The Urbanist

We cast our eyes across to the US to review some recent urbanism stories that have caught our attention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tomás Pinheiro takes us to Auroville, an experimental township mostly in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, to see what lessons we can learn from this “laboratory for humanity”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We investigate a new trend at universities in the US as they begin to devote parts of their campuses to arts and culture. We also find out what city planners can learn from nature as we speak to an expert in biomimicry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chris Cermak explores the role of Gettysburg – the site of the American Civil War’s most famous battle – in addressing the country’s modern-day divisions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We explore how the design of healthcare facilities can have an impact on public wellbeing and we speak to Asia’s first chief heat officer about how building better heat resilience is essential in our cities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ananya Singhal of Studio Saar takes us on a tour of his firm’s recently completed lakeside pocket park in the Indian city of Udaipur.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How important are flora and fauna to a flourishing city? We investigate the merits of encouraging an urban insect population, the benefits of wildlife sanctuaries in city limits and we visit a turtle rehabilitation centre in a Dubai hotel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alexei Korolyov visits the town where western Europe’s dependency on Russian energy began, to see how the attempt to cut ties with Moscow is affecting the village.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We find out what major urban centres can learn from their smaller siblings. Plus, why two neighbouring cities have never merged despite their close vicinity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

James Chambers takes us to Bangkok’s Siam Square to see why pedestrians are making good use of this refreshed piece of public realm in the Thai capital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.