Podcast
Good for Cities
Hosted by infrastructureinstitutesoc · EN
Welcome to Good for Cities, the podcast that examines the ideas, policies, and trends shaping urban life. Hosted by Matti Siemiatycki, Director of the Infrastructure Institute at the University of Toronto School of Cities, the show asks the essential question: are these interventions really making our cities better? Each episode features conversations with leading urbanists, challenging assumptions about city building to uncover which ideas stand the test of time, and which might need to be rethought, or even scrapped altogether.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Is International Aid Good for Cities?
Dec 1000:31:59Tap to summarizeAccess to reliable infrastructure financing is a key determinant of how rapidly growing cities can develop, yet funding models are shifting in ways that could reshape urban futures across the Global South. Traditional sources of capital are shrinking, while new streams are stepping in, raising questions about who sets the rules and whose priorities are being served. In this episode of Good for Cities, host Matti Siemyiatycki sits down with Astrid R.N. Haas, independent feminist urban economist, to tackle the challenge of financing rapid and equitable urban growth. They explore how cities in Africa and Asia are navigating declining support from traditional donors like the U.S., Canada, and the European Union, alongside new investment from initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road. The conversation examines how these shifts influence planning decisions, infrastructure strategies, and the long-term capacity of cities to guide their own growth.
Transcribe →How To Make Affordable Housing That's Good for Cities
Nov 1400:36:06Tap to summarizeAccess to safe and affordable housing is a key determinant of well-being in any city, yet unaffordability remains a defining crisis of our time. Housing prices have skyrocketed way ahead of wage growth, putting home ownership and affordable rent out of reach for many. What are the causes of deteriorating housing affordability, and what can be done about it? In this episode, Matti Siemiatycki, Director of the Infrastructure Institute, sits down with Dr. Brian Doucet, award-winning teacher and Associate Professor in Planning at the University of Waterloo, to address the tough questions around housing affordability. They explore the forces driving up housing costs, and question whether current policy frameworks are designed to prioritize the needs of investors or the needs of people who require a stable place to live.
Transcribe →Are Bike Lanes Good for Cities?
Oct 1500:37:50Tap to summarizeBike lanes are central to city planning, but why do they spark such fierce debate? On Good for Cities, host Matti Siemiatycki sits down with infrastructure expert Dr. Shoshanna Saxe to cut through the "bikelash" and analyze the numbers. They discuss how to balance public benefits - like the 44% reduction in car-bike conflicts on Bloor Street and the reported 49% jump in retail sales in some urban corridors - with political resistance and equity concerns. Shoshanna shares her research on the gap between data and public perception, offering practical advice for cities looking to build effective, publicly supported, and data-driven bike networks.
Transcribe →Are Beautiful Buildings Good for Cities?
Oct 200:37:50Tap to summarizeWhat role does beauty play in shaping our cities? On Good for Cities, host Matti Siemiatycki sits down with Alex Bozikovic, the Architecture Critic for The Globe and Mail, to dive into the world of design and urban planning. They discuss the critical role of architecture criticism, how to define truly outstanding architecture, and the importance of design in massive projects like Transit-Oriented Development. The conversation explores the aesthetics of modern architecture, the value of public spaces, and how a critic's perspective can challenge assumptions about city-building and community design.
Transcribe →Are Tall Buildings Good for Cities?
Sep 1600:32:49Tap to summarizeCan tall buildings make our cities better? On Good for Cities, host Matti Siemiatycki and award-winning architect Naama Blonder tackle this essential question. They discuss how to overcome pushback, shoebox-sized units, and the loss of human scale to design high-rises that contribute to greater livability and affordability.
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