Urbanistica Podcast - Cities for People
Mustafa Sherif
A podcast about how we plan and design cities for people. Tune in and join listeners from over 150 countries.
I'm Mustafa Sherif, an Urbanist, Placemaker and studio manager based in Sweden. I interview people working in architecture, Palcemaking, urban planning and design about their projects, processes, methods, handbooks, challenges, leadership, and passions in life.
It’s not just about projects, it’s about the people behind projects.
In collaboration with AFRY (Urban Planning and Design section in Stockholm).
I'm Mustafa Sherif, an Urbanist, Placemaker and studio manager based in Sweden. I interview people working in architecture, Palcemaking, urban planning and design about their projects, processes, methods, handbooks, challenges, leadership, and passions in life.
It’s not just about projects, it’s about the people behind projects.
In collaboration with AFRY (Urban Planning and Design section in Stockholm).
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 12, 2025 • 30min
547. Urban Furniture Lab in Doha - Reem Al-Muraikhi and Isabella Rossen
We spotlight Qatar Museums’ Urban Lab and its innovative approach to reimagining Souq al Haraj in Doha. In this episode, we discuss the Urban Furniture Lab project and explore how collaborative design interventions can transform public spaces, turning traditional markets into dynamic civic laboratories for creativity and community engagement.Guests:Reem Al-Muraikhi, Architect LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reem-al-muraikhi-92a6b4156/ and Isabella Rossen, Urban Planning Curator at Qatar Museums.LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabella-rossen-6b623764/___In collaboration with Placemaking Week Europe 2025 in Reggio Emilia. Read more: https://placemaking-europe.eu/pwe/reggio-emilia-2025/__Keep Up the Good Work. Keep Loving Cities ❤️️__All opinions expressed in each episode are personal to the guest and do not represent the Host of Urbanistica Podcast unless otherwise stated.__Let's connect and talk further about this episode Mustafa Sherif Linkedin.Visit Mustafasherif.com for collaborations and nominations or email me at info@mustafasherif.comFollow Urbanistica onInstagram , TikTok, Facebook & Youtube channel.Thanks to Urbanistica Podcast partner AFRY (Urban Planning and Design)AFRY is an international engineering and design company providing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Oct 11, 2025 • 30min
546. Digital placemaking with marginalized communities - Sirin Hassan and Vineeta Shetty
Digital Placemaking with Marginalized Communities, focusing on indigenous and marginalized groups from across four regions share how placemaking becomes a form of resistance and empowerment. From Palestinian activists using digital storytelling, to Indian practitioners mapping ancestral lands, this global dialogue shows how technology and placemaking together can amplify erased voices and reconnect fragmented communities.Guests:Sirin Hassan (Activist Architect, Placemaker & Social Entrepreneur). LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirin-hassan-a730a0109/andVineeta Shetty, Founder at The Smart Citizen, Convenor at Placemaking India. LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vistara/ ___In collaboration with Placemaking Week Europe 2025 in Reggio Emilia. Read more: https://placemaking-europe.eu/pwe/reggio-emilia-2025/__Keep Up the Good Work. Keep Loving Cities ❤️️__All opinions expressed in each episode are personal to the guest and do not represent the Host of Urbanistica Podcast unless otherwise stated.__Let's connect and talk further about this episode Mustafa Sherif Linkedin.Visit Mustafasherif.com for collaborations and nominations or email me at info@mustafasherif.comFollow Urbanistica onInstagram , TikTok, Facebook & Youtube channel.Thanks to Urbanistica Podcast partner AFRY (Urban Planning and Design)AFRY is an international engineering and design company providing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Oct 11, 2025 • 55min
545. Placemaking in Tehran - Mahdi Haghi
Mahdi Haghi shares insights from ten years of placemaking in Tehran, exploring how public space interventions address urban decay, build community resilience, and foster civic engagement within a top-down municipal system. He highlights key projects, methods, and inclusive strategies involving Afghan migrants, tenants, women, and children, while reflecting on lessons learned and the future of placemaking in Tehran and beyond.Connect with Mahdi viaMahdihaghi90@gmail.comLinkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahdihaghi
Oct 11, 2025 • 19min
544. Placeshaping for Climate Resilience - Lisa Taylor
This episode explores how placeshapers can take a more active role in climate resilience and adaptation, moving from “why” to “how” in driving tangible change. We discuss intergenerational learning and leadership transition within placemaking movements, and the role of independent facilitators in building trust, connecting stakeholders, and co-designing better places.Lisa Taylor, Director, Coherent Cities, Future of Greater Manchester, Future of LondonCo-founder - Place Collective UK.LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/lisactaylor___In collaboration with Placemaking Week Europe 2025 in Reggio Emilia. Read more: https://placemaking-europe.eu/pwe/reggio-emilia-2025/__Keep Up the Good Work. Keep Loving Cities ❤️️__All opinions expressed in each episode are personal to the guest and do not represent the Host of Urbanistica Podcast unless otherwise stated.__Let's connect and talk further about this episode Mustafa Sherif Linkedin.Visit Mustafasherif.com for collaborations and nominations or email me at info@mustafasherif.comFollow Urbanistica onInstagram , TikTok, Facebook & Youtube channel.Thanks to Urbanistica Podcast partner AFRY (Urban Planning and Design)AFRY is an international engineering and design company providing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Oct 10, 2025 • 30min
543. Trenčín 2026 European Capital of Culture - Hana Laššová and Omar Mirza
We explore how the city of Trenčín, Slovakia is reimagining its public spaces ahead of Trenčín 2026 – European Capital of Culture. The conversation highlights the City Reimagined project, which transforms everyday urban spaces into lively, people-centered places through both small placemaking interventions and large-scale infrastructure and strategic initiatives. As part of the Cities in Placemaking program, the episode delves into collaborative approaches, key lessons, and the power of placemaking to shape more vibrant and inclusive cities.Ing. arch. Hana Laššová – Project Manager for Public Space, Trenčín 2026 (Slovakia)https://www.linkedin.com/in/hana-la%C5%A1%C5%A1ov%C3%A1-690366227/Mag. phil. Omar Mirza – City Curator, City of Trenčín (Slovakia)https://www.linkedin.com/in/omar-mirza-921ab5297/___In collaboration with Placemaking Week Europe 2025 in Reggio Emilia. Read more: https://placemaking-europe.eu/pwe/reggio-emilia-2025/__Keep Up the Good Work. Keep Loving Cities ❤️️__All opinions expressed in each episode are personal to the guest and do not represent the Host of Urbanistica Podcast unless otherwise stated.__Let's connect and talk further about this episode Mustafa Sherif Linkedin.Visit Mustafasherif.com for collaborations and nominations or email me at info@mustafasherif.comFollow Urbanistica onInstagram , TikTok, Facebook & Youtube channel.Thanks to Urbanistica Podcast partner AFRY (Urban Planning and Design)AFRY is an international engineering and design company providing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Oct 9, 2025 • 29min
542.AR من المنسي إلى المفضل: عن صناعة المكان في القاهرة وما بعدها - عمر زهران
كيف يمكن للتراث، والسينما، والمجتمع أن يعيدوا تخيّل مستقبل مراكز المدن؟ في هذه الحلقة، نستضيف المهندس عمر زهران لنتتبع رحلته من مهندس معماري شاب إلى صانع مكان عالمي، ونكتشف المكوّنات السرّية لإحياء وسط المدن.نتحدث عن القاهرة كذاكرة حية، والسينما كأرشيف عمراني، ودور الشباب والمجتمع في صناعة المكانللتواصل مع عمر على LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/omarzahran27/ Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/omarzahran25/___In collaboration with Placemaking Week Europe 2025 in Reggio Emilia. Read more: https://placemaking-europe.eu/pwe/reggio-emilia-2025/__Keep Up the Good Work. Keep Loving Cities ❤️️__All opinions expressed in each episode are personal to the guest and do not represent the Host of Urbanistica Podcast unless otherwise stated.__Let's connect and talk further about this episode Mustafa Sherif Linkedin.Visit Mustafasherif.com for collaborations and nominations or email me at info@mustafasherif.comFollow Urbanistica onInstagram , TikTok, Facebook & Youtube channel.Thanks to Urbanistica Podcast partner AFRY (Urban Planning and Design)AFRY is an international engineering and design company providing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Oct 8, 2025 • 27min
541. Planning and Placemaking - Roland Krebs
Roland Krebs, Director of Superwien urbanism, Vienna Austria.Connect with Rolandhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rolandkrebs/https://www.instagram.com/superwien.architektur.urbanism/www.superwien.com___In collaboration with Placemaking Week Europe 2025 in Reggio Emilia. Read more: https://placemaking-europe.eu/pwe/reggio-emilia-2025/__Keep Up the Good Work. Keep Loving Cities ❤️️__All opinions expressed in each episode are personal to the guest and do not represent the Host of Urbanistica Podcast unless otherwise stated.__Let's connect and talk further about this episode Mustafa Sherif Linkedin.Visit Mustafasherif.com for collaborations and nominations or email me at info@mustafasherif.comFollow Urbanistica onInstagram , TikTok, Facebook & Youtube channel.Thanks to Urbanistica Podcast partner AFRY (Urban Planning and Design)AFRY is an international engineering and design company providing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Oct 7, 2025 • 29min
540. The Zero Empty Spaces model in the U.S - Evan Snow
Evan Snow, Co-Founder / Managing Partner of Zero Empty Spaces. Zero Empty Spaces is a company that revitalizes underutilized commercial real estate by converting vacant retail, restaurant, bar, and office spaces into creative, community-oriented hubs. They offer specialized models for artists, culinary ventures, retail brands, and mixology, combining lease-management, activation, and community programming to support local entrepreneurs and economic development. LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/evansnowfl/___In collaboration with Placemaking Week Europe 2025 in Reggio Emilia. Read more: https://placemaking-europe.eu/pwe/reggio-emilia-2025/__Keep Up the Good Work. Keep Loving Cities ❤️️__All opinions expressed in each episode are personal to the guest and do not represent the Host of Urbanistica Podcast unless otherwise stated.__Let's connect and talk further about this episode Mustafa Sherif Linkedin.Visit Mustafasherif.com for collaborations and nominations or email me at info@mustafasherif.comFollow Urbanistica onInstagram , TikTok, Facebook & Youtube channel.Thanks to Urbanistica Podcast partner AFRY (Urban Planning and Design)AFRY is an international engineering and design company providing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Oct 6, 2025 • 33min
539. Systems Thinking in urban design - Abdul Wasae Syed
Abdul Wasae Syed, Building & Architectural Engineer | Founder & Strategic Designer @ EcoSpectrals & Kognitions | Urbanist @ IMM Design Lab, Politecnico di MilanoLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/abdul-wasae-syedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kognitions/In collaboration with Placemaking Week Europe 2025 in Reggio Emilia. Read more: https://placemaking-europe.eu/pwe/reggio-emilia-2025/__Keep Up the Good Work. Keep Loving Cities ❤️️__All opinions expressed in each episode are personal to the guest and do not represent the Host of Urbanistica Podcast unless otherwise stated.__Let's connect and talk further about this episode Mustafa Sherif Linkedin.Visit Mustafasherif.com for collaborations and nominations or email me at info@mustafasherif.comFollow Urbanistica onInstagram , TikTok, Facebook & Youtube channel.Thanks to Urbanistica Podcast partner AFRY (Urban Planning and Design)AFRY is an international engineering and design company providing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure.
Oct 5, 2025 • 21min
538. Why Businesses, Not Governments, May Hold the Keys to Sustainable Cities - Marcos Gold
Marcos Gold, Director of Policy and Place, UK.In this episode, we explore why businesses—not governments—may hold the keys to building sustainable cities. From the agility of Business Improvement Districts to the difference between real action and greenwashing, we unpack how private actors can drive change faster than traditional planning. We also tackle the social challenges of urban improvement and the tough truths about funding and governance on the road to 2030.__In collaboration with Placemaking Week Europe 2025 in Reggio Emilia. Read more: https://placemaking-europe.eu/pwe/reggio-emilia-2025/__Keep Up the Good Work. Keep Loving Cities ❤️️All opinions expressed in each episode are personal to the guest and do not represent the Host of Urbanistica Podcast unless otherwise stated.Let's connect and talk further about this episode Mustafa Sherif Linkedin.Visit Mustafasherif.com for collaborations and nominations or email me at info@mustafasherif.comFollow Urbanistica onInstagram , TikTok, Facebook & Youtube channel.Thanks to Urbanistica Podcast partner AFRY (Urban Planning and Design)AFRY is an international engineering and design company providing sustainable solutions in the fields of energy, industry, and infrastructure.
