Challenger Cities

Chris Fair, CEO of Resonance and publisher of "World's Best Cities" talks about what really separates the world’s cities.

As Chris explains, obsessively measured performance isn’t enough to explain why some cities feel magnetic and others feel interchangeable.

We unpack the World’s Best Cities framework and how liveability, prosperity, and a often-overlooked dimension of lovability shape both the experience of place and its global perception.

We explore the gap between performance and perception, why most cities lack resonance on the world stage, and how the interplay between infrastructure and experience may determine the future of urban success

https://www.worldsbestcities.com/

Researcher and strategist David Akermanis talks about how young people are navigating a world where traditional financial stability has eroded and cities themselves shape economic life.

We explore why the familiar narratives about youth finance, savvy versus reckless, miss the deeper tension underneath. Across stories of early career precarity, the blending of gambling and investing, the limitations of traditional banking advice, and how mobility and access matter as much as income, we dig into how young people are improvising within a system that no longer feels trustworthy.

The conversation reframes stability, money, and the urban experience, and challenges cities and institutions to rethink how they build opportunity and trust for future generations.

https://www.fasterhorses.ca/blog/young-people-amp-money

Evan Snow, co-founder of Zero Empty Spaces talks about why vacancy in cities isn’t a neutral pause but an active force shaping how we feel, move and connect in urban places.

We explore how empty storefronts, abandoned commercial spaces and obsolete interiors drain confidence and disrupt movement, and how creative, low-risk activation can turn them into meaningful places without waiting for the “perfect tenant” or a grant.

Evan’s work reframes empty space as opportunity, showing how activation builds momentum, restores “muscle memory” on streets, and creates social and economic life where there was none. This episode reframes how we think about vacancy, placemaking and the everyday infrastructure of cities.

In this episode of Challenger Cities, Iain Montgomery talks with journalist and author Simon Kuper about his book Impossible City: Paris in the Twenty-First Century and what modern Paris really is beneath its postcard reputation.

We start with Simon’s accidental arrival in the city and the surprising affordability and vibrancy Paris once had, and then explore how it has changed into a global powerhouse of luxury and culture while still maintaining a remarkable commitment to social housing and dense urban life.

Paris’s paradoxes become a lens for thinking about cities more broadly: its suburbs are Europe’s largest urban agglomeration, massive infrastructure projects like the Grand Paris Express shape new futures, and everyday urban rituals, from playgrounds to meals, reveal a collective culture that defies typical Anglo planning assumptions. Along the way we touch on politics, identity and what it means to belong to a city that so many outsiders try to perform as insiders.

In this episode of Challenger Cities, Iain Montgomery is joined by economist and commentator Peter Ryan for a wide-ranging conversation about Ireland, a country that is often talked about but rarely understood.

We dig into why Ireland’s global reputation, from tax haven clichés to headline GDP figures, obscures the lived reality on the ground. Peter unpacks how the country’s early post-independence history shaped a cautious institutional culture, why Ireland’s real constraints are political and regulatory rather than natural or financial, and how GDP growth has failed to translate into housing, infrastructure, and everyday quality of life.

The conversation ranges across energy, industry, transport, housing finance, and party politics, exploring how Ireland became wealthy without becoming fully equipped, and what that tells us about the gap between economic success and civic capacity.

It’s a discussion about national myths, institutional inertia, and the challenge of turning prosperity into places that actually work for people.

Iain Montgomery and Marcus Mayers discuss the complexities of transport systems, focusing on the balance between passenger experience and operational efficiency. They explore the impact of government regulations, the role of technology, and the need for a mindset shift in transport management.

The discussion emphasises the importance of understanding passenger needs, improving accessibility and rethinking marketing strategies in the transport sector. The conversations leads to a call for a more human-centred approach to transport innovation that prioritises quality of life and effective communication.

Takeaways

• Passenger experience is often overlooked in transport operations.
• Operational efficiency is prioritized over passenger needs.
• Government regulations can complicate transport management.
• Technology can enhance the passenger experience.
• Quality of life should be a key focus in transport planning.
• Transport systems need to adapt to changing commuting patterns post-COVID.
• Accessibility is crucial for improving public transport usage.
• Marketing strategies in transport should focus on consumer needs.
• Innovative solutions are needed for better station navigation.
• Cultural challenges within transport organisations hinder progress.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Railway Innovation and Urbanism
• 03:39 Passenger Needs vs. Operational Efficiency
• 06:31 The Impact of Government Decisions on Train Operations
• 09:12 Reforming Transportation Governance
• 12:01 The Role of Digital Infrastructure in Transportation
• 14:28 Quality of Life and Transportation Efficiency
• 17:16 Addressing Anxiety in Public Transport
• 20:03 The Future of Public Transport Management
• 25:18 The Disconnect Between Governance and Transport
• 27:14 Consumer-Centric Marketing in Transport
• 29:37 Navigating Station Environments: The User Experience
• 31:37 Innovative Signage Solutions for Accessibility
• 36:27 The Impact of Historical Design on Modern Transport
• 40:45 Rethinking Transport: A Customer-Centric Approach
• 44:31 The Need for Bureaucratic Reform in Transport

In this episode of Challenger Cities, we chat with Paul Owens, co-founder of BOP Consulting, long-time collaborator of Charles Landry, and one of the most quietly influential thinkers on culture and cities anywhere in the world.

Paul has spent decades helping cities understand something most of them overlook: culture isn’t a sector or an industry, it’s an operating system of a place. It’s who you are, where you come from, and how you imagine yourself collectively as a city.

We talk about:

• Culture as a public good, drawing on Robert Hewison’s definition and why it still cuts through the noise.
• Why assets don’t matter nearly as much as institutional capacity — the ability of a city to reflect on itself and act with confidence.
• London 2012 and how the Cultural Olympiad temporarily galvanised the UK’s cultural brain.
• Berlin’s cultural immune system, its resistance to monoculture, and why it remains a beacon of civic confidence.
• Chengdu’s “Park City” model, greenways, bike networks and how spatial planning can actively cultivate cultural life.
• The vanishing of cheap space and the consequences for artists, identity and civic vibrancy.
• Participation as democratic infrastructure, and why cultural engagement is one of the few things that strengthens both social cohesion and civic imagination.
• Paul’s magic wand: a permanent cultural endowment that recycles the public value culture creates back into the ecosystem.

This episode is for anyone who senses that culture is doing far more work in a city than we usually acknowledge. Paul offers a way to see it, and measure it, and invest in it, that feels both urgent and hopeful.

Melissa Bruntlett discusses her book 'Women Changing Cities' and the transformative role of women in urban mobility and planning. She emphasizes the importance of empathy, care, and community engagement in creating sustainable and equitable cities. The discussion covers various global cities, the challenges faced in transportation, and the impact of female leadership on urban change. Bruntlett shares insights on grassroots movements and the need for collaboration to drive positive change in urban environments.

Takeaways

• Women are making significant contributions to urban mobility.
• Empathy and care are essential in urban planning.
• Cities should be designed with children and families in mind.
• Grassroots movements can lead to meaningful change.
• Female leadership often results in more inclusive policies.
• Transportation systems must address everyday needs, not just commutes.
• Collaboration and community engagement are key to success.
• Stories of transformation can inspire action in other cities.
• Urban planning should focus on creating enjoyable public spaces.
• Change takes time, and patience is crucial in advocacy.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Urban Mobility and Advocacy
• 04:32 Women Transforming Cities
• 07:06 The Inspiration Behind 'Women Changing Cities'
• 10:09 The Role of Women in Urban Mobility
• 12:34 Care and Mobility: A New Perspective
• 15:14 Empathy in Urban Leadership
• 17:57 Navigating Backlash Against Female Leaders
• 20:25 Collective Efforts in Urban Transformation
• 23:03 Finding Common Ground in Urban Development
• 25:39 Global Perspectives on Urban Spaces
• 31:18 Exploring Urban Challenges in Delhi
• 34:04 Innovative Solutions for Women's Safety in Transportation
• 38:46 Empowering Local Voices in Urban Change
• 39:17 Finding Your Place in Urban Advocacy
• 43:51 The Role of Women in Urban Leadership
• 50:04 The Importance of Fun in Urban Spaces
• 56:43 Exploring Urban Challenges and Innovations

This one’s a little different. We sat down with Lady Valeska, a professional dominatrix now based in London, to talk about what cities, workplaces, and leaders could learn from the world of kink.

It turns out, quite a lot!

We talked about power, shame, permission, and trust, but not in the ways you’d expect. Lady Valeska’s version of dominance isn’t about control, rather it's about awareness. She reads people the way good designers read context: through signals, not assumptions.

We got into:

• How communication and consent could fix more than just our sex lives.
• Why shame might be the most dangerous civic material ever invented.
• The death of anticipation in a world addicted to instant gratification.
• What the kink community understands about safety that most cities don’t.
• And why London’s chaos has its own erotic energy — while Toronto still plays it a little too polite.

It’s not an episode about sex. It’s about systems, culture and the trust it takes to make exploration feel safe.

Because whether you’re designing a city, a company, or a scene ... the rules are the same: communication, consent, boundaries, safe words and aftercare.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Kink and Dominatrix Culture
• 04:45 The Evolution of a Dominatrix
• 07:27 Communication and Consent in Kink
• 10:02 Creating a Safe Space for Exploration
• 12:43 The Dynamics of Shame and Acceptance
• 15:03 Gender Fluidity and Societal Norms
• 17:55 Cultural Differences in Leadership and Communication
• 20:22 The Impact of Technology on Kink and Sex Work
• 22:42 The Diversity of Kinks and Online Perceptions
• 25:11 The Importance of Failure in Personal Growth
• 27:46 Communication in Kink and Relationships
• 30:55 Cultural Perspectives on Kink and Acceptance
• 32:02 Comparing Life in Toronto and London
• 36:21 Generational Differences in Acceptance
• 39:05 Wishing for a Better Future: Free Healthcare for All
• 39:56 Exploring Taboo Conversations
• 40:19 Personal Growth Through Challenging Topics

Iain Montgomery and Greg Lindsay explore the intersection of urbanism and technology, discussing how screens and AI are reshaping cities. They delve into the implications of surveillance, the concept of the 15-minute city, and the importance of social equity in urban planning. The discussion also touches on Estonia's digital governance model and the challenges posed by the Saudi urban experiment. Ultimately, they emphasize the need for community engagement and a reimagined approach to urban living.

Takeaways

• Urbanism is about creating spaces that foster community and connection.
• Screens and technology have significantly altered urban life and social interactions.
• AI and augmented reality present both opportunities and challenges for cities.
• Surveillance technologies can undermine the anonymity that cities provide.
• The 15-minute city concept aims to create accessible urban environments.
• Social equity must be considered in urban planning and development.
• Data privacy is a critical concern in the age of smart cities.
• Estonia serves as a model for digital governance and public service delivery.
• The Saudi urban experiment raises questions about the future of city planning.
• Community engagement is essential for successful urban development.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Urbanism and Podcasting
• 05:34 The Impact of Screens on Urban Life
• 08:19 Augmented Reality and AI in Urban Spaces
• 11:07 The Role of Technology in Urbanism
• 14:01 Urbanist Perspectives on Mobility and Transportation
• 16:33 Cultural Contexts of Urban Living
• 19:28 The Future of Urbanism and Family Living
• 22:23 Challenges of Urban Development and Gentrification
• 25:24 The American Dream and Urban Planning
• 32:50 Technological Forces Shaping Urbanism
• 34:44 The Role of Consultancies in Urban Development
• 37:19 Data Collection and Urbanism Challenges
• 40:10 Public vs. Private Sector in Digital Transformation
• 43:48 Estonia's Digital Governance Model
• 45:44 The Dystopian Nature of New Cities
• 51:12 Housing Crisis: A Conspiracy of Affordability
• 56:21 The 15-Minute City: A Controversial Concept
• 01:00:57 The Future of Urbanism: High Touch vs. High Tech