The DNA of Cities

In the first part of our visit to New York, we reveal how the combination of money, diversity, creativity and density are the traits that make New York, New York. We explore the long history of the city and we discover that the entrepreneurial zeal that one so often associates with the city has very deep roots. We hear how the original raison d'etre for the settlement that became New York was in fact profit-making. But the geography and topography of New York that facilitated this was also the home of indigenous Lenape populations, whose long-established network of trade routes and cultural exchange were diminished as the settlement grew into a city. Dr Sarah Henry and Tom Wright guide us through many of the decisive moments in the history of New York from before it was settled up to the 21st Century. It’s a conversation that covers migration, enterprise, exploitation, social tension, revolt, reform, crisis and hope. For the Eric Sanderson talk that’s mentioned in this episode, follow this link: https://www.ted.com/talks/eric_sanderson_new_york_before_the_city?language=en  To learn more about the DNA of Cities and sign up for our latest updates visit www.thednaofcities.com.  

In the second part of our exploration of Singapore we hear more about the individuals that have moulded and shaped Singapore over the last fifty to sixty years. We discover the distinctly Singaporean approach to governance that has emerged. Compared to some of the other cities we explore in this series, there is a very prominent set of ‘acquired’ traits that came with Singaporean leadership and the people who have chosen to make this place their home. We hear from Professor Cheong Koon Hean, Dr Liu Thai Ker, Professor Khoo Teng Chye and Professor Kishore Mahbubani. We are extremely grateful to this group of experts who have been enormously influential in shaping Singapore in many ways over their careers. To learn more about the DNA of Cities and sign up for our latest updates visit www.thednaofcities.com.

The second city on our voyage of discovery is Singapore: the little red dot in South East Asia that tells one of the world's most unusual and successful stories of modern nation building. Singapore’s independence in 1965 unleashed five decades of innovation that have resulted in an unforeseeable transformation.  In this episode, we learn about the program of rapid problem-solving that was pursued by Singapore's visionary founding decision-makers and the vulnerabilities they were forced to mitigate. We hear from Professor Cheong Koon Hean, Dr Liu Thai Ker, Professor Khoo Teng Chye and Professor Kishore Mahbubani. We are extremely grateful to this group of experts who have been enormously influential in shaping Singapore in many ways over their careers.  To learn more about the DNA of Cities and sign up for our latest updates visit www.thednaofcities.com

In this episode we explore the identity of Istanbul through the myths and stories that people tell about the city. We also learn about the impact of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire on Istanbul’s sense of itself as a cosmopolitan global city.  We reveal the characteristics the city has acquired as a temporary or permanent home to many different populations and cultures, and we hear from Ali Akay, Berkan Özyer, Associate Professor Eda Yücesoy,  Associate Professor Ozdemir Sonmez, Avi Alkaş and Murat Belge.  To learn more about the DNA of Cities and sign up for our latest updates visit www.thednaofcities.com

Embark on a journey to Istanbul, the city with three names, where east meets west. Discover its rich history from Byzantium to its modern identity, reflecting a tapestry of cultures. Dive into its urban evolution shaped by empires and modern globalization. Learn about the explosion of population and informal housing that transformed the landscape. Delve into its vibrant culinary scene influenced by trade. Compare Istanbul's unique character with New York, showcasing its resilience and psychological connections to its people.

Join experts like Abha Joshi-Ghani, an urban development guru, and Professor Edgar Pieterse, a visionary in urban policy, as they dissect how cities earn their unique traits. They explore how historical contexts, colonial legacies, and cultural adaptations shape urban identities. Discussions highlight the resilience of areas like Manhattan and the blending of old and new architectural forms. The risks of cloning urban traits in new settings are also examined, prompting a conversation on context-specific planning amidst rapid global changes.

In this illuminating discussion, Dr. Jaana Remes, an urban studies expert, Professor Pete Tyler, a scholar in urban identity, and Geerte Udo, an associate professor on urbanization, explore what constitutes a city's unique 'DNA.' They delve into the historical, cultural, and geographical influences on urban identity, emphasizing the impact of migration and globalization. The conversation highlights the collaboration between artists and engineers in shaping cities and examines how a city's identity evolves through community interaction and broader urbanization processes.

This discussion features a star-studded panel including Prof Edgar Pieterse, an urban planning expert; Prof Mike Batty, a complex systems guru; Dr Jaana Remes, an economist focused on urban growth; Dr Karissa Sanbomatsu, who bridges genetics and urban identity; Abha Joshi Ghani, a finance specialist; and Prof Ricky Burdett, an urban design scholar. They explore whether cities have a 'DNA,' dissecting urban evolution and identity influenced by historical context. The captivating conversation also draws parallels between genetic adaptability and cities responding to their social environments.

Welcome to The DNA of Cities. Subscribe and join us fortnightly from Thursday 24th November 2022 as we try to decode what makes our cities so unique.