The Urbanist

Sue Asprey Price, CEO of Work Dynamics at JLL, shares insights from the 2025 Workforce Preference Barometer, highlighting the growing desire for flexible office environments, especially among Gen Z. She discusses the importance of human-centered design and amenities that make office spaces appealing. Meanwhile, Charlotte McDonald-Gibson reveals the complexities of urban combat training, noting the value of synthetic environments and advanced technology like AR/AI for effective preparation in urban warfare scenarios.

Jessica Bridger, a writer and narrator, shares her profound insights on the Grande Dixence Dam, the tallest in Europe, built in the 1950s. She details its impressive scale and the surreal experience of interacting with its massive structure. Bridger delves into its engineering marvels and crucial role in Swiss hydropower, generating a significant portion of the nation's energy. She also highlights the dam's cultural invisibility and its impact on Swiss identity, emphasizing how human ingenuity harmonizes with nature.

We speak to South Korean artist Jinjoon Lee about how his country interacts with public art, Inzamam Rashid visits an acclaimed installation from Dubai Design Week and we meet new Riba president Chris Williamson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petri Burtsoff, a journalist and producer specializing in architecture, explores Helsinki's innovative Upper Secondary School of Natural Sciences. He describes it as Finland's first five-story wooden educational building, emphasizing the compelling reasons behind the use of timber, from aesthetics to sustainability. Burtsoff highlights how the school fosters an engaging science curriculum, thanks to its strategic design and proximity to university facilities. The discussion also touches on the building's understated exterior, showcasing it as a bold civic statement in urban architecture.

Hugo Valenti, Managing Director of the Smart City Expo, discusses why Barcelona excels in urban innovation and citizen engagement. Maimouna Binti Maud Sharif, former mayor of Kuala Lumpur, shares her insights on repurposing heritage buildings for community revitalization. Futurist Nikki Greenberg emphasizes designing cities for future generations with emerging technologies, while Tina Backstrom from LA highlights the importance of biking infrastructure and AI in post-disaster recovery. Together, they unravel the challenges and creative solutions shaping tomorrow's cities.

Ivan Carvalho, a writer and storyteller specializing in architectural history, shares the fascinating tale of Frank Lloyd Wright's Marin County Civic Center. He explains why officials rejected plans to bulldoze the landscape, inviting Wright to create a harmonious design with nature. Discover how graceful arches connect the site, allowing cars to glide beneath. Carvalho highlights the vibrant color palette chosen posthumously and links the center's futuristic vibe to George Lucas's Star Wars inspirations, showcasing its lasting cultural significance.

Liz Diller, co-founder of Diller, Scofidio + Renfro and the visionary behind New York's High Line, shares insights on the project's ongoing evolution and its impact on the surrounding neighborhood since COVID. She recounts the challenges of staging cultural events, like an opera on the High Line, and hints at future expansions. Sheena Rossiter discusses urban growth challenges in Canadian cities, highlighting the need for denser, mixed-use developments and effective policy changes to accommodate rising populations.

Noor Amylia Hilda, a passionate journalist, takes us on a nostalgic journey through Abu Eli, a beloved pub in Beirut with a revolutionary past. She highlights its unique decor filled with portraits of revolutionaries and explains how the venue transformed from a comrades' hangout to a must-visit spot. The eclectic crowd enjoys the house's quirky rules and warm hospitality, including sticking banknotes on the walls. Noor reflects on the bar's rich music heritage and its role as a refuge for younger generations seeking connection and community amidst the chaos.

Monocle’s man in Milan, Ed Stocker, decamps to Turin to bring us a collection of conversations from Utopian Hours, the festival dedicated to city making. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore Wilton Park, a stunning 600,000 sq ft development by IPUT, Dublin’s leading property-investment company. Chief executive Niall Gaffney gives us a tour and talks about quality of life in urban settings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.