The Century of Cities

George Johnston, Founder and CEO of Tech City Ventures, joins us on The Century of Cities to unpack how exponential technologies are rewriting the urban playbook. From the early days of personal computing to the fast-approaching era of AI, quantum, and sovereign data ecosystems, George says we're shifting from an age of information to an age of wisdom. He introduces the concept of "exponential cit...

The Century of Cities welcomes Hila Oren, CEO of the Tel Aviv Foundation and founder of Tel Aviv Global. A driving force behind Tel Aviv's innovation journey, Hila has redefined what it means to build a social city. From its "nonstop city" branding in the 1980s to a future shaped by climate pressures, cutting-edge tech, and deep communal resilience, Hila shares how Tel Aviv's DNA, rooted in bold f...

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we welcome Joe Berridge, Partner at Urban Strategies and one of the world's most sought-after city-makers. Joe reveals the secret sauce behind some of the world's most dynamic urban transformations. From Toronto to Manchester, Joe shares candid insights from decades spent shaping global cities' skylines, transit systems, and vibrant downtowns. He explores...

Michele Acuto, Pro-Vice Chancellor & Vice President and Professor of Urban Resilience at the University of Bristol, joins The Century of Cities to challenge us to rethink cities as more than just clusters of buildings and infrastructure. He reveals how urban centers wield diplomatic power, drive innovation, and tackle challenges from climate change to public health. From the rise of city diplomacy...

The Century of Cities welcomes Tim Moonen, Co-Founder & Managing Director of The Business of Cities. Tim traces the profound shifts in urban life, from the 3,000 cities of 1980 to the 10,000 cities shaping today's global economy. Cities have become highly intentional about positioning in a competitive world, adapting to economic globalization, sustainability pressures, and technological advances....

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we welcome Congressman Earl Blumenauer (Retired), a lawyer, author, and politician who served as the U.S. representative for Oregon's 3rd congressional district from 1996 to January 2025. Portland's bold approach to urban planning, transit, and sustainability has made it a global model for livability. Blumenauer has been at the forefront of this transforma...

Uwe S. Brandes, professor of the practice, faculty director of the Urban & Regional Planning Program and faculty director of the Georgetown Global Cities Initiative, joins The Century of Cities to explore the forces shaping urbanization. From the rise of megacities to the impact of climate change, shifting economies, and the evolving role of universities in urban research, Uwe offers a rare long-v...

The Century of Cities welcomes Enid Slack, Director of the Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance (IMFG) at the University of Toronto School of Cities to unpack Canadian cities' past, present, and future. From Toronto's once-hailed two-tier system to today's mounting financial pressures, she explores the structural challenges cities face, including aging infrastructure, climate change, hous...

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we welcome Dan Hoornweg, Associate Professor at Ontario Tech University and former World Bank lead advisor on sustainable cities and climate change. Dan shares insights from his book, The Halftime Report , which explores 200 years of urbanization, from 1920 to 2120 and what lies ahead for cities worldwide. From the looming peak of global population in 2080...

Tom Wright, President and CEO of Regional Plan Association (RPA), the nation's oldest independent metropolitan research, planning, and advocacy organization, joins The Century of Cities to discuss New York's transformation over the decades. He examines how suburbanization, economic downturns, major crises, and urban investments have shaped the city. From its near-collapse in the 1970s to its recov...

The Century of Cities welcomes Angélica Figueroa Valenzuela, an architect, urban planner, and leader in Chile's public sector. She takes us inside the transformation of Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción, cities shaped by economic crises, earthquakes, and bold urban innovations. From tackling housing shortages to building Latin America's largest fleet of electric buses, Chile has shifted its urb...

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we're joined by Diana Rodríguez Franco, Special Advisor on Gender and Diversity at the Inter-American Development Bank and former Secretary for Women's Affairs in Bogotá. With nearly two decades of experience in gender equality and human rights, Diana has been at the forefront of rethinking urban spaces to serve women better. One of her most impactful cont...

Alfonso Vegara, founder and honorary president of Fundación Metropoli and a global leader in urban and regional planning, joins The Century of Cities to share groundbreaking concepts like urban acupuncture, territorial diamonds, and polycentric cities shaping urban development's future. From Spain's urban transformation post-dictatorship to pioneering sustainable projects in Latin America, Asia, a...

The Century of Cities welcomes  Bárbara Pons Giner, CEO of Barcelona Regional and Commissioner of Strategic Projects and the 2030 Agenda of the Barcelona City Council . She takes us through Barcelona's transformation from its pre-Olympic era to its future as a global leader in urban innovation. A city with a long history of pioneering urbanism, Barcelona is now facing the challenges of balancing i...

In this episode of The Century of Cities, Geerte Udo, former CEO of amsterdam&partners, shares her insights on Amsterdam's evolution and the challenges of creating a livable, lovable, and prosperous city. From the struggles of the 1980s to today's strategic focus on quality over quantity, Geerte explains how Amsterdam transitioned from a struggling urban center to a thriving, innovative metropolis...

Idoia Postigo, Director General of Bilbao Metropoli-30, joins us for the latest episode of The Century of Cities. Idoia takes us through Bilbao's remarkable transformation. From the industrial collapse and environmental degradation of the 1980s to the city's innovative and collaborative revitalization, she provides an insider's perspective on the bold strategies that helped Bilbao rise again. Draw...

The Century of Cities welcomes Matti Bunzl, an author, anthropologist, and Director of the Wien Museum. Vienna's story is one of dramatic contrasts; once a global cultural powerhouse, it faced decline after two world wars. It hit a low point in 1980 with a dwindling population and limited vibrancy. Matti sheds light on how Vienna reversed its fortunes, transforming into a magnet for international...

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we speak with Jorn Verbeeck, a global sustainability consultant with over 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors. Jorn's journey, from his early days as a journalist to advising the city of Antwerp and tackling global sustainability challenges, offers a unique look at the evolution of urban spaces. Jorn explores how cities like Barcel...

Susan Goeransson, a renowned municipal finance expert and former leader at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), joins us for the latest episode of The Century of Cities. Susan shares her remarkable 30-year journey of driving change in urban infrastructure across Central and Eastern Europe, transforming cities through innovative municipal finance and green investment program...

The Century of the Cities welcomes André Sobczak, the Secretary General of Eurocities, the leading network of over 200 European cities. André shares a compelling story of urban evolution, from the formation of Eurocities in the 1980s to the pivotal role cities now play in tackling climate change, social inclusion, and housing crises. Discover how European mayors are shaping the future through coll...

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we sit down with Hitesh Vaidya, an esteemed urban strategist and member of the Kerala Urban Policy Commission. Hitesh traces India's remarkable journey from its rural roots in 1980 to a visionary 2080, where cities are projected to drive 80% of the GDP. He offers compelling insights into the rise of second-tier cities, the development of industrial corrido...

Bimal Patel is a renowned architect, urbanist, and former president of CEPT University who joins us for the latest episode of The Century of Cities. He takes us through India's economic and urban evolution, from the stagnation of the 1980s to the liberalization of the 1990s, when cities started to be recognized as essential engines of economic growth. Bimal discusses India's unique suburban morpho...

The Century of Cities welcomes Sheela Patel, director of the Society for Promotion of Area Resource Centres (SPARC), who shares decades of experience working with urban low-income communities in India. From the evolution of women's collectives to the systemic barriers of urbanization, Sheela offers an intimate look at how grassroots efforts have reshaped housing and infrastructure policy. Her care...

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we sit down with Barjor Mehta, President of CEPT University and former Lead Urban Specialist at the World Bank, to explore India's journey through urbanization. Barjor reflects on the missteps of the 1980s, the turning point of the 1990s, and the opportunities and challenges ahead as India becomes a higher-middle-income country by 2080. From the rise of ne...

Vidyadhar Phatak is a legendary figure in urban planning with a career spanning 57 years who joins us on the latest episode of The Century of Cities. As the former Dean of CEPT University and Chief Planner at the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, Vidyadhar explores the challenges and opportunities of rapid urbanization, the shifting growth dynamics from colonial port cities to emer...