Challenger Cities

Researcher and strategist David Akermanis talks about how young people are navigating a world where traditional financial stability has eroded and cities themselves shape economic life. We explore why the familiar narratives about youth finance, savvy versus reckless, miss the deeper tension underneath. Across stories of early career precarity, the blending of gambling and investing, the limitatio...

Evan Snow, co-founder of Zero Empty Spaces talks about why vacancy in cities isn’t a neutral pause but an active force shaping how we feel, move and connect in urban places. We explore how empty storefronts, abandoned commercial spaces and obsolete interiors drain confidence and disrupt movement, and how creative, low-risk activation can turn them into meaningful places without waiting for the “pe...

In this episode of Challenger Cities , Iain Montgomery talks with journalist and author Simon Kuper about his book Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century and what modern Paris really is beneath its postcard reputation. We start with Simon’s accidental arrival in the city and the surprising affordability and vibrancy Paris once had, and then explore how it has changed into a global powe...

In this episode of Challenger Cities , Iain Montgomery is joined by economist and commentator Peter Ryan for a wide-ranging conversation about Ireland, a country that is often talked about but rarely understood. We dig into why Ireland’s global reputation, from tax haven clichés to headline GDP figures, obscures the lived reality on the ground. Peter unpacks how the country’s early post-independen...

Iain Montgomery and Marcus Mayers discuss the complexities of transport systems, focusing on the balance between passenger experience and operational efficiency. They explore the impact of government regulations, the role of technology, and the need for a mindset shift in transport management. The discussion emphasises the importance of understanding passenger needs, improving accessibility and re...

In this episode of Challenger Cities , we chat with Paul Owens, co-founder of BOP Consulting, long-time collaborator of Charles Landry, and one of the most quietly influential thinkers on culture and cities anywhere in the world. Paul has spent decades helping cities understand something most of them overlook: culture isn’t a sector or an industry, it’s an operating system of a place. It’s who you...

Melissa Bruntlett discusses her book 'Women Changing Cities' and the transformative role of women in urban mobility and planning. She emphasizes the importance of empathy, care, and community engagement in creating sustainable and equitable cities. The discussion covers various global cities, the challenges faced in transportation, and the impact of female leadership on urban change. Bruntlett sha...

This one’s a little different. We sat down with Lady Valeska, a professional dominatrix now based in London, to talk about what cities, workplaces, and leaders could learn from the world of kink. It turns out, quite a lot! We talked about power, shame, permission, and trust, but not in the ways you’d expect. Lady Valeska’s version of dominance isn’t about control, rather it's about awareness. She...

Iain Montgomery and Greg Lindsay explore the intersection of urbanism and technology, discussing how screens and AI are reshaping cities. They delve into the implications of surveillance, the concept of the 15-minute city, and the importance of social equity in urban planning. The discussion also touches on Estonia's digital governance model and the challenges posed by the Saudi urban experiment....

In this conversation, Iain Montgomery and Anupam Yog delve into the concept of urban mindfulness and its implications for city design. They explore how mindfulness can enhance urban living, the importance of community engagement, and the potential of lesser-known cities like Ramsgate as models for transformation. The discussion emphasizes the need for compassion in urban planning and the idea that...

Summary In this conversation, Charles R. Landry discusses the concept of creative cities, emphasizing the importance of imagination, psychology, and human-centered design in urban planning. He explores how cities develop identities, the psychological complexities they face, and the impact of gentrification on urban evolution. Landry highlights the need for spaces that foster connection and the rol...

In this conversation, Iain Montgomery and Rashiq Fataar delve into the complexities of urbanism in South Africa, particularly focusing on Cape Town. Rashiq shares his journey from actuarial science to becoming a self-appointed urbanist, emphasizing the need for innovative urban solutions that address social and spatial inequalities. They discuss the current state of South African cities, the lesso...

In this conversation, Iain Montgomery speaks with Luca Ballarini about Utopian Hours, a festival in Turin that celebrates urbanism and creativity. They discuss Luca's journey from architecture to graphic design, the challenges of transforming urban narratives, and the unique identity of Turin as a city. The conversation highlights the emotional connection people have with their cities and the impo...

aniel Herriges joins us to explore one of the most underestimated levers for better cities: parking reform. A longtime Strong Towns writer and co-author of Escaping the Housing Trap , Daniel explains how the post-war American obsession with car storage has quietly shaped—and often strangled—urban life. From zoning codes that make beloved main streets illegal, to the $127 billion annual subsidy for...

Andy Nulman is a man who’s seen Montreal through every era — and he’s not afraid to call out what’s gone wrong. In this no-holds-barred conversation, the Just for Laughs co-founder shares his frustrations with small-minded politics, lost ambition, and a city that’s forgotten how to dream big. We talk about Montreal’s golden ages, its identity crisis, and what it would take to fix the city’s flow,...

Takeaways Michael Wexler's journey into urbanism began unexpectedly. He transitioned from cycling-focused projects to broader transit planning. Cargo bikes represent a gap in North American urban mobility. Infrastructure is crucial for increasing cycling and cargo bike usage. Copenhagen's cycling culture serves as an inspiration for Montreal. Mulo aims to fill the cargo bike market gap in Montreal...

Exploring Urban Evolution with Diana Lind Join host Iain Montgomery in a captivating conversation with Diana Lind, renowned urbanist and author, as they delve into the complexities of modern cities. From the challenges of zoning reform to the potential of urban public education, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of how cities can transform and thrive. Key Topics: The evolution of cities...

What if commuting from Niagara to Toronto didn’t mean hours in traffic or waiting on a slow, infrequent train? Erika Potrz thinks there’s a better way, and it involves a military‑grade hovercraft gliding across Lake Ontario in just 30 minutes. In this episode, we talk about why Hoverlink could change more than just the QEW commute: from making travel joyful again (yes, DJs on board), to giving peo...

Northern has long been the UK’s biggest rail operator by stations—and one of its most under-loved. But under Alex Hornby, it’s getting a dose of something different: warmth, character, and a clear sense of purpose. In this episode, we talk to Alex about his journey from making buses in Burnley genuinely desirable to leading a railway that serves some of the North’s most complex and underserved pla...

Every city tells itself a story. In Kansas City, it’s one of manageability: there’s parking when you want it, space to drive, and just enough shine in a few key places to make it feel like things are ticking along. But scratch the surface—or take a walk down the streets that aren’t newly polished—and another story emerges. One of unrealised potential, oversized roads, empty sidewalks, and neighbou...

The City’s Recipe Book: Borrow the Technique, Use Your Own Ingredients with Guillermo Bernal Cities don’t work because of glossy plans or polished renderings. They work because people use them, reshape them, and often subvert them in ways no planner predicted. That’s the world Guillermo Bernal inhabits. A political scientist turned place-maker, Guillermo has spent the past decade helping communiti...

What happens when you take someone fluent in corporate innovation and drop them into the world of council-led adult social care? A surprising amount of clarity on what actually counts as value. In this crossover episode, Iain Montgomery is joined by his usual SIDEBAR co‑conspirator, Charlie Rowat, to explore how innovation changes when you swap corporate executives for councillors, consumers for c...

What does it take to make a city work after dark? In this episode, we're speaking with Mathieu Grondin , Ottawa’s first-ever Nightlife Commissioner, about why nightlife isn’t just parties and late bars, it’s infrastructure. The conversation explores why Ottawa created this role, what mid-sized cities can teach their bigger siblings about cultural development, and how better policy can make cities...

The Magnetic, Messy Cities People Don’t Leave — with Sofia Song What actually keeps people in cities? It isn’t just housing supply, transit plans, or economic growth. It’s something far less tangible, emotional connection. In this episode, we speak with Sofia Song, Head of Global Cities Research at Gensler, about the City Pulse study, one of the most ambitious looks at urban life anywhere in the w...

What if cycling policy wasn’t about bike lanes but about joy, dignity, and connection? In this episode of Challenger Cities , we sit down with Michela Grasso — Italian researcher, urbanist, and co-author of the Urban Cycling Manifesto — to explore how cities can rethink mobility through culture, inclusion, and imagination. We talk about: Why benches might matter more than bike lanes. How e-bikes a...