A new perspective on preservation is the topic of our conversation with Erica Avrami on her groundbreaking book "Second Order Preservation." This episode challenges everything you thought you knew about historic preservation, pushing beyond the binary "listed or not listed" mentality that has dominated the field for decades.

What happens when we shift from seeing preservation as merely saving buildings to understanding it as a powerful tool for social justice and climate action? Avrami reveals how our current policies often privilege certain histories while inadvertently erasing others. She questions whether our designation systems truly serve the broader public and introduces a framework that considers who benefits—and who is burdened—by preservation decisions.

The conversation extends beyond theory to practical paths forward, examining how we might reform preservation policies to better serve communities. Rather than abandoning preservation altogether, Avrami calls for a more intentional approach that evaluates the long-term impacts of our decisions and considers preservation as the freedom to transfer heritage across generations.

Show Notes:

• Further Reading: 
  • Preserving the Vanishing City by Stephanie Ryberg-Webster
  • Reconstructing the Garrick: Adler & Sullivan’s Lost Masterpiece by Tim Samuelson, Eric Nordstrom, Chris Ware, and John Vinci
• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3FZ92en or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
• To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com 

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Join us as we discuss the world of systems thinking with Beth Sawin author of "Multisolving: Creating Systems Change in a Fractured World." Far from being an abstract academic concept, multisolving offers a practical framework that reveals how seemingly separate challenges—from climate change to public health to economic development—can be addressed simultaneously with thoughtfully designed interventions.

Beth takes complex systems theories and makes them accessible through everyday examples. She explains how filling a bathtub helps us understand housing shortages, and how our body's response to thirst demonstrates the power of balancing feedback loops. These relatable analogies unlock a powerful way of seeing the world that planners, community leaders, and change-makers can immediately apply to their work.

Whether you're a seasoned systems thinker or completely new to these concepts, this episode will transform how you approach complex problems and help you discover multisolving opportunities hiding in plain sight. 

Show Notes:

• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4i0SwIV or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
• Further Reading: 
  • From What Is to What If by Rob Hopkins
  • The Equitably Resilient City by Zachary Lamb and Lawrence Vale
• Learn more at The Multisolving Institute where Beth works
• To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/

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The world of planning is transforming at a rapid pace, and staying ahead requires more than just reacting to change—it demands foresight. In this conversation, we welcome back Petra Hurtado to discuss the American Planning Association's 2025 Trend Report, now in its fourth year of helping planners anticipate the forces reshaping our communities.

Petra highlights how "the only constant is accelerating change," explaining the sophisticated trend scouting process that brings diverse perspectives together to identify crucial developments across multiple fields. From technology to climate, work patterns to public spaces, the report categorizes trends into actionable timeframes: Act Now, Prepare, and Learn and Watch.

Ready to future-proof your planning approach? Download the complete 2025 Trend Report from APA's website and start incorporating these insights into your community's planning process today.

Show Notes:

• Check out the full report on APA’s website here.
• Trend Universe: https://planning.org/foresight/trends/ 
• Further Reading: 
  • The Good Ancestor by Roman Krznaric
  • The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

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This episode captures a vision of creating resilient communities that are not only eco-friendly but also accessible and inviting. We explore the five central themes of "The Sustainable Urban Design Handbook," with author Kaarin Knudson's, offering insights on energy efficiency, community connectivity, and innovative design strategies that cater to diverse urban settings.

Show Notes:

• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3EKly0z or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
• Further Reading: 
  • Homelessness is a Housing Problem by Greg Colburn and Clayton Page Aldern 
• To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/

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Steven Robinson joins us to unravel the captivating saga of how dedicated activists thwarted the massive 1990s Television City development on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Imagine the world's tallest building casting a shadow over a vibrant community, threatening its cultural and environmental essence. Our conversation with Robinson shines a spotlight on the resilience and ingenuity of local groups like West Pride and the Civics, who banded together to preserve their neighborhood's diverse character against a looming monolith of luxury towers and retail chaos.

Show Notes:

• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4gHgBTF or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
• Further Reading: 
  • Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
  • The Living City by Roberta Gratz
  • The Well Tempered City by Jonathan F.P. Rose
  • Fighting Westway by William Buzbee
  • Changing Places by Richard Moe and Carter Wilkie

To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/

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In this episode we sit down with Michael Eliason, the architect behind "Building for People: Designing Livable, Affordable, Low-Carbon Communities." Michael unveils the potential of eco-districts as a transformative alternative to the all-too-often car-centric and monotonous transit-oriented developments found in the U.S. Drawing from his extensive research in Europe and China, he casts a spotlight on how cities prioritize ecological orientation and community vibrancy, offering a path to creating sustainable, affordable, and engaging urban spaces.

Show Notes:

• Transit cost project referenced: https://transitcosts.com/about/ 
• Recommended Reading:
  • Soft City by David Sim
  • Inclusive Transportation by Veronica Davis
  • Movement by Marco Giugni 
  • Everyday Utopia by Kristen Ghodsee
  • Killed by a Traffic Engineer by Wes Marshall
• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/40U6Xs4 or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
• Further Reading: 
• To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/

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Have you ever stopped to consider how you would get through your day if driving wasn't an option? We get into this question during our conversation with Anna Zivarts, author of "When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away From Car Dependency." Anna's journey, shaped by living with nystagmus, unveils the challenges and daily realities faced by non-drivers in a predominantly car-dependent society. From disabled individuals to those who simply can't afford a vehicle, Anna sheds light on an often-overlooked demographic and their need for equitable transportation solutions. Her insights encourage a deeper understanding and empathy towards fostering inclusive urban environments.

Show Notes

• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4hf4aPH or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
• Further Reading: 
  • Exploding the Phone by Phil Lapsley
  • Bartering with the Bones of Their Dead by Laurie Arnold
• To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/

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Author Alison Sant joins us to discuss the transformations needed in urban settings to combat climate change and systemic racism. Her book, "From the Ground Up: Local Efforts to Create Resilient Cities," serves as a lens through which we examine the impact of historical policies that have shaped today's urban landscapes. Together, we reveal how cities like New Orleans and Baltimore are grappling with these issues and the ways local, community-led efforts are paving the path toward resilience and equity.

Show Notes:

• Further Reading: Inclusive Transportation by Veronica Davis, The Power Broker by Robert Caro (50th Anniversary of the Book), The Movement by Clara Bingham
• Alison contributed a few articles to Island Press’s last Resilience Matters compilation. Check is out at https://islandpress.org/resilience-matters-download  
• Check out more from Alison at https://alisonsant.com/ 
• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4gpYbHO or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore! You can also purchase through the publisher Island Press and use the discount code Ground.

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Could corporate disinformation be quietly steering our perceptions and political actions? Join us as we engage with Grant Ennis, the author of "Dark PR: How Corporate Disinformation Undermines Our Health and the Environment." Ennis sheds light on the sophisticated strategies corporations use to manipulate public narratives and divert attention from crucial political actions. We discuss how framing influences discourse and underscores the significance of organized political movements in driving genuine change, rather than being sidetracked by superficial solutions and the misleading promise of panacea frames.

Show Notes:

• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/3P5oRS2 or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
• Further Reading: The Big Myth - How American Business Taught Us to Loath Government and Love the Free Market by Naomi Oreskes, No Short Cuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age by Jane McAlevey, If We Burn by Vincent Bevins
• To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/

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In our latest episode we are joined by Sara Bronin, the brilliant mind behind "Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes Our World." With a blend of historical insight and visionary thinking, Sara navigates the intricate world of zoning, advocating for strategic enhancements rather than radical abolition. Imagine neighborhoods unshackled from outdated regulations, poised for vibrant growth and adaptability. Discover how zoning can be a catalyst for cultural resurgence with examples from cities like Nashville and Chicago, and how it addresses (or ignores) environmental challenges in areas like Scottsdale and Tucson. This conversation promises to reshape your understanding of zoning's potential as we explore how zoning transcends private domains to revolutionize public spaces.

Show Notes:

• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/491LWOJ or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
• Further Reading: 
  • America’s Frozen Neighborhoods: The Abuse of Zoning by Robert Elickson
  • Arbitrary Lines by Nolan Gray and check out our episode recording with Nolan here.
  • The Power Broker by Robert Caro
• The National Zoning Atlas project mentioned by Sara: https://www.zoningatlas.org/ 
• To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/ 

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