In this episode of The Century of Cities, we are joined by Shenjing He, Professor and Head of the Department of Urban Planning & Design at the University of Hong Kong. Drawing on decades of transformation, she reflects on China’s journey from a predominantly rural society to a nation defined by megacity regions, high-speed mobility, and ambitious net-zero commitments. Shenjing highlights the enduring challenges of inequality, the housing struggles of rural migrants, and the complexity between national ambitions and local entrepreneurialism. She shares why regional integration will be essential, how intergenerational equity and climate resilience will shape the future, and what lessons China’s urbanization offers to Africa and South Asia. Shenjing also considers the evolving role of the urban scholar, the tensions between collaboration and competition in city clusters, and why she remains cautiously optimistic about the long game for sustainable, equitable cities.

The Century of Cities welcomes Patrick McVeigh, Technical Director - Economic Development Advisory at Beca. In this special listener series, Patrick reflects on the episodes that resonated most, the guests who offered new insights, and the cities that have shaped how he thinks about growth and innovation.

In this special listener series of The Century of Cities, we’re joined by Opportune Simone, Strategic Operations - Asset Management at Places for London. Opportune highlights her favourite moments from the podcast, the guests who sparked fresh ideas, and the cities that challenge her to think differently about the future.

The Century of Cities welcomes Vasant Chari, Director of Regional & Local Growth at Connected Places Catapult. In this special listener series, Visant shares the episodes he enjoyed, the guests who inspired him, and the cities that challenge him to think differently about growth and innovation.

In this special listener series of The Century of Cities, we’re joined by Anna Look, Founder of Look Ahead Consulting and Co-Owner of Rabbit Hill Snow Resort. Anna reflects on her favourite episodes, standout guests, and the cities that have captured her imagination.

The Century of Cities welcomes Jorick Beijer, Urbanist and Co-Founder of Blossity, a global strategy consultancy driving innovation districts and corporate urbanism. In this special listener series, Jorick shares the episodes he loved most, the guests who sparked new ideas, and the cities that left a lasting impression.

In this special listener series of The Century of Cities, we’re joined by Bhakti More, Chairperson & Professor at the School of Design & Architecture and Head of the Centre for ESG at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai Campus. Bhakti shares her favourite episodes, standout guests, and the cities that have captured her imagination.

In this episode of The Century of Cities, we are joined by Eugenie Birch, scholar, city planner, and Lawrence C. Nussdorf Chair of Urban Research at the University of Pennsylvania. With an eye on both history and horizon, Genie discusses the divergent trajectories of northern and southern cities, and why policy gaps, financing bottlenecks, and the role of planners will define the next century. She makes the case for universities as anchor institutions, explains the trillion-dollar shortfall in climate-resilient infrastructure, and shares bold ideas behind urban finance.  Genie also explains why technical expertise and political trust must grow together, how the global South can leapfrog with the right investment, and why she remains “extremely optimistic” about the long game for cities.

Clare Wildfire, Global Cities Lead at Mott MacDonald and a champion of systems thinking, joins The Century of Cities to explore how infrastructure has evolved since 1980, why today’s cities are hitting critical limits, and how reimagining interconnectivity can unlock more resilient, inclusive futures. Drawing on her journey from engineering megaprojects to convening cross-sector conversations, Clare offers a unique lens on the systems that power urban life. She discusses the cascading risks cities now face, from climate breakdown to social inequality, and paints two vivid futures for 2080: one dystopian, one regenerative. Her message is clear: to build cities that thrive, we must design with complexity, curiosity, and collaboration at the core.

The Century of Cities welcomes Lord Marvin (Baron Rees of Easton) Rees OBE, Former Mayor of Bristol and Member of the House of Lords. Marvin reflects on growing up in a racially divided, economically constrained Bristol of the 1980s, and contrasts it with today’s booming but still deeply unequal urban landscape. He shares what it means to lead with lived experience and why inclusion isn’t optional, it’s foundational.

Spanning past, present, and future, Marvin makes the case for cities that plan boldly, act intentionally, and build trust across generations. He unpacks the real cost of climate action (spoiler: it’s not just political will), explains why diversity is a competitive edge, not a quota, and explores how cities can lead where nations stall. We also hear his hopes for using his seat in the House of Lords to amplify urban voices and elevate global city leadership.