This week on bigcitysmalltown, we examine San Antonio’s evolving approach to urban growth and resource management through the lens of the city’s deconstruction and circular economy initiatives. San Antonio stands out as the largest city in North America to adopt a deconstruction ordinance, shifting how older buildings are taken down and how building materials are valued, reused, and kept within the community.

Cory Ames sits down with Stephanie Phillips, Senior Deconstruction & Circular Economy Program Manager at the City of San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation, to discuss the origins and aims of this policy, the environmental and community impact of slowing demolition, and the pathways to a more circular local economy. Their conversation offers insight into how these programs seek not only to reduce landfill waste but also to preserve the city’s heritage and build social cohesion.

In this episode, they cover:

• The history and impact of San Antonio’s deconstruction ordinance

• How embodied carbon and building material reuse are becoming central to city planning

• Workforce development and the challenges of scaling deconstruction in a fast-growing city

• The potential for both commercial and residential expansion of circularity efforts

• How local organizations and residents can get involved in supporting reuse and sustainable building practices

• What makes San Antonio uniquely positioned to lead on these issues

Stephanie also shares observations on the city’s “big city, small town” identity, the importance of community engagement in policy, and what a circular future may look like for San Antonio.

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▶️ #135. Planting Change in San Antonio through Community Gardens – How can green spaces transform a city’s health, safety, and future? Host Cory Ames sits down with Gardopia Gardens founder Stephen Lucke to explore the role of urban agriculture in boosting wellbeing, fostering land justice, and inspiring new generations of community leaders in San Antonio.

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