BusinessManagementTechnology

The #CitiesFirst Podcast

Scott Shepard

New Podcast Series hosted by Scott Shepard, and focused on the intersection of AI, Urbanism, Mobility & Decarbonization. An award-winning urban planner, entrepreneur, author, educator, speaker & thought leader, Scott Shepard has his finger on the pulse of everything related to #CitiesFirst, an interdisciplinary term he coined.

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S5 · E38
May 29 · 59 min
Episode 38: From Istanbul to Birmingham: Turning Mobility Innovation into Deployment (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
As the mobility sector looks beyond innovation and pilot projects, a bigger question is emerging: How do we move toward real-world deployment, integration, and measurable impact? Following the momentum of ITS European Congress 2026 in Istanbul, CitiesFirst Webinar #4 brings together leading city and mobility voices for a focused discussion on what Birmingham 2027 must deliver. 📍 From Istanbul to Birmingham: Turning Mobility Innovation into Deployment📅 Thursday, 28 May 2026🕛 13:00 PM CET🎙️ Live Webinar Featured Speakers: • Scott Shepard, AICP, LEED®AP, PMP — Founder, CitiesFirst (Moderator) • Peter Staelens — Eurocities • Berfin Sönmez — Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Discussion themes include: • Why pilots still fail to scale • Cities as orchestrators of mobility ecosystems • Governance, interoperability, and collaboration • What Birmingham 2027 must demonstrate for the sector This conversation continues the CitiesFirst dialogue around implementation, collaboration, and the future of intelligent mobility systems across Europe and beyond. We look forward to welcoming mobility leaders, city stakeholders, ITS professionals, and ecosystem partners to the discussion.
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S5 · E37
April 16 · 59 min
Episode 37: From Pilot to Scale: Deploying Integrated Mobility Systems – Insights from Istanbul (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
🚨 Cities don’t just pilot innovation — they need to scale it. Listen to Webinar 3 in The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast × ERTICO - ITS Europe × ITS Congresses series:🎯 From Pilot to Scale: Deploying Integrated Mobility Systems – Insights from Istanbul As cities move beyond pilots, the real challenge begins: deployment at scale.This session brings together senior city leaders and mobility experts from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and İSBAK to share how Istanbul is delivering integrated mobility systems in one of the world’s most complex urban environments. What you’ll learn: ✔ Why scaling mobility solutions is so difficult — and how to overcome it ✔ What “integration” really looks like in practice (data, modes, operations) ✔ Governance, procurement, and coordination challenges ✔ Real deployment insights from Istanbul✔ What cities should prioritise over the next 3 years Featuring: Scott Shepard, AICP, LEED®AP, PMP (Moderator) Joost VANTOMME (LL.M) Pelin Alpkökin Barbaros BÜYÜKSAĞNAK Erdem Samut, This webinar also sets the stage for the ITS European Congress 2026 — where these conversations continue with deeper technical insights and real-world case studies. 👉 Register for the ITS European Congress 2026 in Istanbul (27–29 April): https://lnkd.in/eGi5ZvTF
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S5 · E36
March 31 · 1 hr 3 min
Episode 36: Cities Shaping Intelligent Mobility: From Strategy to Integrated and Seamless Systems (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
🚨 Cities are shaping the future of intelligent mobility — from strategy to real implementation! Listen to Webinar 2 in the The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast × ERTICO - ITS Europe x ITS Congresses series:🎯 Cities Shaping Intelligent Mobility: From Strategy to Integrated and Seamless Systems This session brought together leading experts to explore how cities are integrating digital infrastructure, multi-modal transport systems, and governance frameworks to deliver smarter, more sustainable mobility solutions. What you’ll learn: ✔ How cities move from strategy to integrated, operational systems ✔ Role of data, AI, and digital platforms in seamless mobility ✔ Barriers to scaling beyond pilot projects ✔ Practical lessons from city-level deployment ✔ Preview of key ITS European Congress 2026 technical themes Featuring: Scott Shepard, AICP, LEED®AP, PMP – Founder, CitiesFirst (Moderator) María Alonso Raposo – ERTICO – ITS Europe Marta Campos Ferreira, PhD – Universidade do Porto Sandra Witzel – SkedGo Pty Ltd 👉 Register for the ITS European Congress 2026 in Istanbul (27–29 April) using promo code CitiesFirst): https://lnkd.in/eGi5ZvTF
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S5 · E35
February 12 · 59 min
Episode 35: Cities at the Crossroads - From European Legacy to Living Mobility Labs (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
Cities are no longer just testing mobility innovation — they are shaping Europe’s deployment agenda. Across Europe, public authorities are moving from pilots to permanent solutions, balancing legacy systems with the pressure to deliver scalable, people-centred mobility. As cities take on a stronger leadership role, one question matters most: how do we turn innovation into long-term impact at city scale? On 11 February 2026, The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast, in collaboration with ERTICO - ITS Europe, hosted a live webinar contributing to the wider conversation shaping the 17th ITS Congresses European Congress in Istanbul and its growing focus on public-sector leadership. This city-driven discussion brought together three leading voices in European urban mobility:🎤 Tamara Djukic, PhD, Head of Green & Urban Mobility, ERTICO - ITS Europe 🎤 Tina Wagner, Director-General for Transport, Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg 🎤 Karen Vancluysen, Secretary General, POLIS network Together, they explored how European cities are positioning themselves as living mobility labs — and why sustained engagement, beyond individual pilots or events, is essential to achieve real deployment and lasting impact. What we explored included: ✅ Why cities are at a turning point for mobility delivery ✅ How long-term European collaboration builds trust and continuity ✅ Moving from research and pilots to deployment at city scale ✅ Why the ITS European Congress matters for public authorities ✅ What Istanbul represents as a living mobility lab for Europe and beyond
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S4 · E34
Nov 20, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Episode 34: Vision Zero in Action (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
Safer Streets. Smarter Cities. Better Lives. 🌍 Traffic fatalities and serious injuries are not inevitable — they’re preventable. The global #VisionZero movement is transforming how we plan, design, and manage transportation systems to put people first and prioritize life and well-being. I recently contributed a guest post for PTV Group, exploring how Vision Zero is driving the journey toward zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries — and how cities around the world are reimagining safety through design, policy, and innovation. 👉 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ehvDAAZU As part of Umovity — uniting PTV Group and Econolite — we’re helping cities make data-driven decisions that lead to safer, more sustainable, and people-centered mobility networks. We dive deeper into how Vision Zero is being put into practice globally, featuring insights from leading experts: 🎙️ Speakers: Snehasis "Sunny" Chakravarty “Sunny” Chakravarty – Vice President, Engineering, Econolite Michael Kent – Policy Director, Chicago Department of Transportation Hagen Schueller – Traffic Safety Expert, PTV Transport Consult ✅ Real-world examples of Vision Zero in action ✅ Strategies to embed safety into every level of transport planning ✅ How data and innovation are accelerating progress toward zero fatalities And if you haven’t yet, tune in to The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast for more expert insights on the future of urban mobility: https://lnkd.in/d6HAa3kx
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S4 · E33
Oct 2, 2025 · 57 min
Episode 33: Shaping Transport with Digital Twins (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
We’re thrilled to share the latest episode of the #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast, featuring Michael Oliver, Technical Director at PTV Group. 🌍 🎙 Episode Topic: Shaping Transport with Digital Twins Digital twins are transforming the way cities plan, operate, and optimize their transport systems. In this episode, Michael dives into how this cutting-edge technology is driving smarter, more resilient, and sustainable urban mobility solutions. Michael shares actionable insights including: ✅ How digital twins are revolutionizing transport planning and operations ✅ Strategies for building smarter and more resilient urban mobility systems ✅ Lessons learned from real-world applications of digital twin technology Whether you’re a transport professional, urban planner, or just curious about the future of cities, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss! #DigitalTwins #SmartCities #UrbanMobility #TransportInnovation #ResilientCities #FutureOfMobility #SustainableCities #CityPlanning #UrbanInnovation #CitiesFirst #Podcast
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S4 · E32
Sep 10, 2025 · 54 min
Episode 32: Designing Resilient Cities (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
Urban resilience isn’t optional—it’s essential. As climate change, rapid growth, and aging infrastructure reshape our cities, the question isn’t if we should build resilience—it’s how. Join us for The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast LinkedIn Live webinar, in partnership with PTV Group and Econolite🎙 Designing Resilient Cities: Strategies for a Future-Ready Urban World📅 Wednesday, September 10 | 🕒 3 PM GMT+1 | 📍 LinkedIn Live Hear from global leaders: 👤 Ida Sami, PhD – CEO & Founder, ClimateNXT 👤 Matthias Pfriem – Senior Product Manager, PTV Group 👤 Mike Dang, M.S. – Product Manager, NEMA, Econolite We’ll cover: ✅ Defining resilient cities ✅ How smarter mobility protects communities ✅ Lessons from global innovators ✅ Why collaboration is the cornerstone of resilience
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S4 · E31
Aug 28, 2025 · 53 min
Episode 31: Data &AI in Mobility (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
🚨 Join Us LIVE — Data & AI in Urban Mobility 📅 Thursday, August 28 🕔 4:30 PM GMT+1 📍 LinkedIn Live How can cities harness data and AI to build smarter, more accessible, and more efficient transport networks? EIT Urban Mobility - Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) invites you to a special LinkedIn Live webinar in collaboration with The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast. We’ll hear from city leaders and innovators shaping the future of urban mobility. 🎙️ Rob Lloyd — Chief Technology Officer & Director of Information Technology, City of Seattle 🎙️ Kameale C. Terry — CEO, ChargerHelp! 🎙️ Jason Cambridge — Technology Manager, City of Seattle 🔍 Discussion Topics: ✅ How mobility data—from people, vehicles, and infrastructure—is transforming urban transport planning ✅ Emerging AI tools to improve accessibility, equity, safety, and efficiency ✅ Real-world examples from Seattle and beyond 🎧 Warm up for the session by tuning into The CitiesFirst Podcast: Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dyRjqbvM Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dnWCxvkh RSS.com : https://lnkd.in/d6HAa3kx 🎓 Want to go deeper? Enroll in the free UMX course “Data & AI in Mobility” to explore how cities can leverage emerging technologies: https://lnkd.in/dsKw5iYa
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S4 · E30
Aug 4, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Episode 30: Shared & Micromobility in Cities (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
EIT Urban Mobility - Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) invites you to a special LinkedIn Live webinar in collaboration with The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast. We’ll hear from city leaders and innovators shaping the next wave of urban transport. 🎙️ Julie White — Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation, NCDOT 🎙️ Venkatesh Gopal — CEO, movmi 🎙️ Darius Mason — Shared Mobility Specialist, City of Detroit 🔍 Discussion Topics: ✅ The evolving role of shared micromobility in urban systems ✅ Policy, equity, and public-private collaboration ✅ Real-world insights from Detroit, North Carolina & beyond ✅ What’s next in micromobility innovation and integration 🎧 Warm up for the session by tuning into The CitiesFirst Podcast: Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dYv5GyGn Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dnWCxvkh RSS.com : https://lnkd.in/d6HAa3kx 🎓 Want to go deeper? Enroll in the free UMX course “Micromobility & Cities” to explore how cities can effectively integrate small vehicles into their transportation mix: https://lnkd.in/dnf5hxi2 #Micromobility #SharedMobility #UrbanMobility #SmartCities #SustainableTransport #MobilityInnovation #PublicTransport #CitiesFirst #EITUrbanMobility #UMX
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S4 · E29
Jul 3, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Episode 29: AVs and the Future of Mobility (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
How will autonomous vehicles shape the cities of tomorrow? EIT Urban Mobility - Urban Mobility Explained (UMX) is proud to sponsor an exclusive LinkedIn Live webinar in partnership with The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast. We’ll explore the evolving landscape of hashtag#AVs, shared mobility, electrification, and public policy with three visionary leaders driving change: 🎙️ Henriette Cornet, CEO at Urban Innovate 🎙️ Sascha Meyer, CEO at MOIA 🎙️ Javier Guimerá Tena, Head of AV at Padam Mobility 🔍 Agenda: ✅ What role will AVs play in the future of sustainable urban transport? ✅ Lessons learned from pilot programs and operational deployments ✅ Intermodality and integrating AVs into existing mobility ecosystems ✅ The role of public-private partnerships in shaping AV adoption ✅ Equity, accessibility, and citizen engagement ✅ What’s next: Policy, innovation, and the road to scale
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S4 · E28
May 29, 2025 · 35 min
Episode 28: Peter Schenkman
Peter Schenkman, COO of Fernhay Solutions is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the transportation industry. As a former senior transportation commissioner in City of New York, he has been at the forefront of sustainable mobility conversations worldwide. His achievements include championing electric vehicles (EVs), zero-emission buses (ZEBs), and micro-mobility solutions. Peter has played pivotal roles in EV startups, launching light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and micro-mobility fleets. He excels in fleet optimization, last-mile delivery, and connected vehicles, and advocates for ADA compliance and inclusive transportation solutions. 🚶♀️🛴🚘 Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which will is all about micro-deliveries, light electric vehicles (LEVs) and last mile logistics: 👇👇👇 ✅How has your experience as a New York City transportation commissioner informed your view of logistics and micro-deliveries ✅Describe how LEVs and cargo bike deliveries are a necessary part of last mile policy ✅What are some of the winning form factors in LEV and cargo bike design ✅How can cities work with LEV OEMs and operators to better coordinate last mile delivery ✅Tell us about your favorite micro-delivery hub in New York City, and what makes it special Be sure to also register in the UMX Sustainable Urban Logistics Course: 💻 👇https://lnkd.in/dXRRa3Ny
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S4 · E27
Apr 30, 2025 · 35 min
Episode 27: David Smith, AICP
David Smith, is currently the Complete Streets Director at the Chicago Department of Transportation overseeing the planning and design of infrastructure projects and policy development. David is responsible for the implementation of our citywide bicycle network, pedestrian safety improvements, and developing policies to improve mobility for all Chicagoans. Vision Zero Chicago team leader working with City agencies, advocacy organizations, and community groups to reduce crashes and eliminate traffic fatalities. David brings experience from previous roles at TYLin and City of Highland Park. David holds a Master's in Urban Planning and Public Policy in Economic Development / Transportation from the University of Illinois at Chicago - Graduate College. 🚶♀️🛴🚘 Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about complete streets in Chicago: 👇👇👇 ✅How has Chicago successfully expanded its bike lane network since the pandemic? ✅Describe how tactical urbanism programs are helping to strengthen Chicago´s communities ✅What are some of the key elements of complete streets being implemented in Chicago ✅How can complete streets better integrate and promote use of public transit? ✅Tell us about your favorite complete streets project in Chicago, and what makes it special? Be sure to also register in the UMX Designing a Livable Neighbourhood: The Woonerf Concept Course: 💻 👇 https://urbanmobilitycourses.eu/courses/designing-a-livable-neighbourhood-the-woonerf-concept/?utm_source=cities_first&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=citiest1st_livingstreets_woon
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S4 · E26
Mar 31, 2025 · 34 min
Episode 26: Dr. Kristina Gauce
Dr Kristina Gaučė has over 17 years’ experience in mobility/transport analysis and urban transport policy making, starting with the European Commission project STEP by STEP in 2003, following with transport development feasibility studies, participation in European projects (MAX, EPOMM-PLUS, ENDURANCE, EVIDENCE, numerous Interreg and UNDP projects and initiatives), representing these projects in Lithuania and EU conferences, presenting good practise and advising on transport policy to the local authorities, was involved in Guidelines on Developing and Implementing a Sustainable Urban Mobility plan and etc. Currently Dr Kristina Gaučė acts as the social partner/adviser on urban transport policy to Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania, Ministry of Transport and Communications, Vilnius City Municipality and local public transport operators. 🚶♀️🛴🚘 Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about SUMPs in Europe: 👇👇👇 ✅Why is sustainable urban mobility planning important and what are the differences from traditional approaches? ✅Describe the main ingredients for developing and implementing SUMPs ✅Tell us about your leadership in implementing SUMPs in Lithuania and across Europe ✅What is needed to engage stakeholders and citizens? ✅What are some lessons learned from SUMP implementation? Be sure to also register in the UMX Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) Course: 💻 👇 https://lnkd.in/dWQQ3crZ
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S4 · E25
Jan 16, 2025 · 34 min
Episode 25: Jamey Tesler
Jamey Tesler is currently the executive director of the just launched Mass Mobility Hub, a public benefit corporation with a mission to support the mobility sector and is looking to build community, support companies in their growth and accelerate change in this sector. Jamey is also a Visiting Fellow at the Taubman Center for State & Local Government at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. Previously, Jamey served as Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of MassDOT, where he was responsible for a fully multimodal state transportation department, oversaw the leadership of the MBTA and served on the board of the Massachusetts Port Authority. Jamey had previously served as Registrar of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) in June of 2020, after serving in the role on an interim basis since June of 2019. Jamey has previously worked for more than 20 years in senior management roles in the public sector with experience in infrastructure, transit, sustainability, mobility, public finance, and public policy. Jamey has also served as General Counsel to the Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer and Receiver General, Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of the Governor, Deputy General Counsel for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Acting Chief of Staff for the Secretary of Transportation, and as Chief Operating Officer at MassDOT. Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about mobility in Boston: 👇👇👇 ✅What are the latest mobility innovations to emerge in Boston? ✅How can cities pilot new mobility tech, at scale? ✅Tell us about Mass Mobility Hub and the emerging ecosystem ✅How can startups sell to the public sector, and what are some best practices? ✅Tell us about your professional journey from attorney to mobility expert
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S3 · E24
Nov 21, 2024 · 34 min
Episode 24: Ross Douglas
Ross Douglas is a South African entrepreneur who started his career as a nature documentarian and filmmaker. He collaborated with William Kentridge to produce 9 Films for Projection, which was performed in New York’s Central Park, London’s Barbican Centre and Berlin’s Guggenheim New York. After starting an art event company he created the FNB Joburg Art Fair (2008), the world’s first African contemporary art fair and a key gathering for the African art community.Concerned about global warming, Ross turned his attentions to sustainability. As road transport is one of the largest carbon emissions contributors, he decided to create an event to gather emerging new mobility solutions dedicated to lowering emissions and congestion. Autonomy, launched in Paris in 2015, was the result. Ross chose Paris for its central location, strong transport sector and anti-emissions policies. Autonomy, now the largest urban mobility event in the world, hosts 200 exhibitors, 10,000 visitors and 100 cities – all dedicated to change the way we move in cities. Ross also advises major companies such as Nike, AXA and Toyota Motor Corporation on mobility disruption. Here's a sneak peek into the upcoming episode, which will is all about transport decarbonization and sustainable mode shift: 👇👇👇 ✅What are the latest trends in decarbonization of the transport sector ✅How has Paris emerged as a leader in shared and active mobility ✅Tell us about the 2025 Global Decarbonization Expo and program ✅How can cities across the globe implement the 15 Minute City at scale ✅Tell us about your professional journey from filmmaker to decarbonization influencer
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S3 · E23
Oct 23, 2024 · 37 min
Episode 23: Nico Larco
Nico Larco is a Professor of Architecture at the University of Oregon, Director of the Urbanism Next Center at the University of Oregon and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Sustainable Cities Initiative, a nationally and internationally awarded, multidisciplinary organization that focuses on sustainability issues as they relate to the built environment. Professor Larco’s research focus includes sustainable urban design and the impacts of emerging technology on cities. The Urbanism Next Center, which he leads, is focused on how technological advances such as autonomous vehicles, new mobility, e-commerce and the sharing economy are changing city form and development. Professor Larco has received numerous national and international awards for his work, has been a Distinguished Fulbright Association Scholar in Chile and in Spain, and was a visiting researcher at Delft University of Technology and TNO in the Netherlands. He is a licensed architect and has worked professionally in the fields of Architecture, Urban Design, Planning, and Development. Larco is the principal of Larco/Knudson, an urban design consulting practice in Portland which focuses on sustainable urban design and assisting with the resilience of projects in the face of rapidly changing technology. Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about urban mobility innovation: 👇👇👇 ✅How has the urban mobility landscape evolved over the past five years ✅What are the latest mobility innovations transforming our built environments ✅How will autonomous vehicles be deployed at scale, and under which use cases ✅What are the key future-proofing techniques cities can leverage for new mobility ✅Tell us about your latest book, "Sustainable Urban Design Handbook"
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S3 · E22
Oct 10, 2024 · 33 min
Episode 22: Women in Shared and Active Mobility (The #CitiesFirst Webinar)
The #CitiesFirst Advisors + Podcast is excited to launch our quarterly webinar series, with an all star lineup of guests and speakers. This webinar episode, "Women in Shared and Active Mobility" features mobility experts Sandra Witzel and Alex Carroll. Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about women in shared and active mobility: 👇👇👇 ✅Please share recent shared mobility business models & success stories ✅What are the policy implications of active and shared mobility ✅Tell us about how to improve walkability in urban environments ✅What is most important for safety of women in public transport & shared mobility ✅Please share the latest active mobility infrastructure innovations
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S3 · E21
Aug 29, 2024 · 36 min
Episode 21: Laura Narvaez Zertuche, PhD
Dr. Laura Narvaez Zertuche is an architect, urban designer, and a spatial scientist. She is a Partner in the Urban Design Group at Foster + Partners, where she leads people movement and data analytics within the firm since 2015. Her work incorporates evidence-based and research-led design that combines informed decision-making with simulation-powered design tools and strategic development of methodologies with their application to architecture and urban design. She has +17 years of experience working in urban design and master planning internationally, primarily in Mexico, UK, the Middle East and Asia. She is a specialist in assessing how issues such as pedestrian footfall, economic activity and social interactions will impact the viability, growth, and long-term evolution of projects, ranging from new cities to complex buildings. Laura works pro-bono as a contributor and advisor, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Urban AI -an international multi-disciplinary think-tank that investigates the ethical modes of governance and sustainable uses of artificial intelligence in cities. Laura is also a Lecturer at the Chair of Cognitive Sciences in ETH Zurich. She gained a MSc and PhD in Architecture and the Built Environment from the Space Syntax Laboratory at The Bartlett, UCL. Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about urbanism and AI: 👇👇👇 ✅Tell us about your journey from academia to practice ✅What can AI tell us about the built environment and urban design ✅How do you approach technology when applied to the urban scale ✅What are some of the best examples of AI & machine learning in design ✅Tell us about Urban AI and latest contributions to the think tank
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S3 · E20
Jul 25, 2024 · 36 min
Episode 20: Rik Adamski
Where some see forgotten places, Rik Adamski sees extraordinary opportunities and is dedicated to supporting extraordinary places where people thrive. As the President of ASH+LIME, Rik has consulted on over 50 projects across 35 towns and cities, focusing on downtown and neighborhood planning, local economic development, support for small developers, and deep stakeholder engagement. His approach is bottom-up and incremental, providing communities with tools and resources to achieve immediate, productive steps towards tangible results using their current resources. Rik earned his Masters Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Planning & Urban Affairs and a BA in Sociology from the University of Cincinnati. Rik has consulted for several of the most prominent planning organizations in the US before moving to Texas and embracing a more nimble, actionable and participatory approach to developing communities. Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which is all about Third Places, tactical urbanism and incremental placemaking: 👇👇👇 ✅Tell us about how you approach public engagement and equity ✅How can tactical urbanism re-activate neighborhoods & communities ✅What are the building blocks for thriving public spaces & Third Places ✅How have urbanism & mobility evolved since the pandemic ✅Tell us about your professional journey to leading ASH + LIME
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S3 · E19
Jun 19, 2024 · 36 min
Episode 19: Enrique Peñalosa
Accomplished public official, economist, and administrator, Enrique Peñalosa completed his second term as Mayor of Bogota, Colombia in December 2019. While mayor, Peñalosa was responsible for numerous and radical improvements to the city and its citizens. He promoted a city model giving priority to children and public spaces and restricting private car use, building hundreds of kilometers of sidewalks, bicycle paths, pedestrian streets, greenways, and parks. After organizing a Car-Free Day in 2000, he was awarded the Stockholm Challenge Award and rewarded by a referendum vote endorsing an annual car-free day and the elimination of all cars from streets during rush hours from 2015 onwards, Peñalosa also led efforts to improve Bogotá's marginal neighborhoods through citizen participation which involved planting more than 100,000 trees, creating a new and highly successful bus-based transit system, and turning a deteriorated downtown avenue into a dynamic pedestrian public space. He helped transform the city's attitude from one of hopelessness to one of pride, developing a model for urban improvement based on the equal access of all people to transportation, education, and public spaces. Here's a sneak peek into the episode, which will is about Bogota and Enrique's new book, "Equality and the City: Urban Innovations for All Citizens": 👇👇👇 ✅Tell us about how Bogota built environment has evolved during your two separate terms as mayor ✅How has Bogota's bike lane network become a global model for active transportation ✅What can North American and Europe learn from Latin American urbanism ✅How is the Transmilenio BRT network integrated with shared and active modes ✅Tell us about your new book "Equality and the City: Urban Innovations for All Citizens" An advanced city is not one where the poor own a car, but one where the rich use public transport.” - Enrique Penalosa
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