member of Parliament. Opposing Ian Smith's regime led to his exile to the U.S. in 1979. In 2009, he co-founded the Savory Institute to promote Holistic Management worldwide - outlined in his book Holistic Management: A Commonsense Revolution to Restore Our Environment (2016). He received Australia's 2003 Banksia International Award for global environmental impact. His 2013 TED talk on desertification has millions of views.Allan talked about holistic management in episode 356.Connected episodes you might be interested in:No.257R - Formal Model for Green Urbanism in Smart CitiesNo.279R - How ecosystems services drive urban growth: Integrating nature-based solutionsNo.355R - The foundations of holistic managementNo.399R - 30 Years of Adaptation under the Convention and the Paris AgreementWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in how to address climate change's effects in cities? What do you think is the root cause of current problems? How can we implement a simple understanding in our seemingly complex systems? Trailer for episode 400 - a panel discussion about climate change vs cities. The panellists, Hudson Worsley, Matt Gijselman and Allan Savory talk about their vision for the future of cities, agriculture, the root causes, urban management, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in how global efforts changed to address climate change in the last 30 years? Debate of the UN report titled 30 years of adaptation under the Convention and the Paris Agreement from 2024, by the United Nations Climate Change Adaptation Committee.This is a great preparation to our next panel conversation with Hudson Worsley, Matt Gijselman and Allan Savory in episode 400 talking about the change and potential additional road needed to be covered by public discourse. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how the conversations have changed regarding climate change. This report serves as a roadmap to assess collective progress through initiatives.Find the report through this link.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.013R - Managing climate change in Australia - A global, long-term viewNo.275R - Trends in research and development for CO2 capture and sequestrationYou can find the transcript through this linkWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also availableI hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning inEpisode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link)Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in how to address climate change's effects in cities? What do you think is the root cause of current problems? How can we implement a simple understanding in our seemingly complex systems?Trailer for episode 400 - a panel discussion about climate change vs cities. The panellists, Hudson Worsley, Matt Gijselman and Allan Savory talk about their vision for the future of cities, agriculture, the root causes, urban management, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in how to address climate change's effects in cities? What do you think is the root cause of current problems? How can we implement a simple understanding in our seemingly complex systems? Trailer for episode 400 - a panel discussion about climate change vs cities. The panellists, Hudson Worsley, Matt Gijselman and Allan Savory talk about their vision for the future of cities, agriculture, the root causes, urban management, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"There is a way to do small-scale experiments-"Are you interested in governance experiments? What do you think about decentralisation efforts? How can we utilise blockchain and crypto to create better governance systems?Interview Bradford Cross, CEO of Alpha City and Managing Partner at Pronomos Capital and Two Lions. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, decentralised governance, difference between governance and governments, government and governance experiments, and many more.Bradford Cross is founder and CEO of Alpha City, a federation of frontier cities in Africa built from first principles to unleash local ambition and global talent. He runs Two Lions, his family office and startup lab, and co-manages Pronomos Capital, backing new jurisdictions and governance models. A two-decade AI veteran, he started CEAI in Central Europe in 2002 and co-founded DCVC, a deep-tech VC managing billions. His earlier ventures span clinical trials, anti-money-laundering, newsfeed AI, flight prediction, cyber insurance and real-estate lending. Dad, gym junkie, sharp dresser, jungle-to-nightclub explorer - and still outlasting his iPhone battery.Find out more about Bradford through these links:Bradford Cross on LinkedInBradford Cross on Substack@bradfordcross as Bradford Cross on X@bradfordmode as Bradford Cross on InstagramAlphaCity on LinkedIn@alphacityinc as AlphaCity on X@alphacityinc as AlphaCity on InstagramPronomos Capital websitePronomos Capital on LinkedIn@PronomosVC as Pronomos Capital on X@pronomosvc as Pronomos Capital on InstagramTwo Lions on LinkedInConnected episodes you might be interested in:No.294 - Interview with Erick A. Brimen about Prospera HondurasNo.380 - Interview with Adam Miller about voting when you wantNo.397R - Urbanisation and entrepreneurship in development: Like a horse and carriage? What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in governance experiments? What do you think about decentralisation efforts? How can we utilise blockchain and crypto to create better governance systems?Trailer for episode 398 - interview Bradford Cross, CEO of Alpha City and Managing Partner at Pronomos Capital and Two Lions. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, decentralised governance, difference between governance and governments, government and governance experiments, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in how urban evolution and entrepreneurial capitalism is connected? Our debate today works with the book chapter titled Urbanisation and entrepreneurship in development: Like a horse and carriage? from 2018, by Wim Naudé, part of the Smart Futures, Challenges of Urbanisation, and Social Sustainability book, published by Spinger Nature. This is a great preparation to our next interview with Bradford Cross in episode 398 talking about the importance and opportunities of entrepreneurial capitalism. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how entrepreneurial capitalism is connected to the future of cities. This chapter explores the interdependent relationship between urbanisation and entrepreneurship, suggesting that they act as primary drivers for economic development.Find the article through this link.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.347R - The economy forward framework: How midsized cities can achieve inclusive growth in the knowledge economyNo.380 - Interview with Adam Miller about urban economicsYou can find the transcript through this linkWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also availableI hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning inEpisode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link)Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in governance experiments? What do you think about decentralisation efforts? How can we utilise blockchain and crypto to create better governance systems?Trailer for episode 398 - interview Bradford Cross, CEO of Alpha City and Managing Partner at Pronomos Capital and Two Lions. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, decentralised governance, difference between governance and governments, government and governance experiments, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in governance experiments? What do you think about decentralisation efforts? How can we utilise blockchain and crypto to create better governance systems?Trailer for episode 398 - interview Bradford Cross, CEO of Alpha City and Managing Partner at Pronomos Capital and Two Lions. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, decentralised governance, difference between governance and governments, government and governance experiments, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"To build more complex models we need all those professions that have something to do with cities and collaborative."Are you interested in cities without cars? What do you think about redefining transport as moving AND staying? How can we improve our public spaces? Interview with Lior Steinberg, urban planner and co-founder of Humankind. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, active transportation, car-free cities, public spaces, good urban examples, and many more. Lior Steinberg is an urban planner and co-founder of Humankind, a multidisciplinary collective accelerating the transition towards urban happiness for all. He helps cities to look beyond functionality and to plan urban spaces that make people smile. All the projects Lior participates in have one thing in common: they create people-oriented cities. Being a Jane Jacobs' enthusiast and a fan of great public spaces, he is keen on making cities better with an emphasis on local, innovative interventions and on including residents in urban planning.Learn more about Lior through these links:Lior Steinberg on LinkedInLior Steinberg websiteHumankind websiteHumankind on LinkedIn@humankindcity as Humankind on InstagramLior Steinberg at Urban FuturesConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.340 - Interview with Aaron Stupple and Logan Chipkin about the city as a learning machine for kidsNo.368 - Interview with Josh Rands about urban transport modellingNo.395R - Car free cities: Pathway to healthy urban livingWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in cities without cars? What do you think about redefining transport as moving AND staying? How can we improve our public spaces? Trailer for episode 396 - interview with Lior Steinberg, urban planner and co-founder of Humankind. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, active transportation, car-free cities, public spaces, good urban examples, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in car free cities? Debate of the article titled Car free cities: Pathway to healthy urban living from 2016, by Mark J. Nieuwenhuijsen and Haneen Khreis, published in the Environment International journal.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Lior Steinberg in episode 396 talking about the idea of a car free city. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to investigate our urban environments without cars. This article examines the global transition of urban centres toward private car-free models to improve environmental and public health outcomes.Find the article through this link.Connected episodes you might be interested in:No.325R - Economic and social impacts of public transport investments: A scoping literature reviewNo.326I - Interview with Sarah Bridges about the importance of public transportYou can find the transcript through this linkWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also availableI hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning inEpisode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link)Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in cities without cars? What do you think about redefining transport as moving AND staying? How can we improve our public spaces? Trailer for episode 396 - interview with Lior Steinberg, urban planner and co-founder of Humankind. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, active transportation, car-free cities, public spaces, good urban examples, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in cities without cars? What do you think about redefining transport as moving AND staying? How can we improve our public spaces? Trailer for episode 396 - interview with Lior Steinberg, urban planner and co-founder of Humankind. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, active transportation, car-free cities, public spaces, good urban examples, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"Responsible governance requires you to make decisions that have a long term input - a long term positive impact."Are you interested in the governments' role for the future of cities? What do you think about urban retrofitting? How can we encourage our politicians to think long term? Interview with Harriet Shing, MP for the Eastern Victoria Region. Minister for Housing and Building, Precincts and Development Victoria, and Suburban Rail Loop. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, the government's role, liveability, urban retrofit, and many more. The Hon. Harriet Shing MP has served as a Labor Member for Eastern Victoria since 2014. She has been a Minister in the Labor Government since 2022, and in December 2024 she was appointed Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Housing and Building and Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts. Before her election to the Victorian Upper House, Harriet worked as a lawyer. An accomplished negotiator and advocate, she has extensive experience in industrial relations, employment and discrimination law, and dispute resolution at State and Federal levels. Harriet has worked as a senior policy adviser, lawyer, and industrial relations specialist in the Victorian private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. She has also served as a trustee director on the board of industry superannuation fund Vision Super. As Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet is focused on identifying and enhancing opportunities across the entire region to ensure that local communities thrive.Find out more about Harriet through these links:Harriet Shing websiteHarriet Shing on LinkedIn@ShingvWorld as Harriet Shing on X@harrietshingmlc as Harriet Shing on InstagramHarriet Shing at the Parliament of VictoriaConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.294 - Interview with Erick A. Brimen about governance experimentsNo.370 - Interview with Vít Jedlicka about new forms of governmentsNo.378 - Interview with Remco Deelstra about the government's role in establishing the future of citiesNo.393R - The economics of adaptive reuse - Comparative cost analysis of revitalization vs demolition and reconstruction at Radex Park MarywilskaWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the governments' role for the future of cities? What do you think about urban retrofitting? How can we encourage our politicians to think long term? Trailer for episode 394 - interview with Harriet Shing, MP for the Eastern Victoria Region. Minister for Housing and Building, Precincts and Development Victoria, and Suburban Rail Loop. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, the government's role, liveability, urban retrofit, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the comparison of urban development and retrofit? Our debate today works with the article titled The economics of adaptive reuse – Comparative cost analysis of revitalization vs demolition and construction at Radex Park Marywilska from 2025, by Janusz Sobieraj, Marcos Fernandez, and Dominik Metelski, published in MDPI Buildings journal.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Harriet Shing in episode 394 talking about the government's perspective on urban retrofit vs new development.Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see a comparison of adaptive reuse and demolition and development. This article proposes adaptive reuse as the optimal strategy for sustainable urban development, reinforcing the importance of preserving existing structures and integrating circular economy principles.Find the article through this linkAbstract: The revitalization of post-industrial areas has emerged as a critical strategy for sustainable urban development, achieving a balance between economic, social, and environmental priorities. This study assesses the transformative capacity of revitalization strategies by conducting a comprehensive case analysis of “Radex Park Marywilska” in Warsaw, Poland. The analysis quantifies the benefits of revitalization in comparison to demolition and new construction methodologies. An examination of the revitalization initiative demonstrates that it yielded a total of PLN 41.15 million in benefits, with PLN 28.13 million attributed to direct cost savings and another PLN 13.02 million resulting from environmental improvements. In practical terms, this equates to a return of PLN 1.93 for every PLN 1 invested—a notably efficient outcome. The project transformed four industrial buildings, significantly increasing usable space in some (e.g., Building L1 by 345% and K1 by 21.6%) while slightly reducing it in others (B1 by 4.7% and I1 by 10.5%). From an environmental impact perspective, the success was staggering: 48,217 tons of carbon dioxide emissions were prevented, and 72,315 tons of building waste were diverted from landfills. To these figures, the study further adds a return in economic activity, the generation of new jobs, and improvement in local infrastructure. The retrofitting of historical buildings to contemporary standards has encountered numerous challenges; nonetheless, the implementation of circular economy principles has succeeded in negating such challenges. Generally, the results show economic, environmental, and social benefits of revitalization projects compared to new, greenfield projects. The case study provides valuable lessons to policymakers and urban planners, rendering adaptive reuse a fundamental approach in achieving sustainable urban developmentConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.191R - Decision-making approach to urban energy retrofit – A comprehensive reviewNo.300 - Panel discussion on retrofitting the urban fabric for food productionYou can find the transcript through this linkWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also availableI hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning inEpisode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link)Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the governments' role for the future of cities? What do you think about urban retrofitting? How can we encourage our politicians to think long term? Trailer for episode 394 - interview with Harriet Shing, MP for the Eastern Victoria Region. Minister for Housing and Building, Precincts and Development Victoria, and Suburban Rail Loop. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, the government's role, liveability, urban retrofit, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in the governments' role for the future of cities? What do you think about urban retrofitting? How can we encourage our politicians to think long term? Trailer for episode 394 - interview with Harriet Shing, MP for the Eastern Victoria Region. Minister for Housing and Building, Precincts and Development Victoria, and Suburban Rail Loop. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, the government's role, liveability, urban retrofit, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"With the knowledge that we create we will find solutions to make cities more liveable."Are you interested in improving urban asset management? What do you think about the urban heat island effect? How can we empower people to work towards a better future instead of cowering with fear in the corner? Interview with Sebastian Pfautsch, Professor of Urban Management and Planning at Western Sydney University and President of Australasian Green Infrastructure Network. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, climate change, urban heat island effect, practical solutions, urban change, and many more. Sebastian Pfautsch is a Professor of Urban Management and Planning at Western Sydney University. He is also the President of the Australasian Green Infrastructure Network. By combining his knowledge of urban planning, material science, plant ecophysiology and climate change, he develops evidence-based solutions that help cities adapt to rising summer heat. His projects won multiple awards for innovation, sustainability and technology, and his high-quality research is documented in 150 published works. He has generated more than $17 million in research funding and is listed in the top 2% of scientists worldwide (Stanford University and Elsevier).Find out more about Sebastian through these links:Sebastian Pfautsch on LinkedInas Sebastian Pfautsch on Xas Sebastian Pfautsch on InstagramSebastian Pfautsch at Western Sydney UniversitySebastian Pfautsch on Google ScholarSebastian Pfautsch about Urban Adaptation on the 100 Climate ConversationsMapping summer microclimates across the City of Sydney, Australia - report co-authored by Sebastian PfautschGuide to climate-smart playgrounds - Research findings and application - report co-authored by Sebastian PfautschDespicable urban places: Hot car parks - report co-authored by Sebastian PfautschNext generation cool-green car park concept for urban heat resilience - report co-authored by Sebastian PfautschConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.257R - Formal Model for Green Urbanism in Smart CitiesNo.258 - Interview with Matt Gijselman about blue and green infrastructureNo.321R - Synergies and exacerbations— effects of warmer weather and climate changeNo.391R - Urban heat, its effects, and solutions for itNo.394 - Interview with Hon. Harriet Shing about the role of the governmentWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in improving urban asset management? What do you think about the urban heat island effect? How can we empower people to work towards a better future instead of cowering with fear in the corner? Trailer for episode 392 - interview with Sebastian Pfautsch, Professor of Urban Management and Planning at Western Sydney University and President of Australasian Green Infrastructure Network. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, climate change, urban heat island effect, practical solutions, urban change, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in solutions for the urban heat island effect? Our summary today works with 5 articles and reports, titled Spatiotemporal variation of intra-urban heat and heatwaves across Greater Sydney, Australia, Mapping summer microclimates, Despicable urban places, Climate-smart playgrounds, and the Next generation cool-green car park concept for urban heat resilience co-authored by Sebastian Pfautsch, the next interviewee in episode 392, talking about his research and urban experiments to solve some of the challenges caused by urban heat. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how urban heat can be combatted with specific solutions. These resources advocate for integrating heat-responsive design solutions, such as permeable surfaces and natural shading, to create resilient and thermally safe public infrastructure in a warming climate.Find the articles and reports - co-authored by Sebastian Pfautsch - through these links:Spatiotemporal variation of intra-urban heat and heatwaves across Greater Sydney, AustraliaMapping summer microclimates across the City of Sydney, Australia Guide to climate-smart playgrounds - Research findings and application Despicable urban places: Hot car parks Next generation cool-green car park concept for urban heat resilience Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.257R - Formal Model for Green Urbanism in Smart CitiesNo.258 - Interview with Matt Gijselman about blue and green infrastructureNo.321R - Synergies and exacerbations— effects of warmer weather and climate changeYou can find the transcript through this link.What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in improving urban asset management? What do you think about the urban heat island effect? How can we empower people to work towards a better future instead of cowering with fear in the corner? Trailer for episode 392 - interview with Sebastian Pfautsch, Professor of Urban Management and Planning at Western Sydney University and President of Australasian Green Infrastructure Network. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, climate change, urban heat island effect, practical solutions, urban change, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in improving urban asset management? What do you think about the urban heat island effect? How can we empower people to work towards a better future instead of cowering with fear in the corner? Trailer for episode 392 - interview with Sebastian Pfautsch, Professor of Urban Management and Planning at Western Sydney University and President of Australasian Green Infrastructure Network. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, climate change, urban heat island effect, practical solutions, urban change, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"Natural selectin is innovation ... that is when new things are invented in biology. The difference with humans is we have culture which makes us able to make innovations much faster."Are you interested in new forms of government? What do you think about betting markets – can they help our governance? How can we ensure the continuation of our cherished values? Interview with Robin Hanson, American economist and author. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, cultural evolution, adaptability, innovation, and many more. Robin Hanson (born August 28, 1959) is an American economist and author known for his pioneering work on prediction markets and unconventional futuristic concepts. He currently serves as an associate professor of economics at George Mason University and was a research associate at the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University. He holds a PhD in social science from Caltech, as well as degrees in physics and the conceptual foundations of science. Robin is widely recognized for inventing the Logarithmic Market Scoring Rule used in prediction markets and for proposing "futarchy," a governance system determined by betting markets. He also originated the "Great Filter" hypothesis to explain the lack of observable extraterrestrial civilizations. His major publications include The Age of Em (2016), which models a future economy of brain emulations, and The Elephant in the Brain (2018), which explores hidden human motives. Additionally, Robin is a vocal advocate for cryonics.Find out more about Robin through these links:Robin Hanson on LinkedInRobin Hanson website@robinhanson as Robin Hanson on X@RobinHanson as Robin Hanson on YoutubeOvercoming Bias - Robin Hanson's blogThe Age of EM - book by Robin HansonThe Elephant in the Brain - book by Robin Hanson and Kevin SimlerRobin Hanson on WikipediaRobin Hanson on Google ScholarRobin Hanson at TEDConnected episodes you might be interested in:No.274 - Interview with Richard Gill about disruptive technologiesNo.294 - Interview with Erick A. Brimen about Prospera HondurasNo.380 - Interview with Adam Miller about DAOs as new governance typeNo.388 - Interview with Maurice Berger and Raquel Medrano Clemente about cultural evolutionNo.389R - Shall we vote on values, but bet on beliefs? What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in new forms of government? What do you think about betting markets – can they help our governance? How can we ensure the continuation of our cherished values? Trailer for episode 390 - interview with Robin Hanson, American economist and author. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, cultural evolution, adaptability, innovation, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in a governing system based on betting? Our debate today works with the article titled Shall we vote on values, but bet on beliefs? from 2000, by Robin Hanson. This is a great preparation to our next interview with Robin Hanson in episode 390 talking about the opportunities in the betting markets for governance. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how this new form of governance could work. This article presents the revolutionary governing system where the public votes on values but bets on beliefs, with design challenges and opportunities within the system.Find the article through this link.Abstract: A key question to ask about any social institution is how well it generates, aggregates, and distributes information. Speculative markets seem to do well at this, while familiar democratic institutions, relying in part on academic institutions, seem to fail in many ways. So perhaps we should consider “futarchy,” a form of government where betting markets become our primary common source on matters of fact. Democracy would say what we want, while speculators would say how to get it. That is, elected representatives would formally define and manage an after-the-fact measurement of national welfare, while market speculators would say which policies they expect to raise national welfare. If we are willing to recommend policies that macroeconomic data suggest are causally related to GDP, it seems we should be willing to consider futarchy. Using an qualitative engineering-style approach, this paper considers thirty design issues with futarchy, and then presents a relatively specific proposal which responds to those concerns.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.022R - CryptoCitiesNo.369R - Liberland Blockchain WhitepaperYou can find the transcript through this link.What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in new forms of government? What do you think about betting markets – can they help our governance? How can we ensure the continuation of our cherished values? Trailer for episode 390 - interview with Robin Hanson, American economist and author. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, cultural evolution, adaptability, innovation, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in new forms of government? What do you think about betting markets – can they help our governance? How can we ensure the continuation of our cherished values? Trailer for episode 390 - interview with Robin Hanson, American economist and author. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, cultural evolution, adaptability, innovation, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in liveability as choices? What do you think about cultural evolution? How can we create a community of changemakers? Interview with Maurice Berger and Raquel Medrano Clemente, co-founders of Liveable Cities Collective. We will talk about their vision for the future of cities, liveability, cultural evolution, human connection, and many more. Maurice Berger is the co-founder of Liveable Cities Collective. Combining scientific training with lifelong business experience, he has spent two decades working globally with governments and planners to collect and analyse transport data that makes streets safer and more efficient. He believes data only matters when it tells a meaningful story, and that real change happens where evidence and community meet. An avid cyclist and traveller, Maurice champions sustainable transport and community building through cycling groups and charity rides. His commitment to connection also drives his men's group, creating space for honest conversation, courage and shared leadership.Raquel Medrano Clemente is the co-founder of Liveable Cities Collective. She brings a rich and varied professional background, having worked across banking, mining, education, construction, and hospitality. Her passion for communities has been a constant, reflected in her work founding educational programs and leading non-profit organisations. With a decade of experience in business coaching and consulting, Raquel is committed to leadership empowerment and sparking meaningful conversations. Her multicultural background and experience living in multiple countries give her a global perspective on building more connected communities and championing multiculturalism and belonging. Passionate about music, culture, and art, she now advocates for creative approaches to shaping communities and places. Through Liveable Cities Collective, she co-leads a social enterprise that connects changemakers around the world for collaboration and shared impact.Find out more about Maurice and Raquel through these links:Maurice Berger on LinkedInRaquel Medrano Clemente on LinkedInLiveable Cities Collective websiteLiveable Cities Collective on LinkedInLiveable Cities Collective on FacebookConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.228 - Interview with Dominique Hes about regenerative design thinkingNo.312 - Interview with Gilbert Rochecouste about regenerative place makingWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in liveability as choices? What do you think about cultural evolution? How can we create a community of changemakers? Trailer for episode 388 - interview with Maurice Berger and Raquel Medrano Clemente, co-founders of Liveable Cities Collective. We will talk about their vision for the future of cities, liveability, cultural evolution, human connection, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Today would be a research episode, but since it is 2025 Christmas time, I want to just wish you all relaxing holidays with or without celebrating Christmas, Merry Christmas if you do celebrate it, and a very Happy New Year! We will have many interesting topics to discover and further discuss in 2026. I am already preparing those episodes and I am very excited about what will come! First, this episode will be followed by a panel conversation in episode 388 with a collective working on creating a network of people who want to create better future for cities – a very hopeful and motivating conversation! Then in 2026 we will have guests from all over the world and many areas like government, policy, fiction and exploration, infrastructure, urban planning and design, and many more!!! If you need some food for thought while you are awaiting the next episode, check out episode 360 with Barry O'Reilly, where we discuss the opportunities to create antifragile systems. I hope you are well and also full with plans for the new year, see you then and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in liveability as choices? What do you think about cultural evolution? How can we create a community of changemakers? Trailer for episode 388 - interview with Maurice Berger and Raquel Medrano Clemente, co-founders of Liveable Cities Collective. We will talk about their vision for the future of cities, liveability, cultural evolution, human connection, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in liveability as choices? What do you think about cultural evolution? How can we create a community of changemakers? Trailer for episode 388 - interview with Maurice Berger and Raquel Medrano Clemente, co-founders of Liveable Cities Collective. We will talk about their vision for the future of cities, liveability, cultural evolution, human connection, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in liveability as choices? What do you think about cultural evolution? How can we create a community of changemakers? Trailer for episode 388 - interview with Maurice Berger and Raquel Medrano Clemente, co-founders of Liveable Cities Collective. We will talk about their vision for the future of cities, liveability, cultural evolution, human connection, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"My take on the future of cities that it's not the physical part that needs innovation ... what we hasn't figured out in the governance part."Are you interested in service-based governance? What do you think about governance innovation? How can we create more autonomous cities? Interview with Niklas Anzinger, Founder & CEO of Infinita City, General Partner of Infinita VC. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, difference between governance and government, autonomous cities, people voting with their feet, and many more. Niklas Anzinger is the Founder & CEO of Infinita City and General Partner at Infinita VC. Based in Próspera, Honduras, he is building a network of hubs for longevity biotech acceleration. Infinita hosts startup competitions (e.g. BioHub), events (e.g. the upcoming Infinite Games 2026) and works with policymakers on enabling legislation like Montana's recent SB 535 right-to-try law.Find out more about Niklas through these links:Niklas Anzinger on LinkedIn@NiklasAnzinger as Niklas Anzinger on X@niklasanzinger as Niklas Anzinger on InstagramInfinita City websiteInfinita City on LinkedIn@infinitacity as Infinita City on X@infinita.city as Infinita City on InstagramInfinita City on YoutubeInfinite Games 2026 websiteStranded Technologies Podcast on LinkedinConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.030 - Interview with Ville Sirviö about Estonia's e-governanceNo.090 - Interview with Matthew McCartney about the connection between cities and economicsNo.294 - Interview with Erick A. Brimen about Prospera HondurasNo.395R - The Honduran ZEDE law, from ideation to actionWhat was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter @WTF4Cities or on the wtf4cities.com website where the shownotes are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in service-based governance? What do you think about governance innovation? How can we create more autonomous cities? Trailer for episode 386 - interview with Niklas Anzinger, Founder & CEO of Infinita City, General Partner of Infinita VC. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, difference between governance and government, autonomous cities, people voting with their feet, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
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