A successful city is a lot like a puzzle, but it shouldn’t feel that way for the people living in it. What if walking through a city felt more like an invitation, and less like a challenge? In this episode we explore how sensory design, social design, and inclusive design can transform urban environments into places that are easy to exist in.

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Special thanks to the following sources:

American Psychological Association – Designing cities to improve mental health with Jenny Roe, PhD | Speaking of Psychology

Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health

Making cities mental health friendly for adolescents and young adults, Pamela Y. Collins. et al.

Project for Public Spaces

Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority – Designing our age-friendly city

Social Capital and the Built Environment: The Importance of Walkable Neighborhoods, Kevin M. Leyden

The Uses of Disorder – Richard Sennett

UNICEF Child Friendly Cities

How do cities create stories that stick? In this episode, we explore the art of place branding and the power of iconic campaigns, like the legendary “I ❤️ NY” logo that transformed New York City’s image worldwide. We’ll consider the theory behind place branding and how cities use storytelling to shape their identities, attract visitors, and inspire local pride. From slogans to symbols, discover how branding shapes the way we see and experience places.

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Special thanks to the following sources:

Branding the City: The Democratic Legitimacy of a New Mode of Governance, Jasper Eshuis and Arthur Edwards

City Branding and the Link to Urban Planning: Theories, Practices, and Challenges, Ahmad Bonakdar and Ivonne Audirac

​​Crafting iconic city brands: Geerte Udo on shaping ‘I amsterdam’ - The Place Brand Observer

I Love NY Concept Sketch - Museum of Modern Art

Rescaling through city branding: The case of Amsterdam - The Conversation

The night New York saved itself from bankruptcy - Jeff Nussbaum for The New Yorker

5-Step approach to place branding: Guide for place developers and brand managers - The Place Brand Observer

Welcome back to the StreetsSmart podcast. In this episode, we dive into the complex world of safety in public spaces, exploring the application of the "eyes on the street" philosophy pioneered by urbanist Jane Jacobs. Public surveillance technology, and the ethics upholding these systems, increasingly raise questions about safety and privacy. Who is watching, and are they really keeping us safe? And can community-based vigilance be successful in a world dominated by social hierarchy?

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Special thanks to the following sources:

The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs

The Panopticon Writings, Jeremy Bentham

Beneath the Skyway - 99% Invisible

‘Wilding’ in the West Village: Queer Spaces, Racism and Jane Jacobs Hagiography, Johan Andersson