The Century of Cities

The Century of Cities welcomes András Szörényi, Senior Policy Advisor at Global Cities Hub, to explore how cities are becoming increasingly influential actors in global cooperation. Drawing on his diplomatic career, András reflects on the shift from traditional city-to-city partnerships to today's networks of multi-level and multi-stakeholder collaboration. From climate adaptation and migration to health and digital governance, he explains why many global challenges now depend on local implementation and urban leadership. András highlights how city networks have evolved into powerful systems for sharing knowledge, testing solutions, and accelerating action across borders. His outlook is pragmatic and optimistic: the future of governance will rely less on competition between levels of government and more on stronger cooperation between cities, states, and international institutions. 

Cristina Bueti, Counsellor on Smart Sustainable Cities, AI-enabled Citiverse & Virtual worlds at International Telecommunication Union, joins The Century of Cities to explore a new phase of urban intelligence. She traces the shift from cities that once operated without real-time awareness to systems that can now sense, learn, and adapt. Yet even as cities solve major challenges, they remain exposed when yesterday's solutions collide with tomorrow's risks. Cristina introduces a compelling vision of cities as living systems, where artificial intelligence acts as a coordinating layer across infrastructure, services, and decision-making. The opportunity is transformative, but not inevitable. It will depend on how cities embed governance, accountability, and human-centred thinking alongside technological progress.

The Century of Cities welcomes Marie Lam - Frendo, Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at Meridiam, to explore how infrastructure has shifted from simply enabling growth to shaping resilience, inclusion, and long-term prosperity. She reflects on the move from car-led, output-driven cities to a new urban era where people, technology, energy, mobility, and nature must operate as one connected system. The cities that thrive tomorrow will be the ones making smarter choices today. From clean transport and coastal defence to digital networks and circular energy, resilience is becoming central to how cities are planned, financed, and built. Marie's perspective is practical and optimistic: when public ambition and private capability move together, cities can strengthen communities, widen opportunity, and meet a far more uncertain future.

J. Byron Brazier, lead developer of Woodlawn Central, joins The Century of Cities to share a powerful model for building cities with communities, not around them. Rooted in Chicago's South Side and shaped by a legacy of civil rights leadership, Byron reflects on how cities have moved from an era defined by human connection and hard-won social progress to one shaped by technology, design, and global visibility.  Through the Woodlawn 2060 plan, Byron is redefining urban regeneration by placing ownership, culture, and economic participation back in the hands of residents. From mixed-income housing and local job creation to cultural districts and vertical farming, his approach challenges traditional development models that often lead to displacement. He shares that the future of cities depends on accountability at the community level, alignment across institutions, and a commitment to regeneration that builds wealth, identity, and opportunity across generations.

Ami Kotecha, Co-Founder and Group President at Amro Partners, joins The Century of Cities to trace the evolution of cities through the lens of migration, capital, and lived experience. Reflecting on her upbringing in Mumbai and her work across European markets, she describes the shift from cities shaped by scarcity and informality to today's global urban economies, where growth has been powered by talent, mobility, and relentless expansion. Ami argues that the next phase of urban change will be defined not by growth, but by demographics. As population peaks and workforces age, cities must rethink how they sustain productivity, from designing healthier, more accessible environments to embracing migration as a long-term economic necessity. Her perspective is grounded and direct: resilience will depend on how well cities adapt to changing populations, support independence across the life cycle, and remain open to the flows of people and ideas that drive prosperity.

Lisette van Doorn, Former Chief Executive at Urban Land Institute Europe, joins The Century of Cities to explore how real estate has shifted from a local, owner-led activity to a global, highly financialized industry, and what that means for cities. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, she reflects on how global capital and new investment models have reshaped the built environment, unlocking growth while also creating distance between financial value and lived experience. Lisette argues for a rebalancing, where buildings are seen not only as assets, but as the environments that shape daily life. As cities face climate risk, economic uncertainty, and rising complexity, she emphasizes the need for long-term thinking, better alignment between stakeholders, and a more holistic approach to value. Her message is clear: stronger collaboration and a shift beyond short-term returns are essential to building more resilient, inclusive cities.

The Century of Cities welcomes Sowmya Parthasarathy, an Architect and Urban Designer leading Arup's Masterplanning and Urban Design team in London, who examines how city planning has shifted from centralized, top-down systems toward more people-centred and regenerative approaches. Drawing on her experience in 1980s New Delhi and her work across the UK, US, Middle East, and India, she reflects on how rapid urbanization outpaced planning capacity, and how climate risk and housing affordability now define urban priorities. Looking to 2080, she argues that cities must move beyond net zero toward regenerative models that align human and natural systems. Drawing on her work with the UK's New Towns Task Force, she explores densification, retrofit, and the role of new towns, emphasizing that long-term success depends on integrating housing, infrastructure, placemaking, and stewardship into a single, sustained civic vision.

The Century of Cities welcomes Chris Fair, futurist and President & CEO of Resonance, who explores how cities are moving beyond a single model of the "global city" toward more divergent forms of urban development. Drawing on decades of research and the evaluation of hundreds of cities worldwide, he reflects on how places once shaped by globalization are now differentiating through culture, governance, and lived experience. From Copenhagen's reinvention to the contrasting trajectories of São Paulo and Toronto, the discussion highlights the growing gap between performance and perception, and why it matters. Chris challenges conventional approaches to city branding, reframing it as civic identity grounded in authenticity, institutional capacity, and local aspiration. He argues that cities at different stages of growth or decline face distinct priorities, from placemaking and infrastructure to institutional alignment. As urbanization fragments across regions, the cities best positioned for the future will be those that clearly understand who they are, what they offer, and how to turn identity into long-term opportunity.

In this episode of The Century of Cities, Rohit T. Aggarwala, Commissioner of NYC Environmental Protection and former Chief Climate Officer, reflects on a century of urban change through the lens of New York's environmental, infrastructural, and governance evolution. He traces the city's trajectory from the fiscal and environmental crises of the late twentieth century to its present condition, marked by cleaner air and water, renewed waterfronts, and the pressures that accompany urban demand. He argues that climate change will eclipse affordability and growth as the defining urban challenge. He outlines a pragmatic understanding of resilience, one that prioritizes protection of life, housing, and core systems over the pursuit of uninterrupted normalcy. From stormwater and coastal defences to mobility and water management, the discussion emphasizes the need for long-term investment, institutional flexibility, and political leadership capable of navigating disruption. The future of cities, he suggests, will depend on the capacity to make difficult choices early, at scale, and with a clear understanding of risk.

Mairi Spowage, Director at Fraser of Allander Institute, joins The Century of Cities to reflect on how Scotland's cities have evolved through industrial decline, sectoral booms, and structural economic change. She traces the divergent trajectories of places like Glasgow and Aberdeen, explaining how shifts toward service and knowledge-based economies have brought new opportunities alongside persistent challenges around housing, productivity, and uneven growth. Mairi highlights the importance of aligning skills, housing, and infrastructure with local economic realities, and cautions against one-size-fits-all national policy. From post-pandemic city centres to demographic change, her perspective is pragmatic and grounded: cities thrive when local institutions are empowered to plan long-term, collaborate effectively, and connect people to opportunity.

The Century of Cities welcomes Tim Williams, Cities Lead at Grimshaw and a leading voice in global urban strategy, to explore how cities move through cycles of growth, decline, and reinvention. Drawing on his upbringing in the South Wales Valleys and years advising governments in the UK and Australia, Tim reflects on the shift from industrial cities built on extraction to contemporary urban economies shaped by knowledge, lifestyle, and connectivity. He emphasizes that urban change is rarely linear and that periods of transition often involve loss, uncertainty, and uneven outcomes. Tim offers a sharp critique of the global housing crisis, arguing that it cannot be solved by supply alone. He explains how the over-financialization of housing and a disconnect between public expectations and private-sector business models have created a systemic impasse. Rather than blaming developers, Tim calls for a broader mix of housing delivery models, including a renewed role for non-market housing and stronger public-sector capacity. Looking ahead, he warns that many cities may soon face a new reality, managing stagnation or decline and urges more honest international dialogue about how cities adapt when growth is no longer guaranteed.

Alice Charles, Director, Cities, Planning & Design at Arup, joins The Century of Cities from Dublin to reflect on how Irish cities, and cities globally, have evolved. Grounded in a career spanning regeneration, infrastructure, and global urban systems, Alice traces Ireland's shift from economic stagnation and brain drain to foreign direct investment, car-led growth, and today's housing and governance challenges. Alice argues for more empowered, outward-looking cities, with stronger local leadership, long-term investment, and deeper city-to-city collaboration, particularly with Asia and Africa. Drawing on global networks like C40 and the Resilient Cities Network, she highlights climate action, health, accessibility, and infrastructure finance as defining priorities for the urban century ahead.

The Century of Cities welcomes Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, who reflects on how UK cities have evolved, and why uneven progress still defines the urban landscape. He traces the shift from industrial decline and urban decay to a renewed belief in cities as drivers of economic growth, powered by the knowledge economy and higher education. Andrew emphasizes that this revival was not inevitable, but the result of long-term structural change and deliberate policy choices. He argues that deeper devolution, especially greater control over transport, planning, and funding, is essential if cities are to unlock productivity and inclusion. While elected mayors and combined authorities have moved the agenda forward, he warns that without real fiscal autonomy, many UK cities will continue to lag behind their European peers. His message is clear: empowered cities, strong public transport, and well-managed density are central to national renewal.

Carlos Moreno, a scientist, urban planner, and professor internationally recognized for developing the concept of the 15-minute city, joins The Century of Cities to reflect on how urban life is being reshaped by climate urgency, digital transformation, and changing patterns of daily living. He explains why proximity-based urbanism is not about a fixed number of minutes, but about identifying essential daily needs, strengthening local access, and reconnecting people to place while preserving citywide and regional services through public transport. Carlos situates the present moment as a critical turning point for cities, where climate change, housing precarity, poverty, and social isolation increasingly intersect. He argues that proximity is not simply about distance, but about belonging, dignity, and social connection. His message is clear: the future of cities depends not only on infrastructure, but on reshaping urban lifestyles to support inclusion, connection, and collective life.

Season 2 of The Century of Cities continues with part two of our in-depth conversation with Michael Storper, one of the world's leading economic geographers. In this episode, Michael turns his focus to governance, institutions, and the hard trade-offs shaping urban futures in the United States and Europe. Drawing on comparative insights from California, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and major European regions, he examines how prosperity, inequality, and cultural path dependency collide in today's superstar cities.  Michael offers a rigorous critique of dominant housing narratives, arguing that supply-led solutions alone cannot resolve affordability in highly unequal urban economies. He contrasts American and European approaches, highlighting the role of social housing, construction innovation, and public-sector leadership in maintaining social mix and urban quality. The conversation expands to Europe's innovation dilemma, questioning whether the continent's urban system is structurally equipped to compete in a global knowledge economy while sustaining cohesion across regions. Throughout, Michael calls for greater honesty in urban policy debates, emphasizing that cities face real trade-offs that cannot be wished away. The future of cities depends not just on growth, but on institutions capable of managing complexity, inequality, and long-term transformation.

Season 2 of The Century of Cities begins with part one of a two-part conversation with Michael Storper, one of the world's leading economic geographers. Holding appointments at UCLA and the London School of Economics, Michael brings a long-term perspective to how cities evolve across distinct economic eras. He reflects on why many of today's most prosperous cities once faced deep decline, and why urban change must be understood through long cycles shaped by structural forces rather than short-term trends. In this episode, Michael introduces a clear framework for understanding today's urban landscape, distinguishing between superstar cities, second-tier metropolitan regions, and places that remain distressed. He explains why prosperity and inequality often rise together, how housing costs sit at the center of this tension, and why different types of cities require fundamentally different policy responses. He introduces the idea of the vanishing urban frontier, arguing that as cities approach peak urbanization, the challenge shifts from managing growth to sustaining opportunity, inclusion, and social mobility in a fully urban world.

The Century of Cities celebrates our 100th guest as we welcome Lord Norman Foster, one of the world's most influential architects and Founder and Executive Chairman of Foster + Partners. Drawing on six decades of practice, he traces the shift from gritty, industrial cities to cleaner, safer, and more mobile urban environments, shaped by digital technology, new forms of mobility, and changing patterns of density. While progress has been undeniable, Lord Foster warns that many cities have lost distinct identity, creativity, and affordability along the way. He makes a powerful case for rediscovering the lessons of the traditional city: compactness, mixed use, walkability, and strong public spaces. From Madrid and Vienna to London, Paris, and New York, he argues that density done well is not only more sustainable but also more joyful and socially resilient. He calls for a return to positive, big-picture planning, investing in infrastructure, embracing layered cities, and designing streets and neighbourhoods that support daily life and long-term health. His vision for the future is optimistic but clear-eyed: greener, quieter, more humane cities are possible, but only if technological innovation is matched with human-centred design and the courage to plan for generations to come.

Edward L. Glaeser, one of the world's leading urban economists and the Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics at Harvard University, joins The Century of Cities to reflect on decades of research and his landmark work, Triumph of the City. He traces the arc from urban decline and deindustrialization to the resurgence of cities as centers of knowledge, creativity, and economic opportunity. Ed examines the most difficult challenges cities face, including housing affordability, climate risk, governance capacity, and social mobility. He offers a pragmatic framework for urban leadership, arguing that cities must generate economic value while investing deliberately in their most vulnerable residents. From making it easier to build housing at scale to strengthening public safety, upgrading institutions, and adapting new technologies, he emphasizes that cities require care, competence, and long-term commitment. Despite their vulnerabilities, he remains optimistic: cities, he argues, are humanity's greatest engines for reducing poverty, expanding opportunity, and shaping a more prosperous future.

The Century of Cities welcomes Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, Professor of Economic Geography and Regional Planning, to examine deep spatial inequalities shaping politics, prosperity, and trust in institutions across the world. Drawing on decades of research, Andrés explains how economic growth has become increasingly concentrated in a small number of cities and regions, while many places have been systematically left behind, creating what he describes as the "geography of discontent." He explores how neglecting these regions has fueled political polarization, social fragmentation, and rising distrust in democratic systems. Andrés challenges the assumption that growth alone will solve spatial inequality. He argues for place-sensitive policies that recognize the unique assets, constraints, and identities of different regions rather than one-size-fits-all solutions. From rethinking innovation policy to rebuilding local capacity and dignity, Andrés makes a compelling case that the future of cities, regions, and democracy itself depends on addressing territorial inequality head-on, and doing so with long-term commitment rather than short-term fixes.

Maria Camila Uribe, Principal Technical Lead for Housing and Urban Development and Coordinator of the IDB Cities Network at the Inter-American Development Bank, joins us on The Century of Cities. She explains how rapid urbanization, democratization, and decentralization shaped the lives of hundreds of millions, leaving legacies of both ingenuity and inequality. From informal settlements to bold planning reforms, Maria outlines how Latin American cities became hubs of creativity, civic leadership, and problem-solving under pressure. She reveals groundbreaking work underway at the IDB, including a new financing pilot allowing cities to borrow directly without sovereign guarantees, and the urgent efforts to strengthen Amazonian cities ahead of COP30. With clarity and optimism, she highlights why Latin America continues to pioneer urban innovations and how empowered local leaders can reshape the future of an entire region.

In this episode of The Century of the Cities, Ming Zhang, Global Director for Urban, Resilience, and Land at the World Bank, brings a sweeping global perspective on how cities have transformed since 1980. From witnessing Shanghai's shift from a stagnant industrial city to a world-class metropolis, to tracking urbanization across South Korea, Brazil, India, and Africa, Ming explains how innovation, governance, and economic shifts have reshaped the urban landscape for billions of people. Ming outlines the profound challenges and opportunities that cities will navigate: rapid urbanization in Africa and South Asia, aging populations in mature economies, climate-related threats, and the need for massive investment in infrastructure, housing, and resilience. He shares insights from the World Bank's Banking on Cities report, underscoring why cities must build autonomy, mobilize revenue, and use technology wisely to remain livable, adaptive, and economically vibrant.

The Century of Cities welcomes Claudia López, former Mayor of Bogotá and the city's first female leader, who shares how her administration redefined inclusion, productivity, and progress through one bold idea, the care blocks. From her childhood in a working-class neighbourhood in southern Bogotá to leading one of Latin America's largest capitals, Claudia traces a journey of transformation rooted in equity and imagination. She discusses how Bogotá evolved from disorganized transit and insecurity to a city of electric buses, social innovation, and global recognition for its "care economy." She reflects on the power of collaboration between cities, nations, and citizens to confront violence, empower women, and shape a future where care is not a favour, but a foundation for prosperity.

Anna König Jerlmyr, former Mayor of Stockholm, joins The Century of Cities to explore how cities have evolved from regulation-heavy, risk-averse places to global engines of climate action, innovation, and design. She reflects on Stockholm's shift from a tightly controlled urban environment to a vibrant, outward-looking city shaped by global culture, cleaner energy systems, and a stronger public realm. Anna highlights how cities worldwide have become more agile, more collaborative, and far more willing to test new ideas. Looking ahead, she imagines cities operating more like living organisms, regenerative, circular, and supported by AI systems that resolve issues before they surface. Yet she also warns of risks, including lifestyle shifts that reduce physical activity and weaken social connections. Her message is clear: the strongest cities will be those that rebuild community, embrace innovation, and protect the human connections that keep urban life resilient.

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we are joined by Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council. Susan reflects on the dramatic shift in how cities are perceived. Once viewed as distressed places marked by deindustrialization, population loss, and narratives of decline, cities are now recognized as hubs of innovation, diversity, and economic resilience, and as the places best positioned to solve society's biggest challenges. She highlights Glasgow's remarkable renaissance, from its cultural revival to its leadership on climate action, equity, and just transition. Susan points to the city's resilience and the grit of its people as the driving forces behind its reinvention. Looking ahead, she envisions a Glasgow built on clean industries, inclusivity, and improved health, while cautioning that global pressures like climate shocks and mass migration will continue to land hardest in urban areas. Her message is clear: cities hold the solutions, but they need the powers, resources, and collective voice to deliver them.

The Century of Cities welcomes Felipe Correa, architect, author, and founder of Somatic Collaborative. Felipe reflects on why 1980 marked a pivotal shift in urbanization, as the explosive post-war expansion of cities gave way to slower growth, new planning logics, and a more diverse design toolkit. From Latin America to Asia, he illustrates how procedural planning, emerging urban scales, and a renewed focus on inner-city form reshaped the trajectory of cities entering the 21st century. Today, he argues, two forces define the urban landscape: the rapid rise of intermediate-scale cities and the widening pressures of environmental uncertainty. Migration, climate-driven risk, and even the influence of the insurance industry are quietly but profoundly reshaping the built environment. Felipe remains optimistic about cities' remarkable ability to bring people together, yet he emphasizes that the future depends on rethinking density, reinvesting in shared infrastructure, and training a new generation of architects who can visualize and communicate transformative change.

In this episode of The Century of the Cities, Carlo Ratti, Architect, Engineer, MIT professor, and Director of the Senseable City Lab, joins us to explore how data, design, and emerging technologies are reshaping urban life. Carlo reflects on the rise of the "big boom cities" and discusses how urbanization has evolved, from the moment global population tipped into majority-urban to today's era of shrinking populations, climate pressure, and the need for smarter, more adaptive cities. Carlo explains how real-time data, AI, and interdisciplinary research are transforming how we understand cities. He argues that the greatest breakthroughs will come from forging a new alliance between the natural and the artificial, and from embracing open, iterative, trial-and-error innovation.

Sally Capp, former Lord Mayor of Melbourne and management consultant, joins us on the Century of Cities to reflect on leadership, livability, and the transformation of cities through vision and action. As the first woman directly elected as Lord Mayor, Sally led Melbourne through one of its most defining chapters, the pandemic, while championing inclusion, innovation, and community connection. She shares lessons from her time in office on how to build vibrant, people-centred cities, the importance of independent leadership, and the power of focusing on what can be done rather than what can't. Sally envisions cities that are dynamic, sustainable, and deeply human places that inspire a sense of belonging, pride, and purpose for all who call them home.

The Century of Cities welcomes Enrique Peñalosa, globally recognized urban visionary and two-time mayor of Bogotá. Known for transforming Colombia's capital through public transit, parks, libraries, and bike infrastructure, Enrique shares his belief that cities are among our most powerful tools for equality and happiness. He reflects on how thoughtful design can bridge social divides, not only through taxation or policy, but by creating public spaces where people meet as equals. Enrique calls on future urban leaders to build cities that nurture dignity, interaction, and joy, especially as rapidly growing regions like Africa and India continue to urbanize. His vision is of cities that are inclusive, democratic, and fertile grounds for human potential, places where everyone, regardless of income, can thrive.

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we welcome Helle Søholt, founding partner and CEO of Gehl. Helle explores how cities can evolve from designed objects into living systems that foster connection, equity, and resilience. She shares how her people-first approach champions urban environments shaped by culture, community, and care. Reflecting on the architect's evolving role as a facilitator of social and environmental change, Helle offers a compelling vision for a new urbanism that is circular, inclusive, and deeply human.

Maria Vassilakou, internationally recognized urban transformation expert and former Vice Mayor of Vienna, joins The Century of Cities. Drawing on her decade of leadership in Vienna, Maria explores how cities can balance livability, affordability, and sustainability while safeguarding democracy itself. From reimagining housing as a human right to redefining livability through a child's eyes, Maria shares an inspiring vision of cities designed for every generation. She reflects on the crossroads we now face, between inclusive, decarbonized, and democratic urban futures or divided "bubble cities" defined by inequality and disconnection. Through stories of community innovation, social housing, and small-scale empowerment, Maria reminds us that transformation begins with leadership, and sometimes, with just 40 people moving together in the same direction.

Francesca Froy, Lecturer in Sustainable Urban Development at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Kellogg College, joins us on The Century of Cities. Francesca explores how cities evolve as living, complex systems, shaped by design, policy, and the countless small, interconnected decisions made every day. She argues that to build sustainable cities of the future, we must learn from the past: valuing walkability, connectivity, and human interaction over technological quick fixes. Rather than controlling cities from the top down, she calls for policymakers to observe, steward, and harness the natural complexity already at work, allowing cities to evolve intelligently on their own terms.

The Century of Cities welcomes Henrietta Moore, Founder and Director of the Institute for Global Prosperity, and Arthur Kay, Senior Advisor at Innovo Group and board member at Transport for London. Together, they unpack their new book Roadkill: Unveiling the True Cost of Our Toxic Relationship with Cars, a powerful exploration of how our dependence on cars shapes our health, cities, and future. From the exponential rise in global car ownership since 1980 to the ripple effects on climate, inequality, and urban design, Henrietta and Arthur reveal how car culture has quietly become one of the most expensive and destructive addictions of our time. They share examples from Los Angeles to Lagos, Dallas to Delhi, showing how communities are reclaiming streets, re-imagining mobility, and redefining freedom in urban life. As we look toward 2080, they challenge us to imagine cities built not around vehicles, but around people, where prosperity is measured not by how fast we drive, but by how freely we move.

In the episode of The Century of Cities, we are joined by Vera Bukachi, Executive Director and Managing Principal of the Kounkuey Design Initiative in Nairobi. Vera has spent two decades at the intersection of climate adaptation, urban resilience, and community-led design, championing dignity, equity, and collaboration in the built environment. Tracing Nairobi's transformation from its post-colonial roots to today's "Silicon Savannah," she reflects on the city's rapid growth, its deep inequalities, and the quiet power of local innovation. Vera argues that informality need not mean indignity and that resilience begins when communities, governments, and designers work together to create spaces that honour lived realities. Vera envisions African cities that thrive through dignity by design, where inclusion, innovation, and justice are woven into every street and public space.

Patrick Cobbinah, Associate Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Melbourne, joins The Century of Cities to reimagine the future of African urbanism through a decolonized lens. Drawing on his work across Ghana and the Global South, Patrick shares how colonial planning systems still shape land use, governance, and inequality today, and why genuine progress depends on embracing bottom-up, citizen-led approaches to city-building. He argues that Africa's growing youth population, rising education levels, and rapid urbanization present a once-in-a-century opportunity to redefine how cities evolve. From rethinking informality as a strength to integrating indigenous knowledge into urban planning, Patrick envisions a future where governance is transparent, communities are empowered, and cities are built with people, not just for them. 

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we are joined by Kecia Rust, Executive Director at Centre for Affordable Housing Finance in Africa. As the leader of a network spanning 70 organizations across 23 countries, Kecia has spent decades studying how affordability, finance, and policy intersect to determine who gets to call the city home. She traces the evolution of African housing from the constraints of apartheid-era exclusion to today's rapid urbanization, revealing how outdated financial systems, rigid policies, and colonial legacies still shape access to land, credit, and ownership. Kecia calls for a radical rethinking of informality, not as a failure, but as a force. She argues that embracing the ingenuity of informal builders, young entrepreneurs, and local communities is key to unlocking sustainable, inclusive cities across the continent.

Jennifer Hart, Professor, historian, author, and chair of history at Virginia Tech, joins The Century of Cities to share two decades of insight into Ghana's urban evolution. Through her work on Accra and her book Making an African City, Hart reveals how colonial legacies, economic shifts, and social resilience have shaped African cities from 1980 to today. She invites us to rethink expertise, arguing that the future of urban development lies not in imported models but in DIY urbanism, the creative, community-led practices that emerge when residents assert their right to the city. From Accra's Impact Hub to informal neighbourhood initiatives, Hart highlights how ordinary citizens are redefining what progress looks like. Her call to action is clear: it's time to put communities, not technocrats, at the center of how cities grow.

The Century of Cities welcomes Shuaib Lwasa, a Professor at the International Institute of Social Studies and an urban geographer. Drawing on his lived experience in Kampala and decades of research across East Africa, Shuaib reflects on how privatization, elite capture, and market-driven development have reshaped the very idea of the public. He offers both a cautionary and hopeful perspective, envisioning African cities that could either become corporate-run enclaves or evolve through innovation, hybrid urbanism, and grassroots ingenuity toward more inclusive development. Through his lens, we see the potential for reform coalitions that bring together communities, academia, government, and civil society to create transformative, frugal, and culturally grounded urban futures across the continent.

Christian Benimana, Co-Executive Director and Sr. Principal at MASS Design Group, joins us on The Century of Cities to reflect on how African cities have evolved from post-colonial identities to centers of economic gravity, yet often without a clear sense of purpose. He explores why many urban centers across the continent are now caught between growth and confusion, and why re-imagining identity is essential before we can talk about sustainability. Christian challenges conventional thinking on architecture, participation, and design, arguing that cities are not merely physical spaces but living ideas. He questions whether Africa's megacities can survive their own momentum, and calls for new models that use technology, culture, and human dignity to shape places that serve people, not just economies.

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we're joined by Geci Karuri-Sebina, scholar-practitioner and Associate Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand School of Governance, who explores how cities across Africa are redefining progress on their own terms. From Nairobi's post-colonial euphoria of the 1980s to today's era of innovation and shifting power, Geci traces the evolving story of African urbanism, one shaped by frugal creativity, civic technology, and renewed confidence in indigenous knowledge. She envisions cities built not on Western blueprints but on local strength, shared agency, and radical participation, inviting us to rethink who gets to imagine the future and why Africa's story may hold lessons for the world. https://www.scribd.com/document/769944552/COMPASS-Summer-Issue-2023

The Century of Cities welcomes Edgar Pieterse, Founding Director of the African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town, who takes us on a sweeping journey through apartheid-era Cape Town to a hopeful, youth-driven African future. Reflecting on how cities have evolved since 1980, Pieterse reveals the deep scars of inequality, the challenges of economic exclusion, and the extraordinary creativity shaping new urban models across the continent. From democratization and deindustrialization to cultural ascendancy and climate resilience, Edgar connects the dots between infrastructure, leadership, and imagination. He shares how initiatives like Infrastructure Africa, the African Urban Forum, and the African Mayoral Leadership Initiative are redefining what's possible when cities and citizens lead with vision, courage, and purpose.

Weiping Wu, Columbia's Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Professor and Director of the M.S. in Urban Planning program, joins us on The Century of Cities. With her unique vantage point spanning Chinese cities, American metropolises, and global contexts, Weiping reflects on Shanghai's meteoric rise, the challenges of density and sprawl, and how lessons from one era echo in the choices facing cities today. Looking ahead, she shares both optimism and unease about the role of technology, from smarter infrastructure to the risk of human disconnection, and explains why urban growth must remain rooted in the local context. From the lived experiences of migrants in Shanghai to teaching the next generation of planners at Columbia, Weiping reveals how cities evolve not just in their skylines but in the social fabric that binds them.

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we are joined by Louis-Vincent Gave. Louis is an author and the CEO and co-founder of Gavekal. He shares his insights on macroeconomics, the Greater Bay Area, the Hong Kong dollar's unique role, and how Chinese cities are carving out distinct identities in tech, industry, and finance. From Hong Kong's resilience through decades of reinvention to its emerging role as a financial bridge for global markets, Louis offers a sharp, compelling lens on how urban transformation is reshaping opportunity worldwide. 

The Century of Cities welcomes Sylvia He, Director of the Urban Studies Programme, and the MSc Programme in Sustainable Urban Planning, and Professor in the Department of Geography and Resource Management at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Sylvia explains how transport has defined the city's evolution, from the pioneering MTR model to the rise of EVs, cautious steps on micro-mobility, and new ambitions for drone-based "low-altitude economies." She shows how real-time data and smart city tools are reshaping planning in Hong Kong and asks what it will take for Chinese cities to remain livable, resilient, and attractive in the long run. She also shares insights from her book, Handbook on Transport in Asia, exploring how mobility systems, policy innovations, and transport equity are shaping the future of urban life across the region. 

Mee Kam Ng, Emeritus Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, joins us on the latest episode of The Century of Cities. Mee Kam challenges us to move from "talk" to "walk," using technology not just for efficiency, but to improve lives and restore ecosystems. She envisions two futures: one where technology helps build a circular economy and more equal societies, and another where automation deepens inequality and control. Drawing on the transformation of the Pearl River Delta into the Greater Bay Area, she reveals how Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou capture both the tensions and opportunities of multi-city regions, and why the choices we make now will define the century ahead.

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we are joined by Shenjing He, Professor and Head of the Department of Urban Planning & Design at the University of Hong Kong. Drawing on decades of transformation, she reflects on China's journey from a predominantly rural society to a nation defined by megacity regions, high-speed mobility, and ambitious net-zero commitments. Shenjing highlights the enduring challenges of inequality, the housing struggles of rural migrants, and the complexity between national ambitions and local entrepreneurialism. She shares why regional integration will be essential, how intergenerational equity and climate resilience will shape the future, and what lessons China's urbanization offers to Africa and South Asia. Shenjing also considers the evolving role of the urban scholar, the tensions between collaboration and competition in city clusters, and why she remains cautiously optimistic about the long game for sustainable, equitable cities.

The Century of Cities welcomes Patrick McVeigh, Technical Director - Economic Development Advisory at Beca. In this special listener series, Patrick reflects on the episodes that resonated most, the guests who offered new insights, and the cities that have shaped how he thinks about growth and innovation.

In this special listener series of The Century of Cities, we're joined by Opportune Simone, Strategic Operations - Asset Management at Places for London. Opportune highlights her favourite moments from the podcast, the guests who sparked fresh ideas, and the cities that challenge her to think differently about the future.

The Century of Cities welcomes Vasant Chari, Director of Regional & Local Growth at Connected Places Catapult. In this special listener series, Visant shares the episodes he enjoyed, the guests who inspired him, and the cities that challenge him to think differently about growth and innovation.

In this special listener series of The Century of Cities, we're joined by Anna Look, Founder of Look Ahead Consulting and Co-Owner of Rabbit Hill Snow Resort. Anna reflects on her favourite episodes, standout guests, and the cities that have captured her imagination.

The Century of Cities welcomes Jorick Beijer, Urbanist and Co-Founder of Blossity, a global strategy consultancy driving innovation districts and corporate urbanism. In this special listener series, Jorick shares the episodes he loved most, the guests who sparked new ideas, and the cities that left a lasting impression.