Summer Break
We are taking a summer break and can't wait to get back in a few weeks to share a new slate of exciting episodes about the future of cities and communities.
Jul 19, 2025•33 sec•Ep. 56
Future Forward
An exploration of the future of cities based on an understanding of the past and strategic foresights about the future.
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Episodes
Ep 53: How Do Cities Learn?
summary In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the concept of cities as learning organisms, discussing how they can adapt and improve through feedback from their residents. They delve into historical examples of urban planning failures, current challenges in feedback mechanisms, and emerging innovations in city governance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of participatory governance, digital inclusion, and trust in creating resilient urban environments. They also outline potential futu...
Jul 06, 2025•40 min•Ep. 55
EP 52: Do Museums Make Cities Better?
museums, cities, cultural impact, economic contribution, community engagement, historical significance, challenges, future of museums, urban development, cultural heritage Summary In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the multifaceted role of museums in cities, discussing their historical significance, present-day impact, and the challenges they face. They delve into the economic contributions of museums, their role in community engagement, and the trade-offs associated with cultural appropriat...
Jun 29, 2025•38 min•Ep. 54
Ep 51: The ‘Curb Cut’ Effect In Cities
In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi Fabode and Reza discuss the unintended positive consequences of urban design changes, focusing on curb cuts, protected bike lanes, pedestrian-only zones, accessible public restrooms, and audible pedestrian signals. They explore how these changes, initially aimed at specific groups, end up benefiting the broader community, enhancing safety, accessibility, and economic vitality in urban spaces. takeaways Curb cuts originated from grassroots activism for acce...
Jun 22, 2025•26 min•Ep. 53
Ep 50: The Future of Airports
In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the future of airports and their integration into urban environments. They discuss personal memories of airports, the evolution of airports from simple transport nodes to complex economic engines, and the challenges faced by airports today. Through case studies of Heathrow and Navi Mumbai airports, they highlight the balance between expansion and community impact, and the importance of sustainable urban planning. The conversation concludes with insights int...
Jun 15, 2025•38 min•Ep. 52
Ep 49: The Future of Cities, San Antonio Edition
San Antonio, urban growth, historical context, tourism, infrastructure, social equity, strategic foresight, urban sustainability, economic dynamics, future scenarios summary In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi Fabode and Reza explore the urban landscape of San Antonio, Texas, discussing its historical roots, present-day challenges, and future possibilities. They delve into the city's growth, economic dynamics, and the impact of tourism, while also addressing critical issues such as transport...
Jun 08, 2025•30 min•Ep. 51
Ep 48: The Future of Cities, Atlanta Edition
Atlanta, future, urban development, transportation, demographics, water resilience, governance, case studies, city planning, sustainability summary In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the future of Atlanta by examining its historical context, current demographics, and challenges. They discuss significant case studies, including Lake Lanier's water resilience issues and Alpharetta's suburban growth. The conversation culminates in a discussion of potential future scenarios for Atlanta, emphasiz...
Jun 01, 2025•30 min•Ep. 50
Ep 47: The Future of Stadiums
stadiums, community, economic impact, urban design, sports, belonging, future of stadiums, case studies, civic identity, sustainability summary In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi Fabode and Reza explore the evolution and future of stadiums, discussing their historical significance, economic impact, and role in fostering community and belonging. They delve into case studies of Q2 Stadium in Austin and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, highlighting the successes and challenges faced by the...
May 25, 2025•42 min•Ep. 49
Ep 46: The Hidden Cost of AI on Cities
AI, energy infrastructure, data centers, urban planning, sustainability, technology demands, community impact, policy recommendations, future foresight, renewable energy summary In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza discuss the hidden costs of AI, particularly focusing on the energy demands of data centers and the implications for urban infrastructure. Seyi shares his extensive experience in the energy sector and highlights the exponential growth in electricity consumption driven by A...
May 18, 2025•31 min•Ep. 48
Ep 45: The Future of Cities, Antalya/Kemer (Turkey) Edition
Antalya, Kemer, travel, urban planning, sustainability, cultural experiences, community resilience, tourism, historical cities, Future Forward summary In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the cities of Antalya and Kemer in Turkey, discussing their historical significance, present-day tourism, cultural interactions, and community resilience. They delve into urban planning and sustainability practices observed during Seyi's visit, highlighting the importance of mixed land use a...
May 11, 2025•30 min•Ep. 47
Ep 44: The Future of Eating Out
In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the evolution and future of restaurants, discussing their historical significance, current trends, and the impact of COVID-19. They highlight the importance of community in dining experiences and examine case studies of notable restaurants that have shaped their communities. The conversation also delves into future predictions for the restaurant industry, emphasizing sustainability, local economies, and the role of technology. Personal ane...
May 04, 2025•42 min•Ep. 46
Ep 43: The Future of Greener Buildings
In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the future of greener buildings, discussing the historical context of the green building movement, the current state of building sustainability, and two case studies: the retrofit of the British Library and the innovative design of The Edge in the Netherlands. They also share expert insights and predictions for the next generation of green buildings, emphasizing the importance of retrofitting existing structures and creating buildings that prioritize both e...
Apr 27, 2025•33 min•Ep. 45
Ep 42: The Future of Cities, London Edition
In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the transformation of London from 2008 to the present, focusing on urban density, regeneration projects, and the impacts of COVID-19 and Brexit. They discuss key infrastructure developments, the challenges faced by Londoners, and the city's future prospects as a global city. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, sustainable transportation, and the resilience of urban systems. takeaways London remains a global city despit...
Apr 21, 2025•35 min•Ep. 44
Ep 41: The Future of the 15-Minute City
In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the concept of the 15-minute city, discussing its historical context, the impact of urban planning on community, and the importance of social equity in urban development. They highlight the challenges of implementing such cities and emphasize the need for strategic foresight in designing future urban environments that prioritize human scale and accessibility. takeaways The 15-minute city concept aims to make essential services accessible w...
Apr 13, 2025•33 min•Ep. 43
Ep 40: The Future of 'Smarter' Cities
In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the concept of smarter cities, discussing the evolution from traditional smart cities to more inclusive and community-focused urban environments. They delve into the historical context of smart city initiatives, cautionary tales like the Sidewalk Labs project in Toronto, and successful examples from cities like Barcelona, Seoul, and Curitiba. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community engagement, participatory governance, and ...
Apr 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 42
Ep 39: The Future of Megacities
This conversation delves into the future of megacities, exploring their historical context, current challenges, and potential opportunities. The hosts discuss the rapid urbanization trends, the strain on infrastructure, and the socio-economic inequalities that megacities face. They also highlight the importance of sustainable practices and regional cooperation in urban planning, while projecting future scenarios for megacities over the next 30 to 50 years.
Mar 30, 2025•37 min•Ep. 41
Ep 38: 5 Events That Reshaped Cities
In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore five pivotal events that have reshaped urban environments. They discuss the impact of cars on city planning, the rise of suburbia, the phenomenon of urbanization and mega cities, the influence of climate change on urban resilience, and the transformative effects of COVID-19 on urban spaces. Through these discussions, they highlight the importance of sustainable practices and community engagement in shaping the future of cities.
Mar 23, 2025•42 min•Ep. 40
Ep 37: The Future of Cities, Mumbai Edition
In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Reza explore the vibrant city of Mumbai, discussing its rich history, current challenges, and future opportunities. They delve into the city's transformation from a group of islands to a bustling metropolis, highlighting significant infrastructure projects and the ongoing Dharavi redevelopment. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community interactions and the unique cultural diversity of Mumbai, while also addressing pressing issues such as ...
Mar 16, 2025•40 min•Ep. 39
Ep 36: The Future of Resilient Cities and Communities (w/ Chris Tamdjidi)
resilience, community, organizational culture, human connection, public spaces, urban greening, participatory governance, well-being, stress management, social cohesion summary In this conversation, Seyi, Reza, and Chris Tamjidi explore the concept of resilience from individual, organizational, and community perspectives. They discuss how resilience is not merely about enduring stress but involves the ability to navigate various states of being. Chris emphasizes the importance of social connecti...
Mar 09, 2025•44 min•Ep. 38
Ep 35.5: The Future Forward Cities Book (Special Episode)
cities, urban planning, community engagement, creativity, book writing, sustainable communities, poetry, storytelling, expertise, curiosity summary In this conversation, Seyi and Reza discuss their upcoming book about cities, inspired by the lack of existing literature that resonates with their vision. They emphasize a unique approach that combines storytelling, poetry, and community engagement, aiming to create a book that challenges conventional formats and encourages readers to think differen...
Mar 05, 2025•13 min•Ep. 37
Ep 35: What is Tatu City? (w/ Preston Mendenhall)
In this episode of Future Forward, Seyi and Preston Mendenhall discuss Tatu City, a new urban development in Kenya. Preston shares insights into the vision behind Tatu City, its integration with local communities, and the importance of sustainable infrastructure. The conversation explores the economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, the challenges of urbanization, and the innovative solutions being implemented in Tatu City to create a thriving, livable environment. The episode highlights the signi...
Mar 02, 2025•27 min•Ep. 36
Ep 34: The Future of The Electricity Grid (w/ Doug Lewin)
sustainable energy, transmission grids, electricity demand, microgeneration, renewable energy, AI in energy, Texas grid, energy innovation, energy policy, energy efficiency summary In this conversation, Reza and Doug Lewin explore the future of the energy grid, emphasizing the critical role of transmission grids in sustainable energy. Doug shares his journey from education to energy policy, highlighting the importance of modern electricity for quality of life. They discuss the increasing demand ...
Feb 23, 2025•44 min•Ep. 34
Ep 33: The Future of Data Centers/AI in Cities
data centers, AI, urban infrastructure, power consumption, economic impact, environmental sustainability, technology evolution, urban planning, energy efficiency, future foresight summary In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the intersection of data centers and AI, discussing their historical evolution, current infrastructure demands, and future implications for urban environments. They delve into the significant power consumption of AI data centers, the geographic concentration of these facil...
Feb 16, 2025•37 min•Ep. 35
Ep 32: The Future of Architecture and Sustainability (w/ Darshan Shah)
architecture, community, sustainability, design, ethics, urban development, data, teaching, cultural expression, storytelling summary In this episode of Future Forward, hosts Seyi and Reza engage with architect Darshan Shah to explore the future of architecture, emphasizing the importance of community, sustainability, and ethical design. Darshan shares his journey from agricultural engineering to architecture, highlighting the role of data in optimizing spaces and the significance of teaching ar...
Feb 09, 2025•37 min•Ep. 33
Ep 31: The Future of Company Towns/Cities
In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the concept of company towns, tracing their historical roots from the Industrial Revolution to modern examples like Tesla's Starbase and Toyota's Woven City. They discuss the implications of these developments on urban sustainability, the importance of economic diversity, and the need for regional cooperation. The conversation also touches on the laws governing sustainable cities and concludes with listener engagement through the mailbag segment. takeaways ...
Feb 02, 2025•46 min•Ep. 31
Ep 30: The Future of Connection and Communities
In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore the intricate relationship between connection and communities, emphasizing the historical context of communication, the impact of technology on social interactions, and the importance of micro interactions in building community ties. They discuss the challenges posed by digital communication and the need for social infrastructure to foster genuine connections. The conversation culminates in a vision for the future that balances technological advancements wi...
Jan 26, 2025•33 min•Ep. 30
Ep 29: The Future of Play In Cities (w/ Lety Lozano)
In this episode of Future Forward, hosts Seyi and Reza welcome architect Lety Lozano to discuss her journey into architecture, her philosophy on urban design, and the importance of play in creating inclusive spaces. Lety shares insights on social-spatial justice, the impact of migration on local communities, and the need for cultural assimilation in urban development. The conversation also touches on Lety's favorite cities and her vision for future urban spaces that prioritize community engageme...
Jan 19, 2025•50 min•Ep. 29
Ep. 28.5: The Future of Wildfires (w John Miri)
This conversation delves into the pressing issue of wildfire risks, particularly in Texas, exploring the historical context, ecological impacts, and the importance of community involvement in prevention efforts. The speakers discuss the challenges of risk management and the need for public awareness, while also offering practical solutions for individuals and communities to mitigate these risks. The conversation emphasizes the role of innovative approaches and the necessity of proactive measures...
Jan 15, 2025•41 min•Ep. 32
Ep 28: The Future of Advanced Tech (For Cities)
future technologies, sustainable cities, adaptive infrastructure, urban innovation, climate resilience, urban mobility, waste management, community engagement, strategic foresight, participatory governance summary In this episode, Seyi and Reza explore various advanced technologies that could shape the future of sustainable cities. They discuss adaptive infrastructure, mobile trash disintegration stations, rapid transit pods, climate-resilient domes, localized weather control, vertical urban far...
Jan 13, 2025•37 min•Ep. 28
Ep 27: The Future of Urban Planning
urban planning, sustainability, climate resilience, community, cities, Future Forward podcast, historical context, modernism, new urbanism, social interactions summary In this episode of the Future Forward podcast, Seyi and Reza explore the evolution of urban planning, discussing its historical context, modern movements, and current trends. They emphasize the importance of community, sustainability, and climate resilience in shaping the future of cities. The conversation highlights the need for ...
Jan 05, 2025•34 min•Ep. 27
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