In this episode, we head to Bratislava, Slovakia, to explore how a city can be reimagined through the eyes of its youngest residents. As cities worldwide grapple with safety, inclusivity, and accessibility, Bratislava is setting an inspiring example by prioritizing child-friendly urban design. Host Davion Ford speaks with Simon Battisti, Creative Director at the Start with Children Summit, to uncover how child-focused planning can transform urban spaces into healthier, safer, and more inviting environments for everyone. From school streets that protect children from traffic to innovative approaches in public engagement, Bratislava is paving the way for cities to rethink their priorities. Tune in to learn how the Slovak capital is not only creating opportunities for play and independence but also inspiring cities worldwide to embrace urban design that fosters well-being for all generations.

Cottbus, Germany, is a city with a rich coal-mining history now poised to become a leader in sustainable mobility. In this episode, we explore how Deutsche Bahn, German’s national train operator, is driving this transformation with the construction of its largest and most advanced ICE-4 maintenance depot. Join host Davion Ford as he speaks with Marc Hermann from Deutsche Bahn, who is the Management Representative of the New Cottus Plant Project. Marc talks about how this innovative project is creating job opportunities, revitalizing a region in transition, and reducing train maintenance times by 50%. This facility symbolizes a shift toward sustainable transportation and economic regeneration in the Lausitz region. Listen now to discover how Cottbus is embracing its future role in Germany’s transition to green mobility.

What does it take to reenergize a city’s legacy and prepare it for a greener, more sustainable future? In this episode, we visit St. Thomas, Ontario, a Canadian city that’s turning its transportation heritage into a launch pad for innovation. At the heart of this transformation is Yarmouth Yards, a 1,500-acre industrial park anchored by PowerCo’s electric vehicle battery gigafactory. Join the Mayor of St. Thomas, Joe Preston, Arcadis Canada’s Country Director, Scott Arbuckle, and our special correspondent Grayden Laing as they discuss the vision, collaboration, and bold steps driving this transformational project—from economic growth and sustainable infrastructure to brownfield redevelopment.

In this special episode, we take you to Berlin, the vibrant capital of Germany, to explore the groundbreaking EUREF Campus—a living laboratory for sustainable urban development. From its historic Gasometer to its cutting-edge energy systems, the EUREF Campus is an important example of how cities can innovate for a greener, smarter future. Join our special correspondent Serafin Dinges as he goes behind the scenes at this unique hub for urban innovation. You will also hear from Karin Teichmann, spokesperson of the board of EUREF AG, and Birgit Detig from Arcadis, as they share how this remarkable project has achieved CO₂ neutrality since 2014, decades ahead of national targets, and why it's inspiring sustainable projects worldwide. Tune in for an immersive journey to one of Berlin’s most forward-thinking urban initiatives.

In this episode of Better Cities by Design, host Davion Ford is joined by a panel of experts to explore the transformative potential of hydrogen technology in creating sustainable cities. Artiom Loginov from Cummins Inc., Brett Ryan from Hydrogen UK, and Paul Aspinall from Arcadis discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating hydrogen into urban infrastructure. They delve into hydrogen's critical role in achieving net-zero emissions, the importance of public-private collaboration, and the need for safety measures. The conversation also highlights the scalability of hydrogen, strategies for its widespread adoption, and the vision of a future where hydrogen is seamlessly integrated into urban energy systems. Tune in to discover how hydrogen could power a greener, more sustainable future for cities around the world.

In this episode of Better Cities by Design, we venture into the heart of Canada to explore how the City of Red Deer is revolutionizing its parking system. Host Davion Ford talks with Amy Fengstad and Amara Heppell from Red Deer about the city's efforts to upgrade its outdated parking meters to a modern, app-based system. Discover how this transformation is improving convenience and efficiency for residents, the challenges faced along the way, and the innovative approaches taken to engage with the community. Plus, hear about the next steps for urban mobility in Red Deer and how other cities might draw inspiration from their experience. Tune in to hear how Red Deer is paving the way for smarter, more connected urban living.

In this special episode of Better Cities by Design, we have convened a panel of experts to discuss a topic that’s important for all cities: road safety. We’re exploring this persistent challenge in the context of the United States, where traffic accidents are the number one cause of death for people under the age of 55, despite the significant technological advances we’ve seen over the past two decades. To find out what more can be done to make the roads in and around US cities safer, we speak with Laura Chace, President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, Brian Cronin, Director of the Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office at the Federal Highway Administration, part of the US Department of Transportation, and Ramin Massoumi, Global Solutions Director – Mobility and Connected Highways at Arcadis.

Hop on for a ride through Amsterdam's urban landscape on this episode of Better Cities by Design. Join host Davion Ford as he chats with Sietze Faber, one of the masterminds behind Amsterdam's road safety and cycling ambitions. Explore the city's vision for zero carbon movement and zero traffic accidents by 2050. Unravel the challenges of creating cyclist-friendly spaces and discover how Amsterdam is paving the way for sustainable urban mobility. Don't miss this smart discussion that will give you new perspectives on streets as the arteries of urban life.

In this episode of Better Cities by Design, explore the story of Vancouver's climate disaster that, for many, flew under the radar. Join host Davion Ford as he engages in a captivating conversation with Bryan Crosby, Director of Infrastructure Resilience at the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Learn about the impact of the 2021 atmospheric river event on British Columbia's transportation network and explore the imperative for a multi-dimensional approach to resilience, guided by data insights and systems-thinking.  Bryan sheds light on the challenges and opportunities in fortifying infrastructure and building climate resilience across Vancouver and beyond. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the innovative strategies shaping the future of urban infrastructure in British Columbia.

Embark on a journey through Dublin's smart city landscape as this episode of Better Cities by Design brings you a conversation with Jamie Cudden, Smart City Program Manager, and Payal Pandya, Project Manager and Business Analyst, both at Dublin City Council. Davion talks to them about innovative solutions to urban challenges, with an emphasis on connectivity, data insights, and collaboration. We learn about transformative projects like the CurbIQ pilot, which is revolutionizing curbside management in Ireland’s capital and hear about the impact of COVID-19 on mobility patterns. Join us as we explore the Smart Dublin program, at the intersection of technology, innovation, and community impact.