Urban Limitrophe

The built environment is a reflection of political decisions. The officials you elect shape the environment around you. So, what happens if people don’t participate in the voting process? In this episode, we delve into the critical intersection of civic action and urban development with our insightful guest, Dafe Oputu. We’ll explore the urban landscapes of Accra, Ghana; Cotonou, Benin; and Lagos, Nigeria, examining how trust and accountability in municipal governance shape these cities. We’ll discuss the strategies different cities employ to encourage political participation and civic action, and why voting is crucial for building better cities. What are the consequences when citizens disengage from the electoral process? How does a lack of representation in municipal elections affect city planning and development? Guest: Dafe Oputu Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes, references and guest details. To access social media, newsletter, and additional projects visit: https://linktr.ee/urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

What makes a city truly smart? Or just? The answer lies with the people. In this episode, we explore the human-centric side of Smart Cities with our guest Titus Kaloki from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Kenya office. Through their Just Cities Project, Titus is on a mission to make cities both smart and just, leveraging technology to put people at the center of urban planning. Titus and his team have been leveraging an innovative software called Urban Collective Design Environment (U_CODE) to achieve an 85% participation rate in their Just Cities Project in Nakuru City, Kenya. This process brings together local government, urban planners, and citizens to co-design the future of the city using 3D modelling software. Join us as we delve into how this approach results in community-informed plans that conform to urban guidelines and zoning while saving time, money, and reducing frustration for all parties involved. Guest: Titus Kaloki Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes, references, and guest details. To access social media, newsletter, and additional projects visit: https://linktr.ee/urbanlimitrophePlease address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music by Imany LambropoulosPodcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

What if the true architects of our cities are not the government officials or urban planners, but the communities who live in them? In this episode, we dive deep into a provocative question: When governments fail to provide essential services like water and electricity, and communities step up to fill the gaps, who define the future of urban development? We journey to Brazil to unravel the story of the 2001 City Statute, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at making cities more equitable. This innovative law, born from decades of activism and aimed at redistributing urban resources, has struggled with implementation challenges. My special guest, Mayara Almeida de Paula, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto and an expert in urban planning, will share her insights on how race, gender, and urban policies impact the lives of Black women in Brazil and how these factors either support or restrict their right to the city. Guest: Mayara Almeida de Paula Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Subscribe to the newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dKQV9 Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music and editing by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

In this episode, we're headed to Tangier, Morocco. My co-host Naziha Nasrin and I speak with Amine Houari of Think Tanger, a non-profit cultural agency shaping Tangier's development through art, research, and collaboration. Together, we discuss crucial topics such as creative insurgency, planning in suburban contexts in Toronto (Scarborough) and Tangier (Bir Chifa), multicultural approaches to community development, and insights for other cultural planning organizations. Additionally, we offer advice for Western cities planning for diverse cultural contexts. Key insights from the episode include: Planning in multicultural cities and suburbs The importance of people-centred practices to urban/suburban developmentThink Tanger's StudioCity program and how it promotes dialogue, arts, city-building, and neighbourhood pride in TangierThe foundational elements of Think Tanger's approach to fostering a more inclusive and engaged communityExploring the colonial history of Tangier and its impact on the city's culture and built environmentHow Think Tanger uses publications like their magazine MAKAN and their store KIOSK alongside residency programs to support the decolonization of arts and culture in the cityCrafting inclusive approaches that resonate with the unique cultural and historical context of a cityStrengthening cultural programming and development through strategic collaborations and financial supportInclusive approaches to cultural planning Guest: Amine Houari of Think Tanger Co-Hosts: Naziha Nasrin of plazaPOPS Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Subscribe to the newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dKQV9 Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music and editing by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

Join me, along with my co-hosts Joycelyn and Erin, as we dive into an insightful conversation with Lanrick Bennett Jr., Toronto's Bicycle Mayor, and the Executive Director of Charlie's FreeWheels. We explore his tenure as a bike mayor and the expansive network of BYCS-appointed mayors, stretching from India to Uganda and beyond. In this episode, we discuss crucial topics such as Vision Zero and efforts to reduce vehicular-related fatalities in Toronto. We delve into designing inclusive cycling infrastructure and offer advice for those looking to cycle in the city and who want to get involved in making their streets safer for all. Key insights from the episode include: Guest: Lanrick Bennett Jr., Bicycle Mayor of Toronto & Executive Director of Charlie’s FreeWheels Co-Hosts: Joycelyn Guan and Erin Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: www.urbanlimitrophe.com@urbanlimitrophe https://shorturl.at/dKQV9 Credits:

This episode marks the first video episode of the podcast! Here's a sneak peek of my conversation with Destinie Adélakun, an emerging multi-disciplinary artist, who masterfully weaves her Nigerian-Indian heritage into her breathtaking solo exhibition, "Journey of Adé." Destinie also shares the excitement of exhibiting at Toronto's renowned Nuit Blanche, her work bridging mental wellness and public art as part of the Scarborough-based Behind the Art Collective, and the crucial role that public art plays in shaping the identity of our cities. This is just a snippet of our conversation. To watch our full discussion head on over to the new Urban Limitrophe YouTube channel to see all of the art pieces that Destinie refers to in the episode. Guest: Destinie Adélakun, Behind the Art Collective Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities, the Department of Geography and Planning, and GlowReel About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dKQV9 Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com

Join me in this captivating episode of the podcast as I have an insightful conversation with Heba Elhanafy, an urban researcher from the Charter Cities Institute (CCI) Zambia. Together, we explore the fascinating world of charter city development and dive deep into the Planning Guidelines Report titled "Guided Organic Growth: An urban planning framework for charter cities." In this episode, you'll learn about: Guest: Heba Elhanafy, Charter Cities Institute (CCI) Zambia www.chartercitiesinstitute.org@hebaelhanafi@hebaelhanafyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/heba-elhanafy-918691a0 Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music and editing by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

In this episode, I chat with Angela Oduor Lungati, the CEO of Ushahidi. Ushahdi is a mobile platform dubbed “Africa’s Gift to Silicon Valley” by the New York Times. Born out of a crisis, the open-source software enables virtually anyone with a cellphone or internet connection to efficiently crowd-source information, map it and share it with those the most in need and guide those who can provide aid. Ushahidi is a powerful planning and decision-making tool for communities and cities in the midst of an emergency and has been used by groups worldwide to track everything from COVID-19 recovery to police brutality and everything in between. In this episode, you'll learn about: Guest: Angela Oduor Lungati, CEO of Ushahidi www.ushahidi.com@AngieNicoleOD@Ushahidi@Ushahidigive.ushahidi.com Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music and editing by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

En novembre 2021, j'ai eu le plaisir de parler avec M. Patrick Mudekereza le Directeur Exécutif du Centre d'Art Waza. Le Centre d'Art Waza, situé à Lubumbashi, en République démocratique du Congo une ville désignée en 2015 par l'UNESCO, comme étant la Ville créative d'artisanat et des arts populaires. Ainsi, pendant notre discussion nous parlons par rapport de la créativité des Lushois, du rôle de l'art public dans la ville, les projets divers dirigés par le Centre et ce qui fait de Lubumbashi une Ville Créative. Dans cet épisode, vous découvrirez: Invité: Patrick Mudekereza www.centredartwaza.org@centredartwaza@centredartwaza Remerciements: Cet épisode est co-parrainé par l'Université de Toronto School of Cities et le Département de Geographie et de l'Aménagement Urban Limitrophe: Veuillez visitez www.urbanlimitrophe.com pour toutes les notes et références de l’émission et les détails sur les invités. @urbanlimitrophepodcast @urbanlimitrophe Assistance:

In this episode, my co-host Sami Ferwati and I chat with Salma Elbasty from CLUSTER (Cairo Lab for Urban Studies, Training and Environmental Research). CLUSTER undertakes a number of research, architecture, and arts-based urban initiatives with a special focus on analyzing urban informality and highlighting its role in our cities. During our discussion, we explore the impact of two of CLUSTER's major projects—the CAUL (Critical Arab Urban Lexicon) and their Creativity in Action toolkit—and how through their diverse programming they work with artists, artisans, academics, businesses, communities, and everyone else in between to bring their projects to life. In this episode, you'll learn about: Guest: Salma Elbasty, CLUSTER Co-Host: Sami Ferwati Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: www.urbanlimitrophe.com@urbanlimitrophe Credits:

In this episode, my co-host Jane O'Brien Davis and I chat with Marion Anvango at Book Bunk. Book Bunk is "working to restore some of Nairobi's most iconic public libraries into sites of heritage, public art, collective memory, knowledge production, shared experiences, cultural leadership and information exchange." During our discussion, we explore their diverse series of programming that they offer in their public library branches. We also chat about Book Bunk's approach to restoring libraries to make them more inclusive and accessible and cultivate a sense of belonging for the local community. In this episode, you'll learn about: Guest: Marion Anvango, Book Bunk https://www.bookbunk.org/@thebookbunk@thebookbunk Co-Host: Jane O’Brien Davis linkedin.com/in/jane-o-brien-davis-772211197/ Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

In this episode, I chat with Adwoa Afful, the founder of Black Futures Now Toronto (BFN TO). BFN TO is collective that uses a mixture of storytelling, radical mapping, and a whole lot of creative talent, to develop a number of interactive ways of archiving, experiencing, and celebrating overlooked Black histories and geographies. During our talk, we explore their innovative Mapping Black Futures (MBF) story mapping project, and how in collaboration with Black nonbinary youth and women from across the Greater Toronto Area, they built a virtual community centre that highlights Black histories and placemaking. In this episode, you'll learn about: Guest: Adwoa Afful, Black Futures Now Toronto www.blackfuturesnow.to/ Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music by Imany Lambropoulos Editing by Hannah Ahamedi Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

In this episode, I speak with Tatu Gatere, the co-founder and CEO of Buildher. Buildher is a non-profit based in Nairobi Kenya that is on a mission to promote gender equality within the construction industry through the provision of accredited construction, artisanry, and manufacturing skills to women that participate in their training program. Through their holistic approach to skills training and workforce development, Buildher is working hard to knock down biases and close the gender gap in the construction industry in Kenya and beyond. In this episode, you'll learn about: Guest: Tatu Gatere, CEO and Co-Founder of Buildher Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram: @urbanlimitrophepodcast Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music by Imany Lambropoulos Editing by Hannah Ahamedi Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

In this episode, my co-host Hannah Ahamedi and I chatted with Milly Kakungulu, the Education Department Lead at Justice Defenders Uganda. Through our discussion, we learned more about how the Justice Defenders (formerly known as the African Prisons Project) are defending the defenceless by educating prisoners on how to provide legal services for themselves and others. In this episode, you'll learn about: @reachallianceto Guest: Milly Kakungulu, Education Department Lead at Justice Defenders https://www.justice-defenders.org/ Co-Host: Hannah Ahamedi Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits: Music by Imany Lambropoulos Editing by Hannah Ahamedi Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos.

In this episode, I chat again with Roxana Escobar Ñañez. Roxana is pursuing her Ph.D. in Human Geography at the University of Toronto and she was recently one of five special guests on the 12th episode of the podcast. Given her unique research interests, after our last conversation, I decided to invite her to the show again to dive deeper into her work examining 'the places Afro-Peruvian women hold in Lima’s sonic landscapes' and Black womanhood in Latin America and to get a better understanding about how these themes of music, Blackness, and cities emerge in the diaspora. What started off as a discussion of her research turned into a vivid exploration of Lima's history through the lens of Afro-Peruvian music, food, culture, and most importantly Black joy and resilience. In this episode, you'll learn about: mestizaje criollo Guest: Roxana Escobar Ñañez @RoxanaEscobarN @Roxanaescobar14 Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos. Music by Imany Lambropoulos Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com

This special episode of Urban Limitrophe is brought to you in collaboration with the Graduate Geography & Planning Student Society (GGAPSS) in celebration of Black History/Black Futures Month! In this episode, I speak with Roxana Escobar Ñañez (PhD Human Geography), Brianna Lane (MSc Physical Geography), Priscilla Ankomah-Hackman (MSc Planning), Jane O'Brien Davis (MSc Planning), and Bola Oshinusi (PhD Planning) to explore why they got interested in geography and planning, and their advice for other aspiring geographers and planners looking to study in this field. In this episode, you'll learn about each guests': Collaborator: Graduate Geography & Planning Student Society (GGAPSS) Guests (visit the podcast website for contact details): Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos. Music by Imany Lambropoulos Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com

In this episode, I speak with Abigail Moriah, a registered urban planner and founder of the Black Planning Project. Through this initiative, Abigail and her team, collect and share the stories of Black urban planning professionals and students to highlight their important work and encourage more diverse voices to enter the profession. Most importantly, through its various mentorship opportunities and research endeavours, the Black Planning Project builds the relationships and community ties necessary to ensure that urban planning and hopefully the city-building sector makes room for new perspectives and ideas. In this episode, you'll learn: Guest: Abigail Moriah, The Black Planning Project / BPUA / MIIPOC facebook.com/BlackPlanningProject@planning_black@blackplanningprojectwww.blackplanningproject.com/Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca. To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos. Editing by Hannah Ahamedi Music by Imany Lambropoulos Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com

In this episode, I speak with Carolina Larrazábal, the co-founder and design director at BuildX Studio. BuildX Studio is an innovative award-winning architectural studio based in Nairobi, which is the first architecture, engineering or construction company in Africa to become B Corp™ certified. The team at BuildX Studio is on a mission to build radically better buildings, and back in July 2021 I got to speak with Carolina to learn more about how her team is building dignified circular affordable housing in Kenya and how through their relationships and partnerships with other organizations such as their sister branch BuildHer, their work focuses on embedding equity, diversity and sustainability in every stage of the development process. In this episode, you'll learn about: Guest: Carolina Larrazábal @buildxstudio @buildxstudio BuildX Studiowww.buildxstudio.com Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca. To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Podcast concept, develepment, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos. Music by Imany Lambropoulos Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com

In this episode, I speak with Paul Ninson, a photographer, and filmmaker about the importance of visual storytelling and how after collecting over 30,000 books on photography and film, he is in the beginning stages of building The Dikan Center. The center will be the first visual storytelling library in Ghana. The Dikan Center will train not only the next generation of storytellers but build a community hub that welcomes locals and newcomers alike to learn about, celebrate, and create African stories and flip the dominant, negative narrative about life on the continent. In this episode, you'll learn about: Guest: Paul Ninson facebook.com/dikancenter@dikancenter@dikancenterhttps://www.dikancenter.org/ Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. The School of Cities "convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just". To learn more about the School of Cities visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca. To learn more about the Department of Geography and Planning and the different undergraduate and graduate programs available please visit www.geography.utoronto.ca. About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos. Music by Imany Lambropoulos Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Melanie Samson, about the important role that waste reclaimers play in our cities, particularly in Johannesburg. Melanie works closely with the African Reclaimers Organization (ARO), a non-profit group that is fighting to get waste reclaimers the rights and recognition they deserve for their hard work and ensuring that their knowledge and perspectives are incorporated in the broader waste management system. In this episode, you'll learn about: Guest: Dr. Melanie Samson facebook.com/africanreclaimers@africanreclaim@africanreclaimershttps://www.africanreclaimers.org/ This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning. “The School of Cities convenes urban-focused researchers, educators, students, practitioners and the general public to explore and address complex urban challenges, with the aim of making cities and urban regions more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just.” To learn more about their work visit www.schoolofcities.utoronto.ca. More Urban Limitrophe: Episode show notes and references: www.urbanlimitrophe.com Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos. Music by Imany Lambropoulos Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com.