Future Forward

We are taking a summer break and can't wait to get back in a few weeks to share a new slate of exciting episodes about the future of cities and communities. 

summary In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the concept of cities as learning organisms, discussing how they can adapt and improve through feedback from their residents. They delve into historical examples of urban planning failures, current challenges in feedback mechanisms, and emerging innovations in city governance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of participatory governance, dig...

museums, cities, cultural impact, economic contribution, community engagement, historical significance, challenges, future of museums, urban development, cultural heritage Summary In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the multifaceted role of museums in cities, discussing their historical significance, present-day impact, and the challenges they face. They delve into the economic contributions of...

In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi Fabode and Reza discuss the unintended positive consequences of urban design changes, focusing on curb cuts, protected bike lanes, pedestrian-only zones, accessible public restrooms, and audible pedestrian signals. They explore how these changes, initially aimed at specific groups, end up benefiting the broader community, enhancing safety, accessibility, and...

In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the future of airports and their integration into urban environments. They discuss personal memories of airports, the evolution of airports from simple transport nodes to complex economic engines, and the challenges faced by airports today. Through case studies of Heathrow and Navi Mumbai airports, they highlight the balance between expansion and community im...

San Antonio, urban growth, historical context, tourism, infrastructure, social equity, strategic foresight, urban sustainability, economic dynamics, future scenarios summary In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi Fabode and Reza explore the urban landscape of San Antonio, Texas, discussing its historical roots, present-day challenges, and future possibilities. They delve into the city's growth, e...

Atlanta, future, urban development, transportation, demographics, water resilience, governance, case studies, city planning, sustainability summary In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the future of Atlanta by examining its historical context, current demographics, and challenges. They discuss significant case studies, including Lake Lanier's water resilience issues and Alpharetta's suburban gro...

stadiums, community, economic impact, urban design, sports, belonging, future of stadiums, case studies, civic identity, sustainability summary In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi Fabode and Reza explore the evolution and future of stadiums, discussing their historical significance, economic impact, and role in fostering community and belonging. They delve into case studies of Q2 Stadium in Au...

AI, energy infrastructure, data centers, urban planning, sustainability, technology demands, community impact, policy recommendations, future foresight, renewable energy summary In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza discuss the hidden costs of AI, particularly focusing on the energy demands of data centers and the implications for urban infrastructure. Seyi shares his extensive experien...

Antalya, Kemer, travel, urban planning, sustainability, cultural experiences, community resilience, tourism, historical cities, Future Forward summary In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the cities of Antalya and Kemer in Turkey, discussing their historical significance, present-day tourism, cultural interactions, and community resilience. They delve into urban planning and su...

In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the evolution and future of restaurants, discussing their historical significance, current trends, and the impact of COVID-19. They highlight the importance of community in dining experiences and examine case studies of notable restaurants that have shaped their communities. The conversation also delves into future predictions for the restau...

In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the future of greener buildings, discussing the historical context of the green building movement, the current state of building sustainability, and two case studies: the retrofit of the British Library and the innovative design of The Edge in the Netherlands. They also share expert insights and predictions for the next generation of green buildings, emphasiz...

In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the transformation of London from 2008 to the present, focusing on urban density, regeneration projects, and the impacts of COVID-19 and Brexit. They discuss key infrastructure developments, the challenges faced by Londoners, and the city's future prospects as a global city. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, sustainabl...

In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the concept of the 15-minute city, discussing its historical context, the impact of urban planning on community, and the importance of social equity in urban development. They highlight the challenges of implementing such cities and emphasize the need for strategic foresight in designing future urban environments that prioritize human scale...

In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the concept of smarter cities, discussing the evolution from traditional smart cities to more inclusive and community-focused urban environments. They delve into the historical context of smart city initiatives, cautionary tales like the Sidewalk Labs project in Toronto, and successful examples from cities like Barcelona, Seoul, and Curitiba...

This conversation delves into the future of megacities, exploring their historical context, current challenges, and potential opportunities. The hosts discuss the rapid urbanization trends, the strain on infrastructure, and the socio-economic inequalities that megacities face. They also highlight the importance of sustainable practices and regional cooperation in urban planning, while projecting f...

In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore five pivotal events that have reshaped urban environments. They discuss the impact of cars on city planning, the rise of suburbia, the phenomenon of urbanization and mega cities, the influence of climate change on urban resilience, and the transformative effects of COVID-19 on urban spaces. Through these discussions, they highlight the impor...

In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the vibrant city of Mumbai, discussing its rich history, current challenges, and future opportunities. They delve into the city's transformation from a group of islands to a bustling metropolis, highlighting significant infrastructure projects and the ongoing Dharavi redevelopment. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community inte...

resilience, community, organizational culture, human connection, public spaces, urban greening, participatory governance, well-being, stress management, social cohesion summary In this conversation, Seyi, Reza, and Chris Tamjidi explore the concept of resilience from individual, organizational, and community perspectives. They discuss how resilience is not merely about enduring stress but involves...

cities, urban planning, community engagement, creativity, book writing, sustainable communities, poetry, storytelling, expertise, curiosity summary In this conversation, Seyi and Reza discuss their upcoming book about cities, inspired by the lack of existing literature that resonates with their vision. They emphasize a unique approach that combines storytelling, poetry, and community engagement, a...

In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Preston Mendenhall discuss Tatu City, a new urban development in Kenya. Preston shares insights into the vision behind Tatu City, its integration with local communities, and the importance of sustainable infrastructure. The conversation explores the economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, the challenges of urbanization, and the innovative solutions being...

sustainable energy, transmission grids, electricity demand, microgeneration, renewable energy, AI in energy, Texas grid, energy innovation, energy policy, energy efficiency summary In this conversation, Reza and Doug Lewin explore the future of the energy grid, emphasizing the critical role of transmission grids in sustainable energy. Doug shares his journey from education to energy policy, highli...

data centers, AI, urban infrastructure, power consumption, economic impact, environmental sustainability, technology evolution, urban planning, energy efficiency, future foresight summary In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the intersection of data centers and AI, discussing their historical evolution, current infrastructure demands, and future implications for urban environments. They delve in...

architecture, community, sustainability, design, ethics, urban development, data, teaching, cultural expression, storytelling summary In this episode of Future Forward, hosts Seyi and Reza engage with architect Darshan Shah to explore the future of architecture, emphasizing the importance of community, sustainability, and ethical design. Darshan shares his journey from agricultural engineering to...

In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the concept of company towns, tracing their historical roots from the Industrial Revolution to modern examples like Tesla's Starbase and Toyota's Woven City. They discuss the implications of these developments on urban sustainability, the importance of economic diversity, and the need for regional cooperation. The conversation also touches on the laws governi...