On Cities

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 urb...

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, Ap...

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 vis...

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, educati...

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 s...

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 hig...

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, showcasi...

 In this next episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Helle Søholt, founding partner and CEO of GEHL. Helle sheds light on GEHL's remarkable journey, challenging conventional urban paradigms and outlining a vision for a more sustainable and community-centric future. Together, we explore the guiding principles that  propel GEHL's transformative projects, unveiling the sensitive solutio...

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 1...

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 w...

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 wo...

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...

In this upcoming episode of ON CITIES, acclaimed author Witold Rybczynski provides a forward-looking perspective on urban planning. Engaging in a discussion with host Carie Penabad, Rybczynski seamlessly weaves historical insights with future predictions, guiding listeners through the evolution of American cities from colonial planning to the 21st-century age of the market. The conversation highli...

In this episode of ON CITIES, AnnaLisa Meyboom will discuss the future of transportation and its impact on urban form. The conversation will focus on multiple scenarios for the integration of autonomous vehicles, the future of electrical vehicle station planning and the ways that well-designed infrastructure can bring social value that far exceeds its initial construction expenditure.   Meyboom wi...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Anthony Garcia, co-author of Tactical Urbanism, an urban design theory that promotes swift, grassroots-driven changes to urban space. Rather than waiting for top-down transformations to cities, Tactical Urbanism empowers individuals and communities to take immediate, tangible steps to reshape their surroundings. From pop-up parks and gue...

What characterizes a Global City? In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with leading sociologist Alejandro Portes on his recent, groundbreaking book: Emerging Global Cities: Origins, Structure and Significance (co-authored with Ariel Armony). Portes discusses the unexpected rise of Dubai, Miami and Singapore, and how these three cities have achieved newfound global prominence thr...

Cities have largely been imagined by architects and planners as permanent entities.   Today, this basic assumption is being challenged as a result of the massive rise of "informalization"; dramatic shifts in global demographics; and the intensification of pilgrimage practices that more frequently construct temporal settlements for hosting massive gatherings.   In this episode of ON CITIES, Rahul M...

What are the characteristics of great neighborhoods; and why do they continue to be one of the most important elements of city building and community identity today?   In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad engages in a thought-provoking conversation with urban designer Juan Mullerat, delving into the successful strategies and innovative approaches employed in the process of revitalizing...

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 en...

In this exploration of American cultural landscapes, host Carie Penabad speaks with Yale urban historian Elihu Rubin, as he delves into the dynamic forces shaping everyday places and the evolving nature of the built environment.   Using New Haven and Boston as a canvas, Rubin highlights the interplay between society, economics and urban change, uncovering what elements contribute to the vitality o...

Can the creation of sustainable, human-scaled places help us lead healthier, happier lives? Renowned urban designer, Andres Duany thinks so.   For over 30 years, Duany has been at the forefront of the New Urbanism, a movement promoting mixed-use, traditional neighborhood planning over the segregated-use suburban sprawl seen worldwide.   His design philosophy has advocated for urban growth through...

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, wri...

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 Fr...

 In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad speaks with Rosa Lowinger, a leading voice in the conservation of modern heritage and an acclaimed author whose work sheds light on the stories embedded in our built environment.  From safeguarding iconic mid-century structures to writing compelling narratives that bridge history and culture, Rosa's insights reveal why preserving our architectural...

In this episode of ON CITIES, host Carie Penabad  explores the life and work of Cuban-American artist Emilio Sánchez with architectural historian and author Victor Deupi. Known for his bold use of color, striking contrasts of light and shadow, and powerful portrayals of vernacular architecture, Sánchez's art is both a visual and emotional exploration of place. His work offers a unique perspective...