The Urbanist

Grace Charlton takes us to a literary stalwart and community pillar in Florence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re joined by former City of Toronto chief planner Gregg Lintern to discuss priorities for Canadian cities. Plus: we visit Cascadia to see what has come from the mega-region’s decade-long formal partnership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Mueller takes us to the Australian War Memorial to find out the nature of and reasons for its recent refit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We meet Dr Gary Yohe, a Nobel Peace prize recipient for his work on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Then: we discover the stories behind Britain’s cooling towers, a brutalist structure that once dominated our skylines.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomás Pinheiro, a dedicated reporter and storyteller, delves into the fascinating history of Bangkok's Robot Building. He highlights how the structure, originally designed as a whimsical representation of technology, became a cultural icon. However, recent renovations have stripped it of its unique charm, transforming it into a bland glass tower. Pinheiro emphasizes the importance of preserving architectural heritage and shares insights about the efforts to maintain the Robot Building's legacy through archives. A compelling exploration of urban erasure!

In this captivating roundup, Elna Schutz shares her delightful exploration of Kennedy Park in Lima, filled with cats and vibrant community life. Liam Syed takes us inside the Wonder Cabinet in Bethlehem, highlighting its role as a creative haven amidst adversity. Geetanjali Krishna paints a vivid picture of Rajmandir cinema in Jaipur, focusing on its unique charm and cultural significance. Sheena Rossiter reveals the local response to plans for dismantling Tyra, the giant dinosaur in Drumheller. Lastly, Inzamin Rashid discusses the nostalgic impact of Dubai's 'Toyota Building' and its iconic sign.

Join San Francisco's Mayor Daniel Lurie as he navigates city challenges, focusing on public safety and revitalizing downtown. Landscape architect David Gottschall champions local materials for creating eco-friendly urban spaces in Denver. Monocle correspondent Hannah Lucinda-Smith shares insights on Istanbul's Tertulia series, where music enhances urban culture. Plus, reporter Alexei Korolov gives a thrilling account of the World Tram Driver Championships in Vienna, highlighting its nail-biting competition and the city's triumph.

David Martin, Global Design Director at Stantec, and Perry Ashenfelter, Senior Associate at Perkins and Will, dive into the transformative power of healthcare facility design. They discuss how hospitals can serve as civic hubs, enhancing community engagement and connectivity. Martin emphasizes strategies for public access that integrate nature and daylight into hospital spaces to promote healing. Ashenfelter shares insights into the renovation of the Animal Medical Center, focusing on staff wellbeing and maintaining operations during complex updates, highlighting the importance of design in veterinary care.

Gregory Scruggs tells us the tale of the oldest existing synagogue in the United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak to Jeremy Till and Tatjana Schneider – two of the authors behind ‘Architecture is Climate’ – a new book rethinking the industry and its foundations in an age of ecological crisis.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.