Booked on Planning

The ground beneath our cities is shifting—literally in coastal areas facing sea level rise, but also conceptually as we grapple with what urbanism means in an era of profound environmental, technological, and social transformation. 

Stephanie Wakefield's provocative exploration of Miami as a laboratory for climate adaptation challenges us to completely rethink how we imagine urban futures. Moving beyond simplistic nar...

Resilience is much more than just bouncing back after a disaster. Over the past decade, as climate impacts have intensified, our understanding of what makes communities truly resilient has evolved dramatically. In this conversation with Laurie Mazur, editor of Island Press's "Resilience Matters: 10 Years of Transformative Thinking," we explore how climate resilience has transformed from buzzword to essential framewor...

Addiction, mental illness, or poverty may explain why an individual may lose their housing—but these factors fail to explain why Seattle has five times more homelessness than Chicago. Through rigorous analysis, Colburn demonstrates that high rent prices and low vacancy rates are the true culprits behind regional homelessness variations. This revelation transforms how we should approach solutions.

Colburn advocates reframin...

What if shopping malls weren't just retail spaces, but carefully designed social hubs that reveal profound truths about American culture? Alexandra Lange's "Meet Me by the Fountain" takes us on a fascinating journey through the unexpected origins and evolution of one of America's most influential architectural forms.

Throughout our conversation, Lange uncovers surprising connections between malls a...

Libraries have always been pillars of knowledge in our communities, but their role is evolving far beyond book repositories. As author Shamichael Hallman reveals, these vital public institutions now serve as rare neutral spaces where people from all backgrounds can gather, connect, and rebuild the civic muscles we've lost in our increasingly polarized society.

What makes libraries uniquely positioned for this work? Fi...

A new perspective on preservation is the topic of our conversation with Erica Avrami on her groundbreaking book "Second Order Preservation." This episode challenges everything you thought you knew about historic preservation, pushing beyond the binary "listed or not listed" mentality that has dominated the field for decades.

What happens when we shift from seeing preservation as merely saving buildings ...

Join us as we discuss the world of systems thinking with Beth Sawin author of "Multisolving: Creating Systems Change in a Fractured World." Far from being an abstract academic concept, multisolving offers a practical framework that reveals how seemingly separate challenges—from climate change to public health to economic development—can be addressed simultaneously with thoughtfully designed interventions.

Beth ta...

The world of planning is transforming at a rapid pace, and staying ahead requires more than just reacting to change—it demands foresight. In this conversation, we welcome back Petra Hurtado to discuss the American Planning Association's 2025 Trend Report, now in its fourth year of helping planners anticipate the forces reshaping our communities.

Petra highlights how "the only constant is accelerating change,"...

This episode captures a vision of creating resilient communities that are not only eco-friendly but also accessible and inviting. We explore the five central themes of "The Sustainable Urban Design Handbook," with author Kaarin Knudson's, offering insights on energy efficiency, community connectivity, and innovative design strategies that cater to diverse urban settings.

Show Notes:

• To help support the sh...

Steven Robinson joins us to unravel the captivating saga of how dedicated activists thwarted the massive 1990s Television City development on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Imagine the world's tallest building casting a shadow over a vibrant community, threatening its cultural and environmental essence. Our conversation with Robinson shines a spotlight on the resilience and ingenuity of local groups like West Pride and the ...

In this episode we sit down with Michael Eliason, the architect behind "Building for People: Designing Livable, Affordable, Low-Carbon Communities." Michael unveils the potential of eco-districts as a transformative alternative to the all-too-often car-centric and monotonous transit-oriented developments found in the U.S. Drawing from his extensive research in Europe and China, he casts a spotlight on how cities prioritiz...

Have you ever stopped to consider how you would get through your day if driving wasn't an option? We get into this question during our conversation with Anna Zivarts, author of "When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away From Car Dependency." Anna's journey, shaped by living with nystagmus, unveils the challenges and daily realities faced by non-drivers in a predominantly car-dependent society. From disabled i...

Author Alison Sant joins us to discuss the transformations needed in urban settings to combat climate change and systemic racism. Her book, "From the Ground Up: Local Efforts to Create Resilient Cities," serves as a lens through which we examine the impact of historical policies that have shaped today's urban landscapes. Together, we reveal how cities like New Orleans and Baltimore are grappling with these issues and...

Could corporate disinformation be quietly steering our perceptions and political actions? Join us as we engage with Grant Ennis, the author of "Dark PR: How Corporate Disinformation Undermines Our Health and the Environment." Ennis sheds light on the sophisticated strategies corporations use to manipulate public narratives and divert attention from crucial political actions. We discuss how framing influences discourse and...

In our latest episode we are joined by Sara Bronin, the brilliant mind behind "Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World." With a blend of historical insight and visionary thinking, Sara navigates the intricate world of zoning, advocating for strategic enhancements rather than radical abolition. Imagine neighborhoods unshackled from outdated regulations, poised for vibrant growth and adaptability. Discover how zoning c...

Ever heard of the MUTCD? Most have not, but this influential document has been shaping U.S. road design since 1935, often prioritizing vehicle flow at the expense of pedestrian safety. We break down the controversial 85th percentile rule, which can lead to increased speed limits, and discuss how the MUTCD hinders creative urban design solutions like decorative crosswalks through our review of Sarah Bronin and Gregory Schill's ...

Why are our roads unsafe, and who is to blame? Transportation expert Wes Marshall joins us to unravel the myths behind traffic engineering, revealing a surprising truth: the science we trust to keep us safe on the road might be more fiction than fact. With his provocative book "Killed by a Traffic Engineer: Shattering the Delusion that Science Underlies Our Transportation System," Wes aims to spark a critical reevaluation...

We discuss the potential of high-performance buildings as we sit down with Robert Sroufe, Craig Stevenson, and Beth Eckenrode, the minds behind "The Power of Existing Buildings." Imagine transforming existing structures into sustainable powerhouses by prioritizing passive systems, upgrading active systems, and embracing renewables in that order. Our conversation dismantles the myth of prohibitive costs in building redevel...

Consider a new way to transform communities with insights from Mack McCarter, author of "How to Remake the World, Neighborhood by Neighborhood." Discover how positive relationships can serve as the foundation for thriving communities and address the age-old issue of societal collapse. By learning from historical studies and successful community initiatives, you'll gain a fresh perspective on fostering resilience and ...