#42 Charles Duff: North Atlantic Cities - The Forgotten Blueprint for the Future

May 29, 2025

01:08:09

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New episode out now with Charles Duff, author of The North Atlantic Cities. This is one I’ve wanted to record for years, ever since I read his book. Charles lays out a vision of city building that’s neither skyscraper-packed Manhattan nor endless suburban sprawl, but something in between. Something tested, timeless, and deeply human.

We talk about what makes cities like Amsterdam, London, and Boston so livable-and why they offer a roadmap for places like Oklahoma City and the Sunbelt. It’s not about replicating Parisian density or banning cars. It’s about building places where families can live in row houses, walk to a corner store, catch a train, and still have a backyard, space and privacy. It’s about recognizing that the built environment is one of our biggest levers for addressing the environment, culture, economics, and quality of life–all at once.

Charles explains how a bunch of brick houses built by 17th-century merchants ended up creating one of the most resilient, beautiful, and efficient urban forms the world has ever seen. And he makes a compelling case that we don’t need to invent a new future, we just need to remember what already works.

This one’s for anyone who cares about the intersection of beauty, density, and sanity in our cities. Hope you enjoy it–and if you do, go read the book. It’s changed the way I think about building.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 The Hidden Way of Building Cities

05:08 Understanding North Atlantic Cities

12:27 The Importance of Urban Density

21:01 The North Atlantic Way of Building

26:10 Lessons from North Atlantic Cities

36:11 Living Conditions in 1600s Europe

39:42 The Rise of the Dutch Middle Class

43:35 Architectural Innovations in the Netherlands

46:27 Contrasting Urban Developments: Paris vs. London

48:50 The Modern Row House and Urban Density

55:52 The Importance of Aesthetic in Urban Design