The ground beneath our cities is shifting—literally in coastal areas facing sea level rise, but also conceptually as we grapple with what urbanism means in an era of profound environmental, technological, and social transformation. 

Stephanie Wakefield's provocative exploration of Miami as a laboratory for climate adaptation challenges us to completely rethink how we imagine urban futures. Moving beyond simplistic narratives of doom or technological salvation, she maps the competing "imaginaries" that shape Miami's development: the relatively recent framing of the city as "sea level rise ground zero" versus newer visions of Miami as a crypto-capital or tech hub. These aren't just abstract ideas but powerful frameworks that directly influence what infrastructure gets built and how resources are allocated.

For anyone interested in the future of cities, climate adaptation, or how we might begin to imagine new forms of urban life in the Anthropocene, Wakefield's analysis offers a challenging and thought-provoking perspective.

Show Notes:

• Further Reading: 
  • Metamorphosis of the City: On the Western Dynamic  by Pierre Menot
  • The Salty Urbanism: A Design Manual for Coastal Zones by Jeff Huber and Diana Mitsova
• To help support the show, pick up a copy of the book through our Amazon Affiliates page at https://amzn.to/4lkjw7G or even better, get a copy through your local bookstore!
• To view the show transcripts, click on the episode at https://bookedonplanning.buzzsprout.com/

RDG Planning & Design
Architects, landscape architects, engineers, artists & planners with a drive to make a difference.

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