Episodes

How will our cities respond to the rising threats of climate change? Internationally recognized urban designer and co-founder of the New Urbanism movement, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk discusses the two main categories of climate response and the ways they can be implemented to meet the urban and environmental challenges of sea-level rise. Plater-Zyberk will highlight how New Urban principles focus on the design of the built environment to influence changes in behavior that can inspire people to cons...

In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Andrew Frey, Director of the City of Miami's Department of Real Estate. As a former developer and zoning lawyer, Andrew brings a wealth of experience to the table as he discusses the fundamental importance of incremental urbanism. Drawing from his extensive research and collaborations, Andrew articulates the value of small-scale urban development, not only rooted in time-tested principles of good urban design but also supported by...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will dive into the fascinating world of documentary filmmaker and educator, Sanjeev Chatterjee. Chatterjee’s thought-provoking, cinematic vision strives to unite viewers in an increasingly divided world through the exploration of themes that impact us all including climate change, health, urbanization, technology and migration. Tune in on Friday, April 14th at 11:00 am EST, 8:00 AM PST to learn how films can serve as an instrument of advocacy, to ...

Welcome to ON CITIES, where we explore the ways that the design of the built environment shapes the quality of our lives. Today, we will be speaking with Alan Ricks, the co-founder and chief operating officer of MASS Design Group. Established on the belief that architecture is more than just buildings, MASS is a global team of over 200 professionals from diverse disciplines, united by a shared vision of architecture as a force for positive change. With a focus on creating purposeful, healing and...

While in Federal Prison, Dr. Topeka K. Sam witnessed firsthand the epidemic and disparity of incarceration on women. After her release in 2015, and in response to what she saw and learned in prison, Topeka founded The Ladies of Hope Ministries (The LOHM), an organization whose mission is to help disenfranchised and marginalized women transition back into society through affordable housing, education, entrepreneurship, spiritual empowerment, and advocacy. With Vanee Sykes, Topeka developed the vi...

Join us for the next episode of ON CITIES where host Carie Penabad will speak with internationally recognized architect and Dean of the Yale School of Architecture, Deborah Berke. In this episode, Deborah will discuss her career trajectory, design and teaching philosophy and the changing role of architecture in society. The show will explore some of Deborah’s most notable works and the ways that she is shaping the next generation of leaders in the field. The conversation will also touch upon her...

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Victor Dover, co-author of "Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns." In this episode of ON CITIES, we explore critical elements lacking in modern streets, the concept of 'place' and its importance in street design, and the key design elements of great streets. Dover uncovers common misconceptions guiding the work of traffic engineers and highlights overlooked details that can greatly impact street design. From the power of street trees to ...

On this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will speak with award-winning photographer Steven Brooke. The conversation will delve into Brooke’s career, which has spanned four decades and produced over forty books on some of the world’s most iconic cities and landmarks. Through his lens, Brooke captures the beauty and historic significance of buildings, monuments and urban landscapes, showcasing the unique character and cultural heritage of each setting. We’ll hear about Brooke’s inspiration...

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Victor Dover, co-author of "Street Design: The Secret to Great Cities and Towns." In this episode of ON CITIES, we explore critical elements lacking in modern streets, the concept of 'place' and its importance in street design, and the key design elements of great streets. Dover uncovers common misconceptions guiding the work of traffic engineers and highlights overlooked details that can greatly impact street design. From the power of street trees to ...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad will speak with Cathy Leff about the intersection of culture, art and community-building. Drawing from more than thirty years of experience leading cultural institutions in the city of Miami, Leff will share the story of her current work with the Bakehouse Art complex. As a leading incubator for artistic creativity, the Bakehouse enables more than 100 artists to not only create their work but also to share it with the broader community. Leff’s vis...

The stories we shape are largely the result of our physical and cultural contexts. In this episode of ON CITIES, award winning multi-disciplinary writer, journalist and playwright Vanessa Garcia will discuss the themes that shape her creative work through the lens of an American born Cuban (ABC). As an immigrant, she belongs to the space in between two countries – Cuba and the United States. Her work draws on the inherited memories of a displaced homeland while constructing new immersive environ...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with architect and educator George Knight on his preservation work at Yale University. Knight's profound dedication to architectural heritage becomes evident as he meticulously intertwines the past and the present in projects ranging from the restoration of St. Moore Chapel to the iconic Yale British Arts Center designed by Louis Kahn. His work stands as a guardian of history, seamlessly blending tradition with modernity, significantly cont...

Within a few decades seven out of every ten people will be living in urban areas. Now more than ever, the way we build our communities, our neighborhoods and our homes will have a critical impact on our collective safety, comfort, health and well-being. As Dean of the University of Miami School of Architecture, Rodolphe el-Khoury has advanced cutting edge initiatives on Smart and Resilient Cities as well as the ways in which embedded technology will influence all scales of design from objects to...

Urban policy expert and author, Diana Lind joins ON CITIES to discuss her most recent book, Brave New Home: Our Future in Smarter, Simpler, Happier Housing. Described by the New York Times as an invaluable resource that provides a new and revelatory window on a familiar challenge, Brave New Home offers a concise history of single-family housing in America and highlights the social, economic and environmental consequences of our current housing crisis. Lind discusses new housing trends and illust...

Join best-selling author Witold Rybczynski as he returns to ON CITIES to delve into the extraordinary life and groundbreaking work of Frederick Law Olmsted. Hailed as a pioneer in landscape architecture, Olmsted crafted some of America’s most iconic landscapes, including New York’s Central Park and the Emerald Necklace in Boston. Discover how Olmsted's diverse formative experiences in farming, writing, reporting and traveling laid the foundation for his unparalleled career. Explore how his visio...

In the first ON CITIES episode of the new year, host Carie Penabad speaks with renowned author Witold Rybczynski about his latest book, "The Story of Architecture." Rybczynski expertly navigates the vast history of architecture from the Stone Age to the present, showcasing how societal shifts, technological advancements and artistic expression have shaped the world’s greatest buildings. Tune in Friday, January 5th at 11:00 am EST, 8:00 am PST on the Voice America Variety Channel, as Rybczynski s...