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 in place and place-making? Summary of the article titled Place and Place-making in cities: A global perspective from 2010, by John Friedmann, published in the Planning Theory and Practice journal. This is a great preparation to our next interview with James Mant in episode 334 talking about placemaking as creating the streetscape from the building to the middle of the road. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the place and placemaking through interactions and citizen attachment. This article advocates for a collaborative approach to placemaking, emphasising the importance of local engagement.Find the article through this link.Abstract: Since the 1990s, interest in place (as opposed to space) has surged across a spectrum of social science disciplines including planning. But the empirical focus has been chiefly on cities along the Atlantic Rim even as vast new areas in Asia, Africa, and Latin America were undergoing accelerated urbanization. This essay outlines a planning perspective to global place-making in the face of fierce inter-city competition for footloose capital. The question of how a place can be defined, and what criteria might serve to delineate a place occupies the first part of this essay. The definition proposed encompasses both a physical/built environment at the neighborhood scale and the subjective feelings its inhabitants harbor towards each other as an emplaced community. Specific criteria are discussed, with brief illustrations from Taiwan and China. But the art of place-making has not informed planners of the swaths of the urban in the newly industrializing global regions of Asia and elsewhere. Their principal preoccupation has been with the branding of cities and the advanced infrastructure required by global capital. In the process, millions of ordinary folks have been displaced and their neighborhoods erased, as speed, movement, and power have been valued more than the fragile social infrastructure of place-based communities. The essay concludes with an argument that place-making is everyone's job, local residents as well as official planners, and that old places can be “taken back” neighborhood by neighborhood, through collaborative people-centered planning. Examples from Japan, China, and Canada are used to illustrate these propositions.Connected episodes you might be interested in:No.225R - Positioning place-making as a social process: A systematic literature reviewNo.226 - Interview with Bruce Marshall about placemakingNo.255R - Participation, co-creation, and public spaceYou 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 design and placemaking as creating the city? What do you think about changing our behaviour for better urban futures? How can we learn from the past but not being shackled by it? Trailer for episode 334 - interview with James Mant, CEO of Spero AI. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, AI for planners, placemaking, data in planning, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"[Resilience, sustainability and sovereignty] is building economies in cities and communities that have longevity."Are you interested in nuclear power and its effects on the economy? What do you think about economic longevity as resilience? How can we balance regulation and innovation? Interview with Kirsty Braybon, principal of Braybon Advisory. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, nuclear power and its legal background, regulatory theory, long-term economic incentives, and many more. Kirsty Braybon, Principal of Braybon Advisory, is a seasoned expert in nuclear, energy, resources, and government sectors. Formerly the inaugural Head of Legal at the Australian Radioactive Waste Agency, she shaped its foundation and advised on the AUKUS program. At the University of Adelaide, she lectures in nuclear law, leading a program focused on AUKUS submarines. With over a decade as a major projects lawyer, Kirsty rewrote South Australia's mining laws and worked in top law firms. She holds degrees from Flinders University, the University of Western Australia, and the University of Montpellier. An award-winning author, she advises Nuclear of Australia and serves on key boards.Find out more about Kirsty through these links:Kirsty Braybon on LinkedIn@KirstyBraybon as Kirsty Braybon on XBraybon Advisory on LinkedInNuclear a defining issue in the upcoming election - Kirsty Braybon on the SkyNews Kirsty Braybon at Nuclear for AustraliaKirsty Braybon at the Resource Law Network Connected episodes you might be interested in:No.313R - Nuclear power as foundation of a clean energy future: A reviewNo.314 - Interview with Andrew Vass about the financial parts of nuclear energyWhat 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 nuclear energy's role in a carbon-free future? Our summary today works with the article titled Investigating the potential of nuclear energy in achieving a carbon-free energy future from 2023, by Janis Krümins and Maris Klavins, published in the MDPI Energies journal. This is a great preparation to our next interview with Kirsty Braybon in episode 332 talking about nuclear energy and its regulatory framework. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see another option, nuclear energy, in the energy mix for a carbon-free solution. This article discusses the role of nuclear energy, particularly small modular reactors in achieving a carbon-free energy future.Find the article through this link.Abstract: This scientific paper discusses the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change. The proposed strategy is to reach net-zero emissions by transitioning to electric systems powered by low-carbon sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric power, and nuclear energy. However, the paper also highlights the challenges of this transition, including high costs and lack of infrastructure. The paper emphasizes the need for continued research and investment in renewable energy technology and infrastructure to overcome these challenges and achieve a sustainable energy system. Additionally, the use of nuclear energy raises concerns, such as nuclear waste and proliferation, and should be considered with its benefits and drawbacks. The study assesses the feasibility of nuclear energy development in Latvia, a country in Northern Europe, and finds that Latvia is a suitable location for nuclear power facilities due to potential energy independence, low-carbon energy production, reliability, and economic benefits. The study also discusses methods of calculating electricity generation and consumption, such as measuring MWh produced by power plants, and balancing supply and demand within the country. Furthermore, the study assesses the safety of nuclear reactors, generated waste, and options for nuclear waste recycling. The transition to a carbon-free energy system is ongoing and complex, requiring multiple strategies to accelerate the transition. While the paper proposes that nuclear energy could be a practical means of supporting and backing up electricity generated by renewables, it should be noted that there are still challenges to be addressed. Some of the results presented in the paper are still based on studies, and the post-treatment of waste needs to be further clarified.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.313R - Nuclear power as foundation of a clean energy future: A reviewNo.314 - Interview with Andrew Vass about nuclear power and its costsYou can find the transcript through this link.What wast 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 nuclear power and its effects on the economy? What do you think about economic longevity as resilience? How can we balance regulation and innovation? Trailer for episode 332 - interview with Kirsty Braybon, principal of Braybon Advisory. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, nuclear power and its legal background, regulatory theory, long-term economic incentives, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"There seems to be an innate optimism that you have to have as a planner. Why else would you come to a profession where you're trying to look forward?"Are you interested in the innate optimism planners have? What do you think about language as technology? How can we learn from the past for better urban futures? Interview with Thomas W. Sanchez, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, humans prevailing, planners' innate optimism, technology, and many more.Thomas W. Sanchez is a Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. He earned his PhD in City Planning from Georgia Tech. His research and teaching focus on cities, planning methods, technology, and transportation. His most recent books include Networks in the Knowledge Economy (with Denise Bedford) and Planning Knowledge and Research. His forthcoming book, AI for Urban Planning will be published by Routledge in 2025. Tom serves as the American Planning Association (APA) Education Committee Chair and as a member of APA's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foresight Community.Find out more about Tom through these links:Thomas W. Sanchez on LinkedInThomas W. Sanchez websiteThomas W. Sanchez at Texas A&M UniversityConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.006 - Interview with Daniel Prohasky about thinking in thousands years aheadNo.292 - Interview with Anthony Acciavatti about the role of water in citiesNo.328 - Interview with Howard Bloom about a very wide understanding of technologyNo.329R - Artificial intelligence and the local government: A five-decade scientometric analysis on the evolution, state-of-the-art, and emerging trendsWhat 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
Our summary today works with the article titled Artificial intelligence and the local government: A five-decade scientometric analysis on the evolution, state-of-the-art, and emerging trends from 2024, by Tan Yigitcanlar, Sajani Senadheera, Raveena Marasinghe, Simon Elias Bibri, Thomas Sanchez, Federico Cugurullo, and Renee Sieber, published in the Cities journal. This is a great preparation to our next interview with Thomas Sanchez in episode 330 talking about urban and technological evolution. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how AI is utilised in urban governance. This article investigates the evolution, current state and emerging trends of AI in local governments across 5 decades.Find the article through this link.Abstract: In recent years, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has significantly impacted various sectors, including public governance at the local level. However, there exists a limited understanding of the overarching narrative surrounding the adoption of AI in local governments and its future. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution, current state-of-the-art, and emerging trends in the adoption of AI in local government. A comprehensive scientometric analysis was conducted on a dataset comprising 7112 relevant literature records retrieved from the Scopus database in October 2023, spanning over the last five decades. The study findings revealed the following key insights: (a) exponential technological advancements over the last decades ushered in an era of AI adoption by local governments; (b) the primary purposes of AI adoption in local governments include decision support, automation, prediction, and service delivery; (c) the main areas of AI adoption in local governments encompass planning, analytics, security, surveillance, energy, and modelling; and (d) under-researched but critical research areas include ethics of and public participation in AI adoption in local governments. This study informs research, policy, and practice by offering a comprehensive understanding of the literature on AI applications in local governments, providing valuable insights for stakeholders and decision-makers.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.259R - Lessons from nine urban areas using data to drive local sustainable developmentNo.304 - Interview with Nick Bray about agentic AIsYou 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 the innate optimism planners have? What do you think about language as technology? How can we learn from the past for better urban futures? Trailer for episode 330 - interview with Thomas W. Sanchez, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, humans prevailing, planners' innate optimism, technology, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"So that audacity to reach for the skies has been built into us ever since life reached the land."Are you interested in technological innovation like writing? What do you think about cities as the guiding light for humanity? How can we utilise technology while still planning with community in mind?Interview with Howard Bloom, author and founder of the Howard Bloom Institute. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, blinding humanity, human and urban evolution, space exploration, and many more. Howard Bloom, dubbed the Einstein and Freud of the 21st century by Channel 4 TV, is an author of eight books, including The Lucifer Principle. His book Global Brain sparked a symposium by the Secretary of Defense's office, with attendees from DARPA, MIT, and IBM. Bloom's work spans The Washington Post, Wired, and Scientific American. Initially a microbiologist and physicist, he explored mass behaviour—from quarks to humans. He champions omnology, a science of the panoramic, weaving together all disciplines to see the universe's grand patterns. In the 1970s-80s, he ran a top music PR firm, boosting stars like Michael Jackson and Prince, before returning to science in 1988. He's since lectured across twelve scientific fields, co-founded the Asian Space Technology Summit, and inspired the Howard Bloom Institute in 2021.Find out more about Howard through these links:Howard Bloom websiteHoward Bloom on Wikipedia@HowardxBloom as Howard Bloom on X@howlbloom as Howard Bloom on InstagramHoward Bloom Institute website@howard_bloom_institute as Howard Bloom Institute on InstagramConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.288 - Interview with Dan Hill about cities as knotsNo.304 - Interview with Nick Bray about AINo.317R - Economic and social impacts of public transport investmentsNo.327RWhat 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 urban evolution across time? Our summary today works with the article titled Cities through the ages: One thing or many? from 2019, by Michael E. Smith and José Lobo, published in the Frontiers in Digital Humanities journal. This is a great preparation to our next interview with Howard Bloom in episode 328 talking about urban evolution from the bacteria to space exploration. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the nature of cities throughout the ages. This article investigates cities as energised crowing, also known as one thing, and many things, such as political sites and economic environments.Find the article through this link.Abstract: The variability among cities, from the ancient world to the present, can be organized usefully in two ways. First, a focus on the dominant urban activities and processes leads to the recognition of two basic urban types: economic cities and political cities. Most cities today are economic cities in which growth proceeds through agglomeration processes. By contrast, most cities in the ancient world (and some today) are political cities, in which power and administration play a major role in structuring cities and generating change. Second, an alternative focus on processes of social interaction within the urban built environment leads to the recognition that there is only one kind of settlement that includes all cities—economic and political; past and present. Cities in this sense are settings for “energized crowding.” Processes of interaction generate both economic and political growth, and they produce and influence the built forms and social characteristics of all cities. Our model helps scholars distinguish the unique from the universal traits of cities today and in the past.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.090 - Interview with Professor Matthew McCartney about the economic side of citiesNo.318 - Interview with Mark Lutter about different economics across the world in citiesYou 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 technological innovation like writing? What do you think about cities as the guiding light for humanity? How can we utilise technology while still planning with community in mind?Trailer for episode 328 - interview with Howard Bloom, author and founder of the Howard Bloom Institute. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, blinding humanity, human and urban evolution, space exploration, and many more.Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"The city is a collision of people and ideas."Are you interested in the benefits of investing in public transport? What do you think about design by democracy? How can we create heterogenous cities with infrastructure as the backbone? Interview with Sarah Bridges, Technical Director at Aurecon and Director of Precinct Planning within the AJM Joint Venture. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, public transport, removing bad solutions, collision of ideas, and many more. Sarah Bridges is an accomplished project director with urban design and architectural background, specialising in complex urban projects that prioritise sustainability and community connectivity. As Technical Director at Aurecon and Director of Precinct Planning within the AJM Joint Venture, she plays a pivotal role in shaping city infrastructure and urban renewal projects across Victoria. With expertise in place-based outcomes, she leads multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-profile public and private projects from business case development through to implementation. Passionate about empowering communities, Sarah is dedicated to designing urban environments that support low-carbon living and enhance people's ability to connect with their surroundings.Find out more about Sarah through these links:Sarah Bridges on LinkedInAurecon websiteAurecon on LinkedInConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.206 - Interview with Amir Hussain about keeping character and welcome everyoneNo.214 - Interview with Andrew Vass about cost vs valueNo.325R - Economic and social impacts of public transport investmentsWhat 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 benefits of public transport? Summary of the book chapter titled Economic and social impacts of public transport investments: A scoping literature review from 2023, by Paulo Anciaes and Jacob Albin Korem Alhassan, part of the Advances in Transport Policy and Planning book, published by Elsevier.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Sarah Bridges in episode 326 talking about public transport investments as one of the biggest opportunities for urban futures. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the real benefits of public transport for the urban context. This chapter explores the effects of investments and disinvestments in public transport across the urban fabric.Find the chapter through this link.Abstract: This chapter reviews the wider economic, social, and health impacts of investments and disinvestments in public transport. Most studies on economic impacts have analysed the case of high-speed rail, with fewer analysing conventional intercity railways or urban public transport systems. The economic impacts of high-speed rail tend to be positive, although they are not equally distributed among the regions served. Investments in public transport have also been linked to an increase in housing prices and gentrification. Research on social and health impacts of public transport is limited and fragmented. Studies have found that the accessibility increase provided by new public transport connections contributes to increased participation in social activities. At the same time, public transport infrastructure can disconnect communities on opposite sides of the infrastructure. Research on public transport disinvestment is limited. The few available studies have shown that disinvestment is linked to several negative health and social impacts. Insufficient consideration of equity aspects also limits our understanding of the complexity of the full economic and social effects of investments and disinvestments in transport.Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.194 - Interview with Oliver Stoltz about transport planning No.269R - The use of the smart technology for creating an inclusive urban public spaceYou can find the transcript through this link.What wast 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 benefits of investing in public transport? What do you think about design by democracy? How can we create heterogenous cities with infrastructure as the backbone? Trailer for episode 326 - interview with Sarah Bridges, Technical Director at Aurecon and Director of Precinct Planning within the AJM Joint Venture. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, public transport, removing bad solutions, collision of ideas, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"What are uses of land that the market won't provide but are still worthwhile?"Are you interested in the urban aspects not supported by market, like parks and beauty? What do you think about AI evolution? How can we retrofit the urban fabric for better futures? Interview with Fin Moorhouse, advanced AI researcher at Forethought. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, AI and its progress, urban retrofit, job automation, beauty as urban externality, and many more. Fin Moorhouse is a researcher at Forethought focused on advanced AI, previously working at Longview Philanthropy and Oxford's Future of Humanity Institute. He co-hosts Hear This Idea, a podcast exploring solutions to pressing global problems. A former Roots of Progress writing fellow, he has contributed to EA initiatives, UN policy discussions, and research on space governance. He studied philosophy at Cambridge.Find out more about Finn through these links:finmoorhouse website@finmoorhouse as Fin Moorhouse on XHear this idea podcast, co-hosted by Fin MoorhouseFin Moorhouse on GoodreadsRoots of Progress websiteOrder Without Design - book by Alain Bertaud, recommended by Fin MoorhouseSoonish - book by Kelly Weinersmith and Zach Weinersmith, recommended by Fin MoorhouseThe Death and Life of Great American Cities - book by Jane Jacobs, recommended by Fin MoorhouseForethought websiteConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.126 - Interview with Corey Gray about beautyNo.300 - Panel conversation on urban food production with Adam Dorr, Nadun Hennayaka, and Simon BurtNo.304 - Interview with Nick Bray about AI agentsNo.314 - Interview with Andrew Vass about how repeated construction decreases costsNo.323R - Planning ahead for better neighborhood: Long run evidence from TanzaniaWhat 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 urban aspects not supported by market, like parks and beauty? What do you think about AI evolution? How can we retrofit the urban fabric for better futures? Trailer for episode 324 - interview with Fin Moorhouse, advanced AI researcher at Forethought. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, AI and its progress, urban retrofit, job automation, beauty as urban externality, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"The whole interaction between the developing and developed cities and countries are really dynamic."Are you interested in the difference between cities in the developing and developed countries? What do you think about solutions for the right problems? How can we find the root causes? Interview with Mat Santamouris, Scientia Professor at the University of New South Whales. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, developed and developing countries, finding the root causes, migration, climate change, and many more. Prof. Mat Santamouris is a global leader in energy and building physics, specialising in sustainable architecture and urban heat island mitigation. He holds the Anita Lawrence Chair in High Performance Architecture at UNSW, Australia. With over 15 books and 450 scientific publications, his research advances energy efficiency, renewable energy, and smart building materials. He has led international projects shaping policy and building standards worldwide. As an advisor to governments and global organisations, he influences energy policy and climate strategies. Recognised with multiple awards, his work enhances urban resilience and sustainability in response to climate change.Find out more about Mat through these links:Mat Santamouris on LinkedInMat Santamouris on Google ScholarMat Santamouris at UNSWConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.244 - Interview with Joe Glesta about urban heat island resilienceNo.246 - Interview with Boyd Cohen about the experience of living in a developing countryNo.256 - Interview with Marcus Foth about scientific solutions already existingNo.321R - Synergies and exacerbations— effects of warmer weather and climate changeWhat 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 effects of urban heat islands? Summary of the book chapter titled Synergies and exacerbations – effects of warmer weather and climate change from 2023, by Hassan Saeed Khan, Riccardo Paolini, and Matthaios Santamouris, as part of the Urban Climate Change and Heat Islands book, published by Elsevier.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Mat Santamouris in episode 322 talking about the urban heat island effect, its causes and potential solutions. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the complex interplay between urban overheating, heatwaves and weather conditions. This chapter aims to understand the synergies between these phenomena and their implications for urban communities.Find the chapter through this link.Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.243R - Integrative approaches to urban resilience No.244 - Interview with Joe Glesta about urban heat islandsYou 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 the difference between cities in the developing and developed countries? What do you think about solutions for the right problems? How can we find the root causes? Trailer for episode 322 - interview with Mat Santamouris, Scientia Professor at the University of New South Whales. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, developed and developing countries, finding the root causes, migration, climate change, and many more.Find out more in the episodeEpisode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"We live in an age where the expansion of possibility is actually greater than the latency of restrain."Are you interested in reinventing ourselves for better futures? What do you think about light cities? How can we create conscious urban evolution? Interview with Glenn Drew, CEO of SQUIZZ.COM, TOTECS and Connected Built. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, intelligent evolution, light cities, AI, retrofitting, and many more.Glenn Drew is the CEO of SQUIZZ.com, TOTECS, and Connected Built. A visionary leader, he fosters innovation and empowers teams to achieve strategic success. Glenn founded his first eCommerce technology company, TOTECS, in 2000 while studying Computer Science at Melbourne University. Since 2011, he has led the development of SQUIZZ.com, supporting businesses across wholesale, retail, and manufacturing. With Connected Built, he aims to integrate industry professionals and partners to streamline the built environment, transitioning smart cities to light cities, infrastructure, and next-generation digital ecosystems through seamless connectivity and collaboration.Find out more about Glenn through these links:Glenn Drew on LinkedInSQUIZZ.com websiteSQUIZZ.com on LinkedInTOTECS websiteTOTECS on LinkedIn@totecs_ as TOTECS on Xtotecsdotcom as TOTECS on InstagramTOTECS on YouTubeConnected Built websiteConnected Built on LinkedInconnectedbuiltdotcom as Connected Built on InstagramConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.228 - Interview with Dominique Hes about the city trapping in peopleNo.298 - Interview with Carina Gormley about the need for failure in governanceNo.312 - Interview with Gilbert Rochecouste about how the city is for funNo.219R - Intelligent urbanism with artificial intelligence in shaping tomorrow's smart citiesWhat 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 artificial intelligence advancing cities? Summary of the article titled Intelligent urbanism with artificial intelligence in shaping tomorrow's smart cities: current developments,, trends, and future directions from 2023, by Zhenjun Yan, Ling Jiang, Xiaoli Huang, Lifang Zhang, and Xinxin Zhou, published in the Journal of Cloud Computing.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Glenn Drew in episode 320 talking about artificial intelligence as a tool. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how to integrate AI into the urban fabric. This article highlights AI's potential to improve urban resilience, sustainability and overall quality of life, not without challenges.Find the article through this link.Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.303 - Agentic AI No.304 - Interview with Nick Bray about agentic AIsYou 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 reinventing ourselves for better futures? What do you think about light cities? How can we create conscious urban evolution? Trailer for episode 320 - interview with Glenn Drew, CEO of SQUIZZ.COM, TOTECS and Connected Built. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, intelligent evolution, light cities, AI, retrofitting, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"One of the biggest strengths is the past of cities."Are you interested in the connection of economics and cities? What do you think about superstar cities and their agglomeration? How can we utilise cities' pasts as their strengths? Interview with Mark Lutter, Founder and Executive Director of the Charter Cities Institute. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, agglomeration in superstar cities, innovation and technology, the urban history, and many more. Mark Lutter is the Founder and Executive Director of the Charter Cities Institute, a non-profit focused on building the ecosystem for charter cities, and the Founder and CEO of Braavos Cities, a charter city development firm. He earned a PhD in economics from George Mason University and has been featured in the New Yorker, Financial Times, and the Atlantic. Charter cities, innovative urban projects with superior legal systems, aim to revolutionize governance in the 21st century. Mark has worked globally on their development, engaging in fundraising, strategy, and planning to attract investment and drive economic growth.Find out more about Mark through these links:Mark Lutter on LinkedInMark Lutter website@MarkLutter as Mark Lutter on XCharter Cities Institute websiteCharter Cities Institute on LinkedIn@CCIdotCity as Charter Cities Institute on X@ccidotcity as Charter Cities Institute on InstagramCharter Cities PodcastBraavos Cities websiteConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.090 - Interview with Professor Matthew McCartney about the connection between economy and citiesNo.294 - Interview with Erick A. Brimen about new city building and governance structureNo.317RWhat 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 charter cities? Summary of the article titled Building resilient cities: The role of charter cities in promoting resilient urban development from 2024, by Eva Klaus and the Charter Cities Institute, published on the Charter Cities Institute website.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Mark Lutter, the founder and executive director of Charter Cities Institute in episode 318 talking about charter cities and their role in urban futures. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how the charter cities concept can enhance urban resilience. This article introduces charter cities as new cities with new rules and the opportunities within climate adaptation and sustainable growth.Find the article through this link.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.074R - Resilient urban planning: major principles and criteriaNo.090 - Interview with Professor Matthew McCartney about the connection between economics and citiesYou 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 the connection of economics and cities? What do you think about superstar cities and their agglomeration? How can we utilise cities' pasts as their strengths? Trailer for episode 318 - interview with Mark Lutter, Founder and Executive Director of the Charter Cities Institute. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, agglomeration in superstar cities, innovation and technology, the urban history, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"Urban mining is a necessity for future cities!"Are you interested in urban mining? What do you think about differentiating reuse, recycling and regeneration? How can we make our material use more efficient? Interview with Don Weatherbee, CEO of RegenX Tech. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, urban mining, the city as the best and worst of us, regeneration, and many more. Don Weatherbee, CEO of Regenx Tech, is a visionary in the clean tech sector, driving innovation in sustainable precious metal recovery. Under his leadership, RegenX Tech has transitioned from pilot projects to full-scale operations, including the opening of the flagship facility in Greeneville, Tennessee. Don's collaborative approach and strategic partnerships, such as with Davis Recycling, have propelled RegenX as a leader in environmentally friendly extraction of platinum and palladium. A passionate advocate for the circular economy, Don champions recycling innovation and sustainable practices in the mining industry. His work exemplifies a commitment to reducing environmental impact, advancing industry ESG standards, and shaping a greener future.Find out more about Don through these links:Don Weatherbee on LinkedInRegenX websiteRegenX on LinkedIn@regenx.tech as RegenX on InstagramConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.232 - Interview with Katie Skillington about urban miningNo.296 - Interview with Sally Capp about never to waste a good crisisNo.315R - Potential and relevance of urban mining in the context of sustainable citiesWhat 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 urban mining? Summary of the article titled Potential and relevance of urban mining in the context of sustainable cities from 2017, by Rachna Arora, Katharina Paterok, Abhijit Banerjee, and Manjeet Singh Saluja, published in the IIMB Management Review journal.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Don Weatherbee in episode 316 talking about urban mining and the differences between recycling, reuse and regeneration. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the urban mining concept for better urban futures. This article introduces urban mining, the waste streams it can utilise, and some city planning initiatives utilising this concept.Find the article through this link.Abstract: The objective of urban mining is the safeguarding of the environment and the promotion of resource conservation through reuse, recycling, and recovery of secondary resources from waste. Urban mining maximises the resource and economic value of the waste streams generated in urban spaces and will be a significant concept in the planning and designing of sustainable cities, making the process consistent with the sustainable development goals. This review article brings out comprehensive information on urban mining as a concept and its relevance to the Indian and international context as a source of secondary raw material.Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.232 - Interview with Kate Skillington about urban mining No.265R - Regeneration towards suitabilityYou 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 urban mining? What do you think about differentiating reuse, recycling and regeneration? How can we make our material use more efficient? Trailer for episode 316 - interview with Don Weatherbee, CEO of RegenX Tech. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, urban mining, the city as the best and worst of us, regeneration, and many more.Find out more in the episodeEpisode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"I think people underestimate human ingenuity."Are you interested in nuclear energy? What do you think about Australia's leading research agency's investigation on nuclear energy? How can we restructure our understanding on financing nuclear energy? Interview with Andrew Vass, a financial market expert. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, nuclear energy, 2nd and 3rd rate consequences, financial decisions for clean energy, and many more. Andrew Vass is a financial markets expert with experience across equities, cross-asset derivatives, and private capital markets. Andrew is passionate about technology and data. He put both of those into practice by diving into the nuclear rabbit hole after hearing a former client discuss why he had launched a nuclear dedicated hedge fund. His views do not represent his current employer, and are expressed in a personal capacity.Find out more about Andrew through these links:@vass_and_ as Andrew Vass on XHinkley Point C - report by Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy on one of the nuclear projects Andrew was talking aboutUnderstanding the Costs of Integrating Energy Resources in PJM: Analyzing Full-Cycle Levelized Costs of Electricity by EPSAConnecting episodes you might be interested in: No.212 - Interview with Jonathan Reichental about abundant energy No.264 - Interview with Boyd Cohen about abundance capitalism No.313R - What is nuclear energy?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 nuclear power for clean energy? Summary of the articles titled What is nuclear energy, What about the waste, and Safety, security and safeguards from 2024, fact sheets produced by Nuclear for Australia.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Andrew Vass in episode 314 talking about the misconceptions of nuclear energy and its finances.Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see whether nuclear power can be a foundation for a clean energy future. These reports aim to dispel misconceptions about nuclear energy to address energy and climate challenges.Find the reports through this link.Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.212 - Interview with Jonathan Reichental about abundant energy opportunities No.246 - Interview with Boyd Cohen about abundance capitalismYou 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 nuclear energy? What do you think about Australia's leading research agency's investigation on nuclear energy? How can we restructure our understanding on financing nuclear energy? Trailer for episode 314 - interview with Andrew Vass, a financial market expert. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, nuclear energy, 2nd and 3rd rate consequences, financial decisions for clean energy, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"I think we've become smaller, we've become less human as consumers, compared to active participants."Are you interested in regenerative placemaking? What do you think about urban participation and its consequences? How can we reimagine our place in cities to create more beautiful urban environments?Interview with Gilbert Rochecouste, Founder and Managing Director of Village Well. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, resilience and regeneration, enjoying cities, urban evolution, and many more.Gilbert Rochecouste is a globally recognised leader in placemaking, known for creating vibrant, resilient, and people-centred destinations. Over 25 years, he has worked with 1,000+ cities, towns, universities, developers, and governments to integrate commerce, culture, community, and ecology. As Founder and Managing Director of Village Well, Australia's premier placemaking consultancy, he leads a multidisciplinary team shaping socially, culturally, and commercially successful places. A sought-after speaker and facilitator, he has influenced Melbourne's liveability and global city-making. He co-founded the EPOCH Institute and has served on several boards. In 2015, he launched Australia's first Place Lab and Place School.Find out more about Gilbert through these links:Gilbert Rochecouste on LinkedInGilbert Rochecouste website@gil_placemaker as Gilbert Rochecouste on XVillage Well websiteVillage Well on LinkedInvillage.well as Village Well on InstagramEPOCH Institute websiteEPOCH Institute on LinkedInepochinstitute as EPOCH Institute on InstagramPlacemaking & Generating Aliveness through Place - Gilbert Rochecouste on The Embodied Life PodcastConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.290 - Interview with Jen Borrero about affordable housingNo.292 - Interview with Anthony Acciavatti about hallucinating on the problemsNo.300 - Panel conversation about Urban Food ProductionNo.311R - Nature Positive: Guidelines for the transition in citiesWhat 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 transitioning cities to be nature positive? Summary of the report titled Nature Positive: Guidelines for the transition in cities from 2024, by Javier García Olivares, Cristina Gómez Garcia-Reyes and Nicole Merlo as lead authors, published on the World Economic Forum website.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Gilbert Rochecouste in episode 312 talking about the need for nature positive approaches and financing. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the urban economic risks from biodiversity loss. This report introduces guidelines for cities to become nature positive and taking definitive and positive actions while carefully monitoring progress.Find the report through this link.Connected episodes you might be interested in:No.189R - Biourbanism (book summary)No.190 - Interview with Adrian McGregor about cities being part of natureYou 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 regenerative placemaking? What do you think about urban participation and its consequences? How can we reimagine our place in cities to create more beautiful urban environments? Trailer for episode 312 - interview with Gilbert Rochecouste, Founder and Managing Director of Village Well. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, resilience and regeneration, enjoying cities, urban evolution, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"Cities can be the places that were how we do our metabolism as a spieces." Are you interested in ecological design? What do you think about bioregions in our planning? How can we avoid defuturing? Interview with Dr Stuart Cowan, Executive Director at Buckminster Fuller Institute. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, futuring and protopia, Spaceship Earth, reciprocity, experimentation, and many more. Dr. Stuart Cowan is the Executive Director of the Buckminster Fuller Institute, advancing design science for systems change. He leads initiatives like the BFI Design Lab, fostering innovation to address critical planetary challenges. With 25 years' experience in regenerative design, finance, and systems, he co-founded Autopoiesis LLC, regenerating communities, ecosystems, and organizations. Stuart was the founding convener of the Regenerative Communities Network, supporting 15 bioregions, and has served as Chief Scientist at the Smart Cities Council. Co-author of Ecological Design, he earned a PhD in Applied Mathematics from UC Berkeley, focusing on Complex Systems and Ecological Economics.Find out more about Stuart through these links:Stuart Cowan on LinkedIn Stuart Cowan websiteBuckminster Fuller Institute websiteBuckminster Fuller Institute on LinkedInBuckminster Fuller Institute on YoutubeEcological design - book by Stuart Cowan and Sim Van der RynOperating manual for a Spaceship Earth - book by Buckminster FullerChildren of a modest star - book by Jonathan S. Blake and Nils GilmanDesign for the pluriverse - book by Arturo EscobarDesigning from an abundance perspective - Stuart Cowan on the Ma Earth programConnecting episodes you might be interested in:No.101R - What we owe the future? (book summary)No.186 - Interview with Tom Bosschaert about Orchid CityNo.220 - Interview with Simon Burt about the importance of bees No.309R - Ecological urban planning and 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.Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in ecological design? Summary of the article titled Ecological urban planning and design: A systematic literature review from 2019, by Angela Heymans, Jessica Breadsell, Gregory M. Morrison, Joshua J. Byrne, and Christine Eon, published in the MDPI Sustainability journal.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Dr Stuart Cowan in episode 310 talking about bioregions and ecological design. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how an ecologically based urban planning and design paradigm could create a more harmonious relationship. This article investigates the literature trends and presents seven underpinning main themes in the theory.Find the article through this link.Abstract: Urbanization is a defining feature of the modern age, yet the current model of urban development profoundly alters the natural environment, often reducing biodiversity and ultimately threatening human wellbeing. An ecologically based urban planning and design paradigm should consider a more harmonious relationship. Through a systematic literature review of 57 papers, this research identified relevant concepts and theories that could underpin this new paradigm. It revealed a noticeable increase in academic interest in this subject since 2013 and the development of concepts and theories that reflect a more holistic socio-ecological systems approach to urban planning and design based on a transdisciplinary integration and synthesis of research. Seven main themes underpin the academic literature: ecosystem services, socio-ecological systems, resilience, biodiversity, landscape, green infrastructure, as well as integrated and holistic approaches. Six of these can be organised into either a sustainability stream or a spatial stream, representing the foundations of a potential new ecological urban planning and design paradigm that applies sustainability-related concepts in a spatial setting. The final theme, integrated and holistic, includes concepts that reflect the fundamental characteristics of this new paradigm, which can be termed ‘urban consonance'.Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.186 - Interview with Tom Bosschaert about nature in cities No.189R - Biourbanism (book summary) No.190 - Interview with Adrian McGregor about biourbanismYou 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 ecological design? What do you think about bioregions in our planning? How can we avoid defuturing? Trailer for episode 310 - interview with Dr Stuart Cowan, Executive Director at Buckminster Fuller Institute. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, futuring and protopia, Spaceship Earth, reciprocity, experimentation, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"Cities are part of the extended phenotype for the kind of knowledge that is produced by human civilisation."Are you interested in how quantum physics is influencing the future of cities? What do you think about the connection between knowledge and urban evolution? How can we create better urban environments for knowledge creation? Interview with Chiara Marletto, Scientific Researcher at University of Oxford. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, the effects of scientific evolution, the best environment for knowledge creation, and many more as a special edition part of the Podcasthon 2025. Chiara Marletto is a Research Fellow at Wolfson College and the Physics Department, University of Oxford. She holds degrees from Oxford and the University of Turin. Her research focuses on the foundations of physics, spanning quantum information theory, condensed matter physics, quantum biology, and thermodynamics. Chiara has pioneered a novel approach to physics, constructor theory and has applied it to fundamental questions of control, causation and the nature of information in physics. Her work has also explored how essential features of living systems, such as self-reproduction and evolution, align with fundamental physical laws. Recently she has discovered a new method to test quantum effects in gravity, based on constructor-theoretic ideas. She is the author of The Science of Can and Can't, her first trade book.This is also a special episode to be part of Podcasthon 2025 - a globally coordinated effort for podcasts to highlight a charity of their choice. WTF4Cities is happy to participate in this 3rd edition of the Podcasthon with thousands of podcasts worldwide. The charity where you can support Chiara and her research is through Wolfson College at the University of Oxford with New Frontiers reference. Donations will be held in a dedicated fund, controlled by Chiara, and she'll be able to keep donors updated on the progress of her research and what their generosity has made possible. So if you want to help the research move ahead: Name: Wolfson College, University of Oxford Reference: New FrontiersLearn more about Chiara through these links: Chiara Marletto on LinkedIn Chiara Marletto website Chiara Marletto at Wolfson College Chiara Marletto on Wikipedia Chiara Marletto on Google Scholar Quantum New Frontiers Hub in Wolfson college The Science of Can and Can't - book by Chiara Marletto The Beginning of Infinity - book by David Deutsch The Fabric of Reality - book by David DeutschConnecting episodes you might be interested in: No.156 - Interview with Fanni Melles about urban conscious evolution No.180 - Interview with Ben Vass about knowledge creation No.272 - Interview with Frank Elavsky about philosophy No.307R - The Science of Can and Can't (book summary)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.Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
Are you interested in what is possible based on physics? Summary of the book titled The Science of Can and Can't – A physicist's journey through the land of counterfactuals from 2021, by Chiara Marletto, published by Penguin.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Chiara Marletto in episode 308 talking about the connection of physics and the future of cities, as part of the Podcasthon 2025 global event.Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see what possibilities are present according to physics. This book introduces constructor theory, a shift in physics from describing what does happen to what can or can't happen.Find the book through this link.Book description: A luminous guide to how the radical new science of counterfactuals can reveal the full scope of our universe. There is a vast class of properties, which science has so far neglected, that relate not only to what is true – the actual – but to what could be true: the counterfactual. This is the science of can and can't. A pioneer in the field, Chiara Marletto explores the extraordinary promise that this revolutionary approach holds for confronting existing technological challenges, from delivering next-generation processors to designing AI. But by contemplating the possible as well as the actual, Marletto goes deeper still, showing how counterfactuals can break down barriers to knowledge and form a more complete, abundant and rewarding picture of the universe itself.Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.180 - Interview with Ben Vass about the opportunities with physics No.222 - Interview with Adam Dorr about knowledge being applied knowledgeYou 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 how quantum physics is influencing the future of cities? What do you think about the connection between knowledge and urban evolution? How can we create better urban environments for knowledge creation? Trailer for episode 308 - interview with Chiara Marletto, Scientific Researcher at University of Oxford. We will talk about her vision for the future of cities, the effects of scientific evolution, the best environment for knowledge creation, and many more as a special edition part of the Podcasthon 2025. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"The decarbonisation efforts really need to boil down to dollars."Are you interested in embodied carbon accounting? What do you think about choosing lower emission building materials? How can we make business sense for embodied carbon? Interview with Tom Petty, co-founder of CarbonTrace. We talk about his vision for the future of cities, making business sense of embodied carbon, the difference between infill and brownfield developments, and many more. Tom Petty is a cleantech innovator dedicated to reducing embodied carbon in residential construction—one of the most significant challenges of our time. With a Masters in Architecture and a career shift to building architectural homes, Tom brings a rare blend of design expertise, hands-on construction knowledge, and a data-driven mindset to the table. Passionate about solving complex, interconnected problems, Tom thrives on dismantling challenges to uncover innovative solutions and better approaches. His work is deeply personal, driven by a commitment to creating a sustainable future for his two children and for generations to come. Tom's journey has taken him from architecture to the “dark side” of building, and now to the forefront of cleantech startups, where he combines his practical and theoretical insights to lead transformative change in the construction industry. His mission is clear: to make a tangible difference in reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment.Find out more about Tom through these links: Tom Petty on LinkedIn CarbonTrace website CarbonTrace on LinkedIn Grenville Architectural Construction website - company by Tom Petty Residential Embodied Carbon - presentation by Tom Petty (slides from MBAV) MECLA Spotlight on Designing out Carbon - blogpost with video on Tom Petty's presentation Residential Embodied Carbon: Designing low-carbon at scale - presentation by Tom Petty (slides from MECLA)Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.192 - Interview with Alison Scotland from ASBECNo.196 - Interview with Alan Pears about Scope 1-2-3 emissionsNo.280 - Interview with Hudson Worsley from MECLANo.305R - Measuring embodied carbon in the residential sector: Barriers and opportunitiesWhat 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 embodied carbon accounting? Summary of the white paper titled Measuring embodied carbon in the residential sector: Barriers and opportunities from 2024, by Tom Petty, published on the CarbonTrace website.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Tom Petty in episode 306 talking about embodied carbon and its accounting. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the opportunities for the building industry regarding embodied carbon emissions. This white paper investigates different embodied carbon measuring methods and defines one for the residential sector.Find the white paper through this link.Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.196 - Interview with Alan Pears about Scope 1-2-3 emissions No.231R - A review of existing policy for reducing embodied energy and greenhouse gas emissions of buildings No.280 - Interview with Hudson Worsley about embodied carbonYou 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 embodied carbon accounting? What do you think about choosing lower emission building materials? How can we make business sense for embodied carbon? Trailer for episode 306 - interview with Tom Petty, co-founder of CarbonTrace. We talk about his vision for the future of cities, making business sense of embodied carbon, the difference between infill and brownfield developments, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"The plan needs to accommodate constant change, because it's constantly adapting."Are you interested in different levels of AI agents assisting human decision-making? What do you think about open architecture technological systems? How can we democratise technology? Interview with Nick Bray, VP of Global Defence and Security at VANTIQ. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, AI levels, technology, optimism, smartness, naming lazyness, and many more. Nick Bray joined VANTIQ in March 2023 from PwC's Aerospace & Defence division, following VANTIQ's recognition as the top contender among over 1,000 international tech companies in PwC's accelerator programme. Prior to joining VANTIQ, Nick served as a Non-Executive Director for a UK drone company and then moved to a prominent European technology and services provider, advising on National Security and cyber operations. His career also includes a role at a Cambridge-based digital twin company specializing in atmospheric modelling. Nick's distinguished military background includes serving in the Royal Air Force Regiment, where he commanded the RAF's 6,000-strong specialist ground combat and security forces and led the UK MOD's International Policy & Plans Division. Although he left regular service in 2017, he continues to contribute as a Reservist in the RAF's innovation organisation. Nick holds Master's Degrees in Military Strategy & Technology from King's College London and International Relations & Diplomacy from the London School of Economics. He was awarded the CBE by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Residing on the UK's south coast, Nick enjoys walking his two family poodles, surfing, open water swimming, and running.Find out more about Nick through these links: Nick Bray on LinkedIn Vantiq website Vantiq on LinkedIn @Vantiq as Vantiq on X Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.015 - Interview with Luke Housego about architectural systemsNo.222 - Interview with Adam Dorr about emerging technologiesNo.274 - Interview with Richard Gill about changeNo.303R - Agentic AIWhat 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 urban progress with artificial intelligence? Summary of the white paper titled Agentic AI: The future is now from 2025, by VANTIQ.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Nick Bray in episode 304 talking about how open architecture systems and artificial intelligence are changing our lives. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see the rise of agentic AIs and their potential to revolutionise industries. This white paper introduces AI applications for healthcare, smart cities, public safety and other sectors to create better future for cities.Find the white paper through this link.Connecting episodes: No.077R - Steering into the Skid – Arbitraging human and artificial intelligences to augment the design process No.247R - Data-driven urban management: Mapping the landscape No.320 - Interview with Glenn Drew about AI being a tool instead of the aimYou can find the transcript through this link.What wast 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 long term planning for better neighbourhoods? Our summary today works with the article titled Planning ahead for better neighborhoods: Long run evidence from Tanzania from 2017, by Guy Michaels, Dzhamilya Nigmatulina, Ferdinand Rauch, Tanner Regan, Neeraj Baruah, and Amanda Dahlstrand-Rudin, published by the Institute of Labor Economics. This is a great preparation to our next interview with Fin Moorhouse in episode 324 talking about the need for long term planning and this specific research. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see long-term effects of earlier urban programs and what we can learn from them. This research proves that proactive urban planning and infrastructure development can have lasting positive effects.Find the article through this link.Abstract: What are the long run consequences of planning and providing basic infrastructure in neighborhoods, where people build their own homes? We study “Sites and Services” projects implemented in seven Tanzanian cities during the 1970s and 1980s, half of which provided infrastructure in previously unpopulated areas (de novo neighborhoods), while the other half upgraded squatter settlements. Using satellite images and surveys from the 2010s, we find that de novo neighborhoods developed better housing than adjacent residential areas (control areas) that were also initially unpopulated. Specifically, de novo neighborhood are more orderly and their buildings have larger footprint areas and are more likely to have multiple stories, as well as connections to electricity and water, basic sanitation and access to roads. And though de novo neighborhoods generally attracted better educated residents than control areas, the educational difference is too small to account for the large difference in residential quality that we find. While we have no natural counterfactual for the upgrading areas, descriptive evidence suggests that they are if anything worse than the control areas.Connecting episodes you might be interested in: No.109R - How much sustainability substance is in urban visions? No.265R - Regeneration towards suitabilityYou can find the transcript through this link.What wast 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 different levels of AI agents assisting human decision-making? What do you think about open architecture technological systems? How can we democratise technology? Trailer for episode 304 - interview with Nick Bray, VP of Global Defence and Security at VANTIQ. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, AI levels, technology, optimism, smartness, naming lazyness, and many more. Find out more in the episode.Episode generated with Descript assistance (affiliate link).Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
"I think there is a bit of community / social imperative that we should be standing up for what we want, demanding more."Are you interested in institutional accountability? What do you think about starting from taking pride in your own community? How can we take responsibility for mistakes made on the organisational level? Interview with Darren Murphy, CEO and founder of Core Integrity. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, levels of accountability, taking the first steps, the energy transition, and many more. Darren Murphy is the CEO and Founder of Core Integrity, leading a team of integrity, investigations, and risk professionals who help government, corporate, and professional sports clients protect their people, reputation, and bottom line. With over 25 years of experience as a Certified Fraud Examiner, Darren specializes in investigating fraud, bribery, corruption, and employee misconduct. He is also an expert in managing protected disclosure investigations and advising senior executives on fraud and misconduct issues. Recognized for his work in whistleblower program design, Darren helps organizations create safe "speak up" cultures. He believes that prevention is always better than the best response.Find out more about Darren through these links: Darren Murphy on LinkedIn Core Integrity website Core Integrity on LinkedIn Core Integrity on Youtube Darren Murphy on the Smart Cities Council ShowConnecting episodes you might be interested in: about how the environment shapes our behaviour about service-based governance about experiment-based governance about the need for room for failure in governance No.301RWhat wast 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 urban governance accountability? Summary of the article titled A framework for assessing the accountability of local governance arrangements for adaptation to climate change from 2019, by Heleen Mees and Peter Driessen, published in the Journal of Environmental Planning and Management.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Darren Murphy in episode 302 talking about the need to take responsibility and accountability while moving toward the future. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how accountability matters for the governance during climate change. This article develops a framework for assessing the accountability of interactive governance arrangements for local adaptation.Find the article through this link.Abstract: Accountability has hardly been studied in the governance of climate change adaptation. This paper develops a framework for assessing the accountability of interactive governance arrangements for local adaptation. This framework is based on five important accountability mechanisms: Clear responsibilities and mandates, Transparency, Political oversight, Citizen control and Checks and sanctions. For illustration purposes, the proposed framework is applied to the case of a Dutch local adaptation governance arrangement. The application shows that the five proposed mechanisms and their operationalizations offer a valid assessment of the accountability of such arrangements. It also raises some challenges, such as the tensions between accountability and flexibility, legitimacy and effectiveness; the potentially important roles of trust and of the political skills of central actor(s) in the arrangement in raising accountability, and the potential need to distinguish between arrangements for policy planning and for service delivery.Connecting episodes you might be interesting in:No.098R - Building social capital: A learning agenda for the twenty-first centuryNo.259R - Lessons from nine urban areas using data to drive local sustainable developmentYou can find the transcript through this link.What wast 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 institutional accountability? What do you think about starting from taking pride in your own community? How can we take responsibility for mistakes made on the organisational level? Trailer for episode 302 - interview with Darren Murphy, CEO and founder of Core Integrity. We will talk about his vision for the future of cities, levels of accountability, taking the first steps, the energy transition, 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 urban food production? What do you think is the difference between food production and agriculture? How can we retrofit urban infrastructure to produce more food in cities? This episode is a panel discussion where we investigate urban food production aspects. The panellists, Adam Dorr, Nadun Hennayaka, and Simon Burt talk about their vision for the future of cities, urban food production and agriculture, precision fermentation, retrofitting urban infrastructure, and many more. Adam Dorr is the Director of Research at the independent think tank RethinkX. He is an environmental social scientist and technology theorist whose recent RethinkX publications have focused on the disruption of the global energy sector by new energy generation and storage technologies, as well as the implications of the energy, transportation, and food disruptions for climate change. Adam regularly presents on stage, radio, podcasts, and television. He completed his MS at the University of Michigan's School for the Environment and Sustainability and his PhD at UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs. Adam talked about the transformative technologies in episode 222. Nadun Hennayaka is a seasoned engineering and technology expert with over 20 years of experience, having collaborated with global leaders such as Apple and Microsoft. He holds a bachelor's degree in information systems and business management from the University of Auckland and certifications from industry giants like Cisco and Microsoft. In 2017, he founded Gaia Project Australia to address climate change through renewable energy, ocean conservation, and advanced agricultural technology. By partnering with scientists, engineers, and global agencies, Nadun has spearheaded innovations like autonomous crop cultivation systems for Earth and space, demonstrating his commitment to sustainable solutions that advance environmental stewardship and transform the future of agriculture and technology. Nadun discussed the food ball and what can be produced in cities in episode 278. Simon Burt, an entrepreneur and co-founder, is dedicated to driving change through technology in agriculture. Passionate about environmentally friendly farming and carbon-neutral solutions, Simon excels in production management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable practices. With 20 years of experience in founding and managing companies, he values the importance of strong teams in achieving success. Committed to hands-on involvement, Simon combines his love for farming and people to lead with purpose and create a lasting impact. His dedication to innovative, sustainable agriculture reflects his mission to leave a meaningful legacy in the sector. Simon described the importance of education for food production in episode 220. Connected episodes you might be interested in: No.182 - Interview with Ted Bauillieu about urban retrofitting No.274 - Interview with Richard Gill about transformative technologies No.299R - Validating the City Region Food System approach What wast 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. Music by Lesfm from Pixabay