My guest on this episode is Katrin Klingenberg, the Executive Director of Phius. Phius is a non-profit organization committed to decarbonizing the built environment by making high-performance passive building the mainstream market standard. They are mainly active in USA with some international projects. In this episode we discuss:Why passive design principles need to be adapted to different climate zones - and how Phius has done this in their standards.The role of passive design in net zero carbon.How passive design is becoming mainstream in the USA and what else needs to be done to achieve this. Learn more about Phius: https://www.phius.org/Phius Passive Building Foundations Training: https://www.phius.org/passive-building/what-passive-building/passive-building-foundations-training- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

This episode is a conversation with Prachi Rampuria and Soham De, co-founders of an urban design practice called EcoResponsive Environments and are co-authors of a book by the same name. They joined me on this episode to discuss the concept of designing settlements with an understanding of natural systems as the starting point. They bring together the knowledge of multiple disciplines like sustainability, landscape ecology and water management and present it in a useful way for designers. More about their work: https://www.ecoresponsiveenvironments.com/EcoResponsive Environments book- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Nadina Galle, an ecological engineer and National Geographic Explorer, discusses her book, 'The Nature of Our Cities.' She highlights the crucial role urban nature plays in climate resilience and child development. Galle delves into the 'Internet of Nature,' exploring how technology can enhance urban ecosystems while cautioning against over-reliance. Insights on managing urban trees and the leading cities like Amsterdam and Boston showcase innovative approaches to urban greening, emphasizing community engagement and the balance of tech and nature expertise.

This episode is all about technology to help us deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG). My guest is Shashin Mishra, VP of EMEA for AiDash.We explore how a new digital tool called BNGAI has been created to help developers, ecologists and local authorities deliver Biodiversity Net Gain on development sites. We talk through how can the tool be used to help designers and ecologists work together in a collaborative way to get better results.I ask the key question: Is this going to replace real ecologists? Spoiler: no, it won’t. If you want to learn more, go to their website www.BNG.AI- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Doug Voigt, a partner at SOM, discusses the Wild Mile project in Chicago and the importance of rewilding and restoring ecological systems in cities. The project aims to reclaim part of the Chicago River as an ecological and community asset. We also discuss how the Wild Mile inspired an innovative approach to flood resilience in the Pearl River Delta. These projects are part of a larger effort to reimagine and retrofit urban infrastructure for the challenges of the 21st century.More about the Wild Mile: https://www.som.com/projects/wild-mile/More about Doug: https: https://www.som.com/person/doug-voigt/- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

James is founding partner of HTL Africa, a research-driven architectural firm dedicated to addressing the specific challenges of West African environments. He joined me to discuss what we can learn from traditional west African architecture and urbanism to apply to current challenges of climate change and housing shortages. Learn more about James and his projects: https://www.htlafrica.com/- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Dr Thami Croeser is an urban planner with a focus on bringing nature back into cities in practical ways, at large scale. He is a Research Fellow at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.In this episode we discuss practical ways of bringing more nature into cities and helping it thrive through urban planning and design. Learn more about Thami and his publications: https://cur.org.au/people/mr-thami-croeser/- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Shaun Spiers is the Executive Director of the environmental think-tank, Green Alliance. In this episode we discuss how a stronger planning system in the UK can address the housing crisis and deliver more sustainable outcomes. Read their report, Build Up: https://green-alliance.org.uk/publication/build-up/- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Alexandra Steed is a passionate landscape architect with a deep commitment to art, sustainability, and the transformative power of landscapes. We talk about:Her new book: Portrait to LandscapeHow to restore landscapes on a large scale to build climate resilience and biodiversityHow The UK's Environment Act and Biodiversity Net Gain are working in realityProject case studies and book recommendations.Learn more:Alexandra Steed URBAN: https://alexandrasteedurban.com/Book: Portrait to Landscape: https://alexandrasteedurban.com/project/portrait-to-landscape-a-landscape-strategy-to-reframe-our-future/- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin

Louisa Whitmore is an architecture enthusiast, TikToker and host of the Nature of Design documentary series. In this episode we discuss her experience making the documentary, the mental health benefits of biophilic environments and case studies of great biophilic projects.Learn more about the Nature of Design documentary:The Green Channel: LinkInstagram: LinkTikTok: LinkLouisa's TikTok: Link- - -Get 10% off Course: Sustainability Essentials for Built Environment ProfessionalsSubscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Contact Ross Website Linkedin