Episodes

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with architect and educator, Mark Pasnik on his co-authored book: HEROIC: Concrete Architecture and the New Boston. The conversation explores the post war architectural movement (commonly referred to as Brutalism) and the groundbreaking concrete structures that re-imagined the City of Boston during the 1960s and 1970s. Beyond a mere architectural trend, this period reflects an urban transformation driven by public investment, resulting...

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Gregg Pasquarelli, founding principal of the renowned architectural firm, SHoP Architects. We will explore how SHoP is challenging both the means and methods for how we design and produce buildings, as well as the archaic structures that guide the practice of architecture today. Pasquarelli will share insights into the firm’s iconic buildings, highlighting the fusion of creativity, technology and technical precision that defines t...

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad engages in a lively conversation with renowned educator and architecture Mohsen Mostafavi. Together, they delve into the rich tapestry of Japan’s social and physical environments, exploring their historical underpinnings, current practices and future possibilities. Throughout its history, the Japanese city ahs served as a complex canvas for a multitude of influences and aspirations. Our discussion will explore how these forces have left their...

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Neuroscientist Colin Ellard, whose work is at the intersection of psychology, architecture and urban design. Through his research, Ellard reveals how our surroundings directly impact our psychological well-being, offering a unique perspective on how we can create more harmonious and engaging environments for our communities. Tune in Friday, October 6th at 11:00 AM EST on the Voice America network for an enlightening conversation t...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will be speaking with Hèléne Chartier, Director of Urban Planning and Design at C40 Cities, a leading global organization dedicated to sustainable urban development. At the forefront of urban sustainability, C40 works tirelessly to forge a path towards Low Carbon Cities, our episode’s central theme. We will delve into the organization’s mission and explore best practice from around the world aimed at creating greener, more sustainable and environm...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with notable lawyer Jeff Bass on the relationship between urban design and its pivotal tool, zoning regulations. The conversation will explore the historical evolution of zoning in America, unveiling its hidden influence on the physical and social fabric of our communities. Bass will delve into the ways that regulatory frameworks wield the power to shape cities and landscapes, foster community cohesion and dictate the interplay between publ...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with acclaimed architect and educator Nader Tehrani. In this illuminating conversation, Tehrani delves into the intricate relationship between material culture and tectonic innovation. He elaborates on the ways that his work seeks to disrupt the construction industry by bridging the gap between the world of ideas and the world of making. Tune in Friday, August 18, 2023 at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America Variety Channel https:...

Architect and urbanist, John Massengale knows how to fix America’s neighborhoods, cities and towns by making them walkable again. In this next episode of ON CITIES, Massengale will share his insights on how good street design can increase happiness, unlock economic value, improve our health and lower our carbon footprint. Tune in Friday, August 4, 2023 at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 PST on the Voice America Variety Channel https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities; and find all previous episodes o...

“All our knowledge has its origin in our perceptions” stated the great Renaissance artist Leonardo Da Vinci. Thus, perception and place are integral in the making of art. In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will speak with acclaimed artist Gonzalo Fuenmayor, whose intricate charcoal drawings and mesmerizing large-scale installations skillfully explore the complexities of place, identity and the interconnectedness of cultures. His mastery of chiaroscuro creates an ethereal atmosphere...

According to the 19th century writer John Ruskin, “The measure of any great civilization is its cities; and the measure of a city’s greatness is to be found in the quality of its public spaces- its parkland and squares.” In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will speak with Meg Daly and Isabel Castilla about the role of contemporary public space in America. High quality public space is vital for the social life of a community, the economic competitiveness and environmental performance...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with educator and architect Matthew Soules on the connection between contemporary architecture and capitalism in the twenty-first century. In his book, Icebergs, Zombies, and the Ultra Thin, Soules uncovers how finance capitalism not only changes architecture but the very nature of our cities and societies. From London’s iceberg mansions to Manhattan’s ultra-thin pencil skyscrapers, Soules discusses how finance shapes what and how we build ...

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Joe Minicozzi, Principal of Urban 3, about the keys to creating financially sustainable communities by design. Minicozzi and his team delve into municipal finances to uncover economic potential that can pave the way for sustainable futures in communities of all sizes. Their eye-opening research reveals a direct link between land value economics and our current building practices. If you are interested in fostering economic growth ...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with esteemed architect, preservationist and educator, Jorge Hernandez. With nearly forty years of experience in the field, Hernandez discusses the integral role of architectural preservation in shaping and revitalizing urban environments. He shares insights on ways to balance development with the need to respect the cultural and historical significance of our built heritage while highlighting the challenges faced by preservationists in nav...

Today, informal settlements are home to over a billion people (nearly 1/7 of the world population); and that number is projected to triple by 2050. These growing settlements are the result of rapid urbanization and present us with both lessons as well as serious challenges for the future of our planet. In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Dr. Janice Perlman, a global expert on urbanization and the informal sector. With over fifty years of experience researching the f...

Racial strife, increased social and economic discrimination, amplified political friction, and growing uncertainty around the impacts of the pandemic and climate change have increased inequalities within the city of Boston. How will these factors influence the city’s future as it nears the celebration of its quadricentennial in 2030? In this episode of ON CITIES, architect and author, David Gamble will address the many challenges facing Boston’s urban future while presenting ways to improve the ...

Join us on the next episode of ON CITIES, as we delve into the work of Liminal, a non-profit research and design group dedicated to revitalizing Italy’s rural towns. We will explore how Liminal leverages the rich cultural and historical heritage of these towns, turning them into hubs of research and innovation. Discover how their multi-disciplinary approach, encompassing urban planning, architecture, economics, urban law and development is searching for cohesive and sustainable solutions to the ...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will be speaking with Léon Krier, one of the most provocative architectural and urban thinkers of our time. Krier’s career has been a long-standing critique of the legacy of modernist city planning; and his revolutionary theories have changed the discourse of what makes a city successful through a return to traditional principles of architecture and town planning and the creation of community. Do not miss what will surely be a memorable conversati...

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Anthony Acciavatti on the complex relationship between water, urban development and environmental sustainability. Acciavatti’s work straddles the realms of landscape, history and technology; and his pioneering research offers invaluable insights on how cities have evolved in relation to groundwater extraction. Join us Friday, May 17th at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST on the Voice America network as we uncover the fascinating journey o...

Acclaimed author, Carolyn Steel joins ON CITIES for a thought-provoking conversation on the relationship between food and cities. The feeding of cities has greater social and physical impact on us and our planet than anything else we do. Yet few of us living in modern cities are conscious of the process. In her books, Hungry City and Sitopia, Steel discusses the history of food production and distribution, the challenges of feeding our growing cities sustainably, and her vision of Sitopia, a new...

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad discusses the evolving concept of domesticity with architect and educator Tatiana Bilbao. Bilbao scrutinizes the traditional norms surrounding our living spaces, reshaping housing into a vibrant canvas that celebrates cultural diversity and drives societal progress. From crafting individual houses to tackling complex social housing projects, Bilbao advocates for dignified and beautiful living environments accessible to all. Join us on Friday,...

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will speak with Francisco Javier Rodríguez-Suárez, architect and current director of the School of Architecture at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The conversation will highlight Rodriguez-Suárez’s dual career as an architect and educator, focusing specifically on the study of the city in the history of architectural pedagogy. Tune in Friday, May 5 at 11:00 AM EST, 8:00 AM PST at https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/4119/on-cities; ...

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will speak with Olivia Ramos, the visionary founder and CEO of Deepblocks, an AI-driven real estate platform that is transforming the way we think about the future development of cities. The conversation will dive into the exciting and rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence and what this means for architects, urban planners, and anyone interested in the future of our built environment. You will not want to miss this conversation, a...