If you’re into cities, like really into them, then you know there’s always something new to learn. Whether it’s about how they’re built, how people get around, or just the cool stuff that makes each place unique, there’s a lot to dig into. Good news: there are tons of podcasts about cities that can give you the inside scoop. They cover everything from big picture planning to the small, everyday things that make urban life tick. So, if you’re looking to explore the world of cities from your headphones, you’re in the right spot.
Key Takeaways
- Podcasts about cities offer a fresh look at urban culture and local stories.
- They often cover major urban challenges like housing, transportation, and green living.
- Many shows feature talks with city planners and experts who know a lot about city policies.
- Listeners can hear different views from people living in cities and compare cities around the world.
- The best podcasts include both new finds and some long-time favorites for city fans.
1. 99% Invisible
This podcast explores the hidden aspects of design and architecture that shape our daily lives, often in ways we don’t even notice. It’s a deep dive into the thought processes behind the built environment, from the seemingly mundane to the truly monumental. Roman Mars, the host, has a knack for uncovering fascinating stories about how things are made, why they look the way they do, and the impact they have on people.
What Makes It Stand Out?
- Focus on the Unseen: The show excels at revealing the design decisions and historical contexts that are often overlooked. It’s about the 99% of design that is, well, invisible.
- Storytelling Excellence: Each episode is a masterclass in narrative, weaving together interviews, soundscapes, and historical facts into a compelling audio experience.
- Broad Scope: While rooted in design and architecture, the topics covered are incredibly diverse, touching on urban planning, infrastructure, and even social dynamics influenced by design.
The podcast often highlights how seemingly small design choices can have large, unforeseen consequences on how people interact with their surroundings. It’s a reminder that every element of our cities, from the street signs to the sewer systems, was intentionally designed, and those designs carry a story.
Key Themes Explored
- Urban Planning and Infrastructure: Many episodes delve into the complexities of city planning, examining everything from the design of public spaces to the evolution of transportation systems. For example, one episode might discuss the history of sidewalks, while another explores the design of airports.
- Architectural History: The podcast frequently explores the historical context of various architectural styles and significant buildings, explaining how societal changes and technological advancements influenced their creation.
- Everyday Objects and Systems: Beyond grand structures, 99% Invisible also shines a light on the design of common objects and systems, revealing the ingenuity and often surprising stories behind them. This could include anything from the design of traffic lights to the layout of grocery stores.
Why Urban Explorers Will Love It
For anyone interested in cities, this podcast offers a unique lens through which to view the urban landscape. It encourages listeners to look closer at their surroundings and to appreciate the intricate layers of design that make up a city. It’s not just about what a building looks like, but why it looks that way, and what stories it holds. The podcast provides a rich context for understanding the places we inhabit, making every walk through a city a more informed and engaging experience. For instance, understanding the historical development of a neighborhood, like the one explored in West Oakland’s history, can deepen one’s appreciation for its current form and challenges.
2. The Urbanist
This podcast, produced by Monocle, offers a global perspective on urban development. It looks at how cities around the world are changing and what makes them work well. The show covers a wide range of topics, from new technology in urban spaces to public transportation systems and housing solutions. It’s a good listen for anyone interested in how different places handle city life.
The Urbanist often features interviews with city leaders, architects, and planners. They talk about real-world projects and ideas that are shaping urban environments. This approach helps listeners understand the practical side of city planning and design.
Some common themes explored include:
- Innovative urban design concepts
- Public transport advancements
- Sustainable city initiatives
- Housing affordability challenges
- Cultural aspects of city living
This podcast is a nominee in the Smartest Podcast category of the 2019 British Podcast awards. It’s a good resource for understanding global urban trends. For another perspective on urban planning, consider checking out The Urbanist Agenda, which also discusses current topics in the field.
3. The City
"The City" podcast, produced by Next City, offers a character-driven look at the individuals, organizations, and movements working to improve urban areas everywhere. This podcast provides a different perspective for city enthusiasts who want to understand how change happens from the ground up, rather than just from top-down policies. It’s about the real stories of people making a difference in their communities. It’s a good listen if you’re interested in the human side of urban development and how local efforts can lead to significant transformations. The podcast often highlights specific projects and the challenges and successes involved in bringing them to life. It’s not just about grand plans; it’s about the nitty-gritty of making things happen in a city. You can find this podcast on various platforms, including Apple, Spotify, and Goodpods. It’s a great way to hear about the practical side of urban improvement and the dedication of those involved. Douglas Stuart McDaniel is an urbanist who explores forces shaping our urban future.
4. Metropolis Now
Metropolis Now is a podcast that looks at the big picture of cities, especially focusing on African cities. It talks about how things like fast growth, health issues, climate change, not enough buildings, and new technology are changing these places. The show tries to figure out how African cities can become good places to live and work, and how they can last a long time.
The podcast explores how major forces are shaping the future of urban environments. It’s not just about what’s happening now, but also what needs to happen for cities to be sustainable and livable in the future. The host, Daniel Claassen, guides listeners through these complex topics.
The podcast often discusses the urgent need for cities to adapt to new challenges. It highlights how various global and local factors create pressure for urban areas to evolve, pushing for innovative solutions in planning and development.
Here are some of the key themes often discussed:
- Rapid urbanization and its effects on infrastructure.
- The impact of health crises on city planning and public spaces.
- Strategies for climate change adaptation within urban settings.
- The role of technology in creating smarter, more efficient cities.
Metropolis Now is produced by Dan at Future Cities Africa. The average episode length is around 26 minutes, making it a good listen for those who want to stay informed about urban development without committing to very long episodes. The podcast also has a presence on social media, with a notable following on Twitter. For those interested in the future of urban spaces, particularly in Africa, this podcast offers a lot to think about. It’s a good resource for understanding the challenges and opportunities impacting urban development.
5. Urban Futures
This podcast looks at what cities might be like in the years to come. It covers a lot of ground, from new technologies to how people will live and work in urban areas. The show often brings in experts to talk about their ideas and research. It’s a good listen if you’re curious about the big picture of city development.
The podcast often explores how current trends might shape the urban landscape of tomorrow. It’s not just about predicting the future, but also about understanding the forces that are already at play.
Thinking about the future of cities means considering how we can build places that are both functional and enjoyable for everyone. It’s about more than just buildings; it’s about communities and how they evolve.
Some topics you might hear about include:
- The impact of climate change on urban design.
- New ways of thinking about public transportation.
- How technology might change daily life in cities.
The Role of Technology in Future Cities
Technology is a big part of any discussion about the future. This podcast often talks about how things like artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and advanced communication systems could change how cities operate. It’s not just about making things more efficient; it’s also about creating new possibilities for urban living. For example, they might discuss how smart city innovations are being implemented today.
- Discussions on data use for city planning.
- Exploration of interconnected urban systems.
- The potential for automated services in cities.
Sustainable Urban Development
Sustainability is a key theme when looking at urban futures. The podcast often covers how cities can become more environmentally friendly and resilient. This includes topics like renewable energy, green infrastructure, and waste management. It’s about finding ways for cities to grow without harming the planet.
- Strategies for reducing urban carbon footprints.
- The importance of green spaces in city planning.
- Innovations in resource management for urban areas.
Social Equity in Urban Planning
Another important aspect of urban futures is making sure that cities are fair and accessible for everyone. This podcast sometimes delves into how urban planning can address issues of inequality and promote social justice. It’s about creating cities where all residents have opportunities and a good quality of life.
- Discussions on affordable housing solutions.
- The role of community engagement in city projects.
- Ways to improve access to services for all residents.
6. Talking Headways
Talking Headways is a podcast that dives into the complex world of urban transportation and planning. It’s a joint effort from Streetsblog USA and Jeff Wood of The Overhead Wire, and it really gets into the nitty-gritty of how cities move and function. They cover a lot of ground, from public transit systems to pedestrian infrastructure and everything in between.
The podcast often features interviews with experts in the field, including urban planners, transportation engineers, and policy makers. This approach provides listeners with a variety of perspectives on current issues and future trends in urban development. It’s a good way to hear directly from people who are shaping our cities.
Here are some common topics you might hear discussed:
- The impact of new technologies on urban mobility
- Challenges and solutions for sustainable transportation
- Policy debates surrounding urban planning initiatives
- Case studies of successful and unsuccessful city projects
If you’re interested in the mechanics of how cities are built and how people get around in them, this podcast offers a lot of insight. It’s a solid resource for anyone looking to understand the forces that shape our urban environments. You can find Talking Headways on most major podcast platforms.
7. The Strong Towns Podcast
The podcast often challenges traditional urban planning ideas, suggesting that many common practices actually weaken communities over time. They advocate for a more incremental, bottom-up approach to development, where small, consistent investments can lead to significant, lasting improvements.
The podcast emphasizes that a community’s financial health is directly tied to its physical design and how people interact with their surroundings. They explore various topics, including:
- The true cost of suburban sprawl and car-dependent development.
- Strategies for building wealth at the local level.
- The importance of walkable neighborhoods and mixed-use areas.
- How to fund and maintain essential infrastructure without relying on unsustainable growth.
This podcast is a good listen for anyone interested in urban planning, local economics, or just making their town a better place to live. It provides a different way of thinking about how our cities and towns are built and managed, and it often gives listeners concrete ideas they can apply in their own communities. You can find out more about their approach to financially strengthen cities on their website.
8. Urbanism Speakeasy
This podcast, hosted by Mikael Colville-Andersen, dives into the complexities of urban life and design. It’s a good listen for anyone interested in how cities function and evolve. Colville-Andersen, known for his work on bicycle urbanism, brings a unique perspective to the discussions, often challenging conventional wisdom about city planning. The episodes are usually around an hour long, giving him plenty of time to explore topics in detail. You’ll find that the conversations often touch on:
- The role of design in shaping human behavior in public spaces.
- The importance of prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists in urban development.
- How historical urban planning decisions still impact modern cities.
The podcast often features interviews with architects, planners, and sociologists, providing a range of viewpoints on urban challenges and solutions. It’s not just about theory; they often discuss practical examples from cities around the world, showing what works and what doesn’t. It’s a great way to hear different ideas about how to make cities better places to live. If you’re into board games that involve strategy and planning, you might find some parallels in the way urban spaces are designed and optimized.
9. CityLab’s The D.C. Politics Podcast
This podcast, from Bloomberg CityLab, offers a focused look at the political landscape of Washington D.C., but its insights often extend beyond the capital. It explores how local politics shape urban development and daily life, providing a template for understanding similar dynamics in other major cities. The show frequently features interviews with policymakers, community organizers, and journalists, giving listeners a direct line to the people making decisions and those affected by them. It’s not just about the headlines; it’s about the underlying forces that drive urban policy.
The podcast does a good job of breaking down complex political issues into understandable segments. It helps listeners connect the dots between local government actions and their real-world impact on city residents. This approach makes it a valuable resource for anyone interested in how urban areas are governed.
Key themes often discussed include:
- Affordable housing initiatives and their challenges.
- Public transportation projects and funding debates.
- Community engagement in local governance.
- The interplay between federal and local policies.
While the focus is on D.C., the discussions often highlight universal urban challenges and potential solutions. It’s a good listen for anyone who wants to understand the mechanics of city politics, regardless of where they live.
10. Goodpods
Wrapping Up Your Urban Podcast Journey
So, there you have it. Podcasts about cities are a really good way to learn about urban life. They cover everything from how cities are planned to their culture, and even the problems they face today. Whether you’re just curious about a city’s past or want to hear stories from people who live there, there’s a podcast for you. As you listen, you’ll not only learn new things but also get ideas to help your own community. So, put on your headphones, press play, and start finding out about the lively world of urban living through these shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of things do podcasts about cities usually talk about?
Podcasts about cities talk about many things related to city life. They cover topics like city planning, buildings, how people get around, housing, culture, and the environment. Some podcasts focus on specific cities or neighborhoods, while others look at bigger issues that affect many cities, like rising housing costs or the good things about city parks.
Can these podcasts help me understand city problems and how to solve them?
Yes! Podcasts about cities are really good for learning about city problems and how to fix them. They often have talks with smart people who share what they know and tell stories about how cities are solving tough problems. If you want to learn about city poverty or how to make cities better places to live, these podcasts can help you understand and feel inspired.
How can I listen to podcasts about cities?
You can find podcasts about cities on many places, like Goodpods.com. You can look for a specific show or search through different groups to find ones you like. Once you find a podcast you enjoy, you can listen to episodes whenever you want or sign up to get new episodes automatically.
Are podcasts about cities for everyone?
Many podcasts about cities are made for anyone who is interested in city life. But it’s good to pick ones that match what you like. Some might be more technical, while others are easier to understand. Reading what the podcast is about and what other people say can help you find the right one for you.
Do these podcasts feature interviews with city planners or experts?
Absolutely! Many podcasts about cities include interviews with people who work in city planning, experts, and even regular folks who live in the city. They share their thoughts and experiences, which helps listeners get a full picture of city life from different angles.
Do any of these podcasts compare cities from different parts of the world?
Yes, some podcasts about cities compare different cities around the world. They look at how cities in different countries handle similar problems, like traffic or housing. This helps listeners see how cities everywhere are alike and different, and what we can learn from each other.
Peyman Khosravani is a global blockchain and digital transformation expert with a passion for marketing, futuristic ideas, analytics insights, startup businesses, and effective communications. He has extensive experience in blockchain and DeFi projects and is committed to using technology to bring justice and fairness to society and promote freedom. Peyman has worked with international organizations to improve digital transformation strategies and data-gathering strategies that help identify customer touchpoints and sources of data that tell the story of what is happening. With his expertise in blockchain, digital transformation, marketing, analytics insights, startup businesses, and effective communications, Peyman is dedicated to helping businesses succeed in the digital age. He believes that technology can be used as a tool for positive change in the world.
