Mitchell Rocheleau, Principal Architect of ROST Architects, meets with Charlie Duff, author of "The North Atlantic Cities" and developer and planner in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. They discuss Dutch history, from the communal efforts of seafaring and building canals, to creating robust  cities in the "Golden Age". Through historical influence, they analyze how the Row House became a footprint for a healthy city, as well as the similarities between cities like London and Amsterdam and such as Boston and New York, in the United States. By analyzing the reasons cities were first created, we can better understand how to create cities and places for our future generations. They go into further detail recalling various ways we can create better living environments in cities; from incorporating a mass public transit system, promoting more green and blue spaces and even designing spaces for the childless adult.

Through planning and community efforts, we can begin to create cities that are beneficial to our livelihood and overall well being, maybe even creating Duff's idea of "Cities of Friendship & Love" in our contemporary world.

Read along on our Website | https://www.rostarchitects.com/articles/2025/8/19/interview-with-charles-duff

Watch the Episode | https://youtu.be/6Ddy34NR78w

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Charles B. Duff is the author of "The North Atlantic Cities", a book on urban planning and development in cities in the United States, as well as those in Europe. Inspired by his travels in his early 20's, he saw the ways in which cities worldwide had different ways of building homes and communities, and why some felt like home more than others. By incorporating his hometown experience of Baltimore, Maryland he was able to recognize a trend in cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, that have Row Houses, and how they promoted community, healthy wellbeing and overall better quality of life.

Connect with Charles Duff: 

Email | [email protected]

The North Atlantic Cities | https://oroeditions.com/product/the-north-atlantic-cities

Jubilee Baltimore | https://jubileebaltimore.org/

Create Streets | https://www.createstreets.com/

Connect with Host Mitchell Rocheleau:

ROST Architects | https://www.rostarchitects.com/ 

Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/703zS0SPOZd6D24TbWjz51?si=486b3447e9704187

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rost.architects

LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/rost-architects

Explore other ROST Architects Interview Series:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZSuBNzpIw06R-A20iHm9eVKqdggmTq0b&si=1LkEOKJIodq8NPbz

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About ROST Architects: In addition to practicing architecture, principal and founder of ROST Architects, Mitchell Rocheleau AIA, searches the world to learn more about the buildings and cities humans have created, from the modern era to prehistory. Through writing, expert interviews, and video documentation, we hope to make our journey available and accessible. 

Our mission is to understand the environments humans have created throughout history, learn from the successes and failures, and contribute to designing a better future.