On Cities

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Andrew Frey, Director of the City of Miami's Department of Real Estate. As a former developer and zoning lawyer, Andrew brings a wealth of experience to the table as he discusses the fundamental importance of incremental urbanism. Drawing from his extensive research and collaborations, Andrew articulates the value of small-scale urban development, not only rooted in time-tested principles of good urban design but also supported by empirical evidence showing that such environments foster diversity and equity. Don't miss this insightful conversation on shaping the future of our cities. Tune in Friday, April 19th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST, on the Voice America network, and catch up on all previous episodes.

Welcome to ON CITIES, where we explore the ways that the design of the built environment shapes the quality of our lives. Today, we will be speaking with Alan Ricks, the co-founder and chief operating officer of MASS Design Group. Established on the belief that architecture is more than just buildings, MASS is a global team of over 200 professionals from diverse disciplines, united by a shared vision of architecture as a force for positive change. With a focus on creating purposeful, healing and hopeful design, MASS continues to redefine the role of architecture in confronting history, shaping narratives and fostering collective healing and resilience within communities worldwide. Join us on the Voice America Variety Channel this Friday, April 12th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST as we delve into the transformative power of architecture.

In the next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Shane Phillips, author of The Affordable City. From Los Angeles to Miami, American cities are struggling to address the challenges of high housing costs and household instability. Phillips believes that effectively tackling the housing crisis requires that cities support both housing abundance and tenant protections; and his research offers us more than 50 policy recommendations to achieve affordability and increase community resilience through local action. Tune in Friday, April 5th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America Variety Channel; and listen to all previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities

In the next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with architect and educator Phillip Smith. Smith delves into the African legacies of American Classicism and its enduring impact on the development of the American South. Acknowledging the troubling history of Antebellum Southern architecture, Smith’s research illuminates a more nuanced reality, emphasizing the profound contributions of enslaved Africans and later Black architects in shaping the design, building and interpretation of traditional American buildings and cities. Do not miss what is sure to be an illuminating conversation. Tune in Friday, March 29th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice American Variety Channel; and listen to all previous episodes on your favorite podcast platforms.

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Victor Dover, co-author of Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns. In this episode of ON CITIES, we explore critical elements lacking in modern streets, the concept of 'place' and its importance in street design, and the key design elements of great streets. Dover uncovers common misconceptions guiding the work of traffic engineers and highlights overlooked details that can greatly impact street design. From the power of street trees to retrofitting urban environments, Dover offers invaluable insights and shares success stories of transforming blighted areas into vibrant, inviting spaces that people want to be in. Tune in on Friday, March 22nd at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America Variety Channel and listen to all previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities.

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Helle Søholt, founding partner and CEO of GEHL. Helle sheds light on GEHL's remarkable journey, challenging conventional urban paradigms and outlining a vision for a more sustainable and community-centric future. Together, we explore the guiding principles that propel GEHL's transformative projects, unveiling the sensitive solutions they bring to the design of the built environment. Tune Friday, March 15th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM EST to gain unique insights into the intricacies of creating dynamic, people-oriented urban environments; and discover how GEHL is shaping the cities of tomorrow. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with architect and educator George Knight on his preservation work at Yale University. Knight's profound dedication to architectural heritage becomes evident as he meticulously intertwines the past and the present in projects ranging from the restoration of St. Moore Chapel to the iconic Yale British Arts Center designed by Louis Kahn. His work stands as a guardian of history, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, significantly contributing to the larger dynamic context of both the Yale campus and the city. Don't miss this episode where Knight shares insights into the delicate balance between preserving architectural heritage and embracing modernity. Tune in Friday, March 1st at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America Variety Channel; and find all previous episodes of ON CITIES on your favorite podcast platform.

In this upcoming episode of ON CITIES, acclaimed author Witold Rybczynski provides a forward-looking perspective on urban planning. In discussion with host Carie Penabad, Rybczynski seamlessly weaves historical insights with future predictions, guiding listeners through the evolution of American cities from colonial planning to the 21st-century age of the market. The conversation highlights projects like the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the new Israeli city of Modi'in as contemporary examples that challenge the conventional notions of urban living, urging listeners to envision the possibility of creating the cities we want through an alternative blueprint for the future design of our built world. Tune in Friday, February 23rd at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 PST on the Voice America Variety Channel; and connect to all previous episodes on Apple iTunes, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Anthony Garcia, co-author of Tactical Urbanism, an urban design theory that promotes swift, grassroots-driven changes to urban space. Rather than waiting for top-down transformations to cities, Tactical Urbanism empowers individuals and communities to take immediate, tangible steps to reshape their surroundings. From pop-up parks and guerrilla gardening to temporary street art installations, Tactical Urbanism embodies the belief that small, incremental changes can lead to profound and lasting improvements in the way we experience and interact with our cities. Tune in Friday, February 16th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America Variety Channel; and find all previous episodes of ON CITIES on your favorite podcast platform.

What are the characteristics of great neighborhoods; and why do they continue to be one of the most important elements of city building and community identity today? In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad engages in a thought-provoking conversation with urban designer Juan Mullerat, delving into the successful strategies and innovative approaches employed in the process of revitalizing neighborhoods. Utilizing real-world examples, Mullerat unveils the transformative elements that contribute to the renewal and sustainable growth of communities both in America and abroad. Join us for an insightful exploration that sheds light on the intricate balance between design, community engagement and the enduring impact of neighborhoods in the building of the contemporary city. Tune in Friday, February 2rd at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America Variety Channel and find all previous episodes of ON CITIES on your favorite podcast platform.

In this exploration of American cultural landscapes, host Carie Penabad speaks with Yale urban historian, Elihu Rubin, as he delves into the dynamic forces shaping everyday places and the evolving nature of the built environment. Using New Haven and Boston as a canvas, Rubin highlights the interplay between society, economics, and urban change, uncovering what elements contribute to the vitality of cities and the challenges of preserving a sense of place in an ever-evolving globalized world. Through insightful anecdotes, Rubin shares surprising stories of public spaces like the New Haven Green and pivotal events like Mayday 1970, revealing the struggles embedded in urban transformations. As the conversation unfolds, Rubin advocates for a holistic understanding of the relationship between academia, community engagement, and city planning, offering a comprehensive perspective on navigating the stories and struggles of American cities. Do not miss the conversation, this upcoming Friday, January 26th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 EST on the Voice America Variety Channel or find all previous episodes of ON CITIES on your favorite podcast platform. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities

Join best-selling author Witold Rybczynski as he returns to ON CITIES to delve into the extraordinary life and groundbreaking work of Frederick Law Olmsted. Hailed as a pioneer in landscape architecture, Olmsted crafted some of America’s most iconic landscapes, including New York’s Central Park and the Emerald Necklace in Boston. Discover how Olmsted's diverse formative experiences in farming, writing, reporting and traveling laid the foundation for his unparalleled career. Explore how his visionary designs came to epitomize 19th-century America and continue to captivate and inspire us today. Tune in this Friday, January 12th, at 11:00 AM EST / 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America Variety Channel to uncover the fascinating story of Olmsted’s life and the enduring legacy of his landscapes; and connect to all previous episodes of ON CITIES on Apple iTunes, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities

In the first ON CITIES episode of the new year, host Carie Penabad speaks with renowned author Witold Rybczynski about his latest book, The Story of Architecture. Rybczynski expertly navigates the vast history of architecture from the Stone Age to the present, showcasing how societal shifts, technological advancements and artistic expression have shaped the world’s greatest buildings. Tune in Friday, January 5th at 11:00 am EST, 8:00 am PST on the Voice America Variety Channel, as Rybczynski sheds light on how architecture shapes our cities and reflects our collective societal aspirations. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities Connect to all previous episodes of ON CITIES on Apple iTunes, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.

Urban policy expert and author, Diana Lind joins ON CITIES to discuss her most recent book, Brave New Home: Our Future in Smarter, Simpler, Happier Housing. Described by the New York Times as an invaluable resource that provides a new and revelatory window on a familiar challenge, Brave New Home offers a concise history of single-family housing in America and highlights the social, economic and environmental consequences of our current housing crisis. Lind discusses new housing trends and illustrates how these models can help Americans tackle the challenges of equity and affordability so that we can all live better lives. Tune in on Friday, January 27th at 11:00 AM EST to re-imagine the future of housing.

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Pat Bosch, Design Director and Principal of the international design firm of Perkins & Will. With a commitment to leveraging design as a force for positive change, Bosch shares how her team develops projects that strive to merge innovation with social and environmental consciousness. Through real-world examples, Bosch presents a compelling narrative on how architecture can catalyze community engagement and spark meaningful societal change. Join us this Friday, December 15th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 PST on the Voice America Variety Channel; and explore past episodes on Apple iTunes, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad engages in a compelling conversation with Distinguished Professor and author Donald Shoup, exploring the profound impacts of parking on city design. Shoup delves into his three fundamental rules of parking, unveiling the transformative outcomes that emerge when cities embrace his policies. The conversation illuminates how parking reforms may be the easiest, cheapest and fastest way to improve city life, protect the environment and promote social justice. Tune in on Friday, December 8th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice American Variety Channel and listen to all previous episodes on Apple iTune, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with architect and educator, Mark Pasnik on his co-authored book: Heroic: Concrete Architecture and the New Boston. The conversation explores the post-war architectural movement (commonly referred to as Brutalism) and the groundbreaking concrete structures that re-imagined the City of Boston during the 1960s and 1970s. Beyond a mere architectural trend, this period reflects an urban transformation driven by public investment, resulting in a diverse array of civic, cultural, and academic landmarks that epitomize concrete modernism. The discussion unveils some of the era's most iconic structures, like the Boston City Hall and Harvard’s Carpenter Center, while tackling the period’s troubled urban histories and the challenges of preserving these landmarks in the face of contemporary pressures for development and renovation. Tune in Friday at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America Variety Channel and connect to all previous episodes on Apple iTunes, Spotify or your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of ON CITIES, AnnaLisa Meyboom discusses the future of transportation and its impact on urban form. The conversation focuses on tangible, design scenarios for the integration of autonomous vehicles, the future of electrical vehicle station planning and the ways that well-designed infrastructure can bring social value that far exceeds its initial construction expenditure. Meyboom also sheds light on how well-designed transportation is a key factor to greater levels of equity and a higher quality of life for all citizens by sharing specific strategies and tools that have been developed in successful infrastructural projects throughout the globe. Do not miss this engaging conversation about the future of transportation and the development of contemporary cities!

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will be speaking with Hèléne Chartier, Director of Urban Planning and Design at C40 Cities, a leading global organization dedicated to sustainable urban development. At the forefront of urban sustainability, C40 works tirelessly to forge a path towards Low Carbon Cities, our episode’s central theme. We will delve into the organization’s mission and explore best practice from around the world aimed at creating greener, more sustainable and environmentally conscious cities. Tune in Friday, September 8th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America Variety Channel https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities ; and find all previous episodes on Spotify, Apple iTunes or your favorite podcast platform.

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Reed Kroloff, former editor-in-chief of Architecture magazine and Dean of the Illinois Institute of Technology College of Architecture, about the interplay between message and medium in design. We will explore the craft of visual storytelling and the ways to forge powerful connections between creators and their audiences (clients, institutions, students etc.). With illuminating insights and real-world experiences, Kroloff demonstrates how the clear communication of design ideas has the power to shape and transform our interconnected world. Tune in Friday, November 10th at 11:00 AM EST on the Voice America Variety Channel; and connect to all previous episodes on Spotify, Apple iTunes or your favorite podcast platform.