Best Sustainable Urban Development Practices Podcasts (2025)

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(34) Building More Than Homes - A Conversation with Real Estate Developer Sherry Larjani - Spotlight Development 48:39

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2d ago48:39

48:39

Send us a text The Canadian housing market faces significant challenges, from affordability crises to zoning restrictions that slow new development. Yet leaders like Sherry Larjani, founder and president of Spotlight Development Inc., are reshaping how we think about housing. Spotlight on Inclusivity Spotlight Development specializes in high-densit…

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(33) 4-Plex to Mid-Rise: Best Development Opportunities in the GTA - Blair Scorgie - Scorgie Planning 1:07:02

17d ago1:07:02

1:07:02

Send us a text Join us in this informative episode where we sit down with Blair Scorgie, an accomplished Registered Professional Planner and urban designer based in Toronto. With over 17 years of experience spanning public policy, secondary plans, mid-rise housing, and development approvals, Blair brings a deep and practical understanding of Toront…

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(32) A Conversation With a 3rd Generation Real Estate Developer - Justin Aykler from Grid Development 55:10

29d ago55:10

55:10

Send us a text Join us in this engaging episode where we welcome Justin Aykler from Grid Developments and Aykler Real Estate. With over 20 years of experience in the real estate and development industry, Justin shares his journey from starting after his MBA to becoming a key player in his family business. We delve into the multifaceted aspects of r…

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(31) Construction Costs, Red Tape, and Housing Crisis - A Candid Conversation with Marlon Bray 1:04:24

2M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Send us a text In this episode of Real Estate Development Insights, we explore a topic at the heart of every development conversation today: construction costs. Our guest, Marlon Bray, is a seasoned industry expert who recently transitioned from cost consulting into a more hands-on construction management role. With decades of experience in pricing…

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(30) Purpose-Built Rentals: Opportunities and Challenges - Brendan Whitsitt - Imprint Development 55:02

2M ago55:02

55:02

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, we sit down with Brendan Whitsitt to explore the evolving landscape of purpose-built rental housing (PBR). With a career that spans architecture, private development, and large institutional platforms like Tricon Residential, Brendan brings a nuanced perspective on what…

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(29) Beyond Density: Building Mid-Rises for Community and Connection - Jaegap Chung - Studio JCI 1:06:35

2M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

Send us a text In this episode, Join Payam and esteemed architect Jaegap Chung as they delve into the complexities and future of urban housing design. Jaegap, a first-generation immigrant and seasoned architect focusing on housing solutions, shares insights on creating livable and sustainable mid-rise buildings in Toronto. The conversation navigate…

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#119: Timber-first Development, with Bywater Properties 1:00:56

2M ago1:00:56

1:00:56

A conversation with Theo Michell (COO) and Joe Jack Williams (Head of sustainability) at Bywater Properties. We talk about: A timber-first approach to development A case study of 'Paradise', a six-storey timber-led office building in London How timber is becoming more mainstream in UK construction Advice for architects and developers getting starte…

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#118: Sustainable Street Furniture for Joyful Public Spaces, with Furnitubes 46:38

3M ago46:38

46:38

This episode is a conversation with Catherine Barratt, Managing Director of Furnitubes. Furnitubes create modular street furniture that helps to bring communities together. In this episode we discuss how they are innovating with sustainable materials and manufacturing processes to create lower impact furniture at the same price. Furnitubes Website:…

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(28) How To Raise Capital For Real Estate Development? - David Roff - Cranson Capital 46:10

3M ago46:10

46:10

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with David Roff, Vice President of Business Development at Cranson Capital, to discuss all things related to raising equity for residential real estate development. David explains the intricate differences between equity and debt in the context of real estate projects, covering various forms of financing …

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#117: (WILD) Wilding Campuses 52:38

3M ago52:38

52:38

This episode is a conversation about the 'Wilding Campuses' programme, led by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS-UK). We talk about the practicalities of applying a 'wilding' approach on highly altered and designed landscapes on educational campuses. My guests are: Jo Wilkinson, Senior Project Manager, SOS-UK Celine Clarke-Miller, Project …

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S2-E7: Perspectives from the Global South at the IIIEE 46:37

3M ago46:37

46:37

In advance of an upcoming session at the 2025 IIIEE Alumni Conference, this episode offers background and food for thought on the ongoing discussions regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion at the IIIEE. Specifically, it foregrounds perspectives from the Global South at the Institute and the implications for sustainability of working in diverse …

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#116: A Climate of Truth, with Mike Berners-Lee 53:20

3M ago53:20

53:20

Mike Berners-Lee is a consultant and author of the new book A Climate of Truth. In this episode we discuss the polycrisis and how raising standards of honesty is essential to respond to the challenges we are facing. Learn more about and purchase the book: A Climate of Truth - - - Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Consulting and training: h…

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S3-E1: Pia Heidenmark Cook on sustainability transformations, her book and where we are today 44:52

3M ago44:52

44:52

In the first episode of season 3, Sofie invites Pia Heidenmark Cook to talk about sustainability transformations and her (almost) newly published book ‘Embedding sustainability: How to drive organizational transformation’ (2024). Pia graduated from IIIEE in 1997 and has since made a name for herself in the sustainability scene, including as former …

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Intro to Season 3 4:19

3M ago4:19

4:19

Welcome to the third season of Sustainably Speaking: Beyond the Aula, the IIIEE’s very own student-led podcast tackling sustainability topics within our community and abroad! Join us as we bridge the gap between students and researchers, sharing Alumni success stories and uncovering diverse career paths in the world of sustainability. In this pilot…

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#115: (WILD) Urban Rewilding with Communities, with Citizen Zoo 40:02

3M ago40:02

40:02

This is a conversation with Elliot Newton and Ben Stockwell of Citizen Zoo, a Community Interest Company that are rewilding urban areas with communities. We talk about: What rewilding in the city means Grazing animals in urban green spaces Reintroducing water voles and beavers to London Bringing white storks back to London The challenges and opport…

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(27) Prefabrication, Mass Timber, and Sustainable Construction - Matt Bolen from McCallum Sather 58:50

3M ago58:50

58:50

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast, we welcome architect Matt Bolen, who has been a pioneering force in the field of prefabrication & mass timber construction. Matt discusses his extensive experience and passion for innovative building technologies, focusing on sustainable design and prefabricated methods…

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#114: Regenerative Design in Practice, with Scott McAulay (Architype) 1:12:48

3M ago1:12:48

1:12:48

This is a conversation with Scott McAulay, Regenerative Design and Infrastructures Specialist at pioneering architecture studio Architype. We talk about: What 'regenerative design' means in practice for an architecture studio Working with clients in a regenerative process Circular economy principles as a gateway into regenerative design Why regener…

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#113: The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard explained 1:03:38

4M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

This episode is a conversation with Salem Qunsol, Principal Sustainability Consultant at Verte, about the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. Salem was one of the contributors to the standard. He joined me to discuss: The best practice approach to Net Zero Carbon building design The role of natural materials like timber in net zero The role and …

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(26) GTA Developments By The Numbers; Insights From Urban Toronto - Edward Skira & Ash Navabi 46:05

4M ago46:05

46:05

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, Edward Skira and Ash Navabi from Urban Toronto discuss the comprehensive data and trends in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) real estate market. The episode delves into the founding of Urban Toronto, the types of data they track, and the significant impact of policies on …

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#112: How to make sustainability irresistible 57:44

4M ago57:44

57:44

My guest is Virginia Cinquemani, a coach, trainer and Director at Green Gorilla. In this episode we discuss strategies from her book The Good Communicator on how to communicate sustainability with clients, communities and colleagues. This episode is for anyone who wants practical advice on how to promote sustainability by understanding why people a…

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#111: Engaging Communities with the Future of Place and Nature, with the Place Bureau 1:02:39

4M ago1:02:39

1:02:39

My guests today are Rosanna Vitiello, Chief at the Place Bureau, and Domenica Landin, Associate Design Researcher at Place Bureau. Place Bureau is a research, strategy and design studio that defines new frontiers for places around the world. We talk about: How to meaningfully engage communities with the future of their places and climate adaptation…

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Nature-led Masterplanning and Placemaking + Webinar Announcement 1:00:50

4M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

Register for the webinar on 25 April: Nature-led Masterplanning with EcoResponsive Environments This podcast is a re-upload of my conversation with Prachi Rampuria and Soham De of EcoResponsive Environments from October 2024. We talk about their approach to designing sustainable and resilient new places based on natural systems. I'll be hosting a f…

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(25) Landlord to Real Estate Developer - Mike Zavershnik - 17A Properties 53:23

4M ago53:23

53:23

Send us a text In this episode, Payam hosts Mike, a seasoned entrepreneur who has made the shift from a landlord to a real estate developer. Mike shares his experiences, challenges, and learnings, from starting a tech-incubator company that didn't survive the dot-com burst to build a successful real estate portfolio with 300+ units. They dive deep …

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#110: Wild Cities - Lessons from cities where biodiversity thrives 57:12

4M ago57:12

57:12

My guest today is Chris Fitch, author of the upcoming book Wild Cities: Discovering New Ways of Living in the Modern Urban Jungle. In this episode we discuss case studies of cities around the world that embrace wilder nature. We go beyond the usual case studies like Singapore to explore lesser known examples like: Tallinn, Estonia - the city with p…

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#109: (WILD) Rewilding and Reconnecting Towns with the Landscape 52:22

5M ago52:22

52:22

This episode is a conversation with Stephen Mason, Community Parks Officer at Cheltenham Borough Council. We discuss: Urban rewilding projects in Cheltenham - including meadows and orchards Reconnecting urban areas with their surrounding landscape How the 'rewilding' concept engages communities in biodiversity projects Measuring the success of rewi…

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Free Tool: Your City's Climate in 2050 9:33

5M ago9:33

9:33

Get free tool: https://free.greenurbanist.org/2050climatetool In this episode I share a free tool you can use to understand what the local climate of 520 major world cities will be like in the year 2050. - - - Subscribe to the Green Urbanist Newsletter Consulting and training: https://greenurbanist.org/ Podcast website: https://greenurbanistpod.com…

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(24) Construction Innovation Checklist - A Practical Framework For Your Next Project. 48:40

5M ago48:40

48:40

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, host Payam Noursalehi discusses the importance of adapting to changes in the construction and real estate development industry. With no guests, Payam shares his personal experiences and insights from working on various projects over the years. The episode focuses on the…

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#108: (WILD) Rewilding for Urban Flood Resilience 57:04

5M ago57:04

57:04

My guests on this episode are Ian Russell and Jamie Kukadia from the watercourses team at London Borough of Enfield. We discuss: 'Rewilding Enfield' - rewilding urban streets, parks and rivers. Nature-based flood resilience and sustainable drainage versus traditional engineering. Reintroducing beavers to London. The benefits of conservation livesto…

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#107: Strategies for Communicating Sustainability with Clients and Communities 22:15

5M ago22:15

22:15

In this episode I share 4 tips for effectively communicating about sustainability and climate change with a variety of audiences like clients, collaborators and the public. The four strategies I share are: Start with empathy and tailor your message to the audience. Lead with a positive narrative. Make it tangible and relevant. Don't preach. Co-crea…

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(23) Canada Vs. US - Housing Crisis; Similarities & Differences - Edd Hamzanlui of MassCan Capital 51:11

5M ago51:11

51:11

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights podcast, host Payam Noursalehi is joined by Ed Hamzanlui, founder and operator of Masscan Capital in Boston, Massachusetts. Ed shares his experience and insights into the housing crisis solutions being implemented in Massachusetts. They discuss various initiatives like the MBTA …

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#106: Sustainable Placemaking - creating places where people and nature thrive 40:55

5M ago40:55

40:55

In this episode I explore Sustainable Placemaking: an 8-step process for creating places that people love and maximise sustainability opportunities. So many masterplans create soulless and unsustainable places. In this episode I explain how getting the planning and design process right can unlock opportunities for placemaking, biodiversity, circula…

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(22) It Is The Best Time To Become A Real Estate Developer (Potentially!) - Josh Kaufman of InnoDev Partners 53:32

6M ago53:32

53:32

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast, I sat down with Josh, a seasoned executive in the housing development industry, to discuss his journey from a high-profile corporate role to co-founding InnoDev Partners. They explore the complexities of Toronto’s housing market, the concept of missing middle housing, a…

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#105: (WILD) Wilding the City, with Sophie Thompson (LDA Design) 48:28

6M ago48:28

48:28

This is episode 2 of 6 in the podcast series on urban rewilding. My guest is Sophie Thompson, a landscape architect and Director at LDA Design. In this episode we discuss: How wild nature can be brought into city streets and public spaces The importance of working closely with local communities Examples of LDA’s transformations of highly urban spac…

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#104: Local Energy Solutions: Case Studies + Interactive Map 37:47

6M ago37:47

37:47

My guest is Duygu Kutluay, a campaigner at Beyond Fossil Fuels. We discuss: Why local community projects need to be part of Europe’s energy transition away from fossil fuels. Beyond Fossil Fuels' new interactive map of community-based energy projects that you can access on their website. Six case studies of local energy projects from across Europe.…

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(21) Mid-Rise Buildings; The Mattamy Way - Dave Dekort from Mattamy Homes 53:32

6M ago53:32

53:32

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast, we interview Dave Dekort, Director of Project Management at Mattamy Homes, to discuss developing mid-rise buildings in the Greater Toronto Area. Dave shares his background, the evolution of Mattamy Homes, and the company’s shift from low-rise to urban mid-rise construct…

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#103: The 5 Types of Sustainable Change-Maker and Your Role in Systems Change 26:28

6M ago26:28

26:28

In this episode I explore the different roles that built environment professionals can play in leveraging systems change for sustainability. This is based on interviewing 122 guests on this podcast and exploring systems change research. The 5 types of change-makers are: Champion and Coordinator Researcher and Storyteller Topic Expert Innovator Syst…

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#102: (WILD) Rewilding Urban Parks with Lost Species - Sean McCormack, Ealing Beaver Project 56:16

6M ago56:16

56:16

This episode is part of a 6-part series on Urban Rewilding. My guest is Sean McCormack, Chair of Ealing Wildlife Group. Sean led the reintroduction of harvest mice and beavers into urban parks in London, UK. In this episode we discuss: What is 'Urban rewilding' and why we should do it. What made these projects successful. Getting support from the c…

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(20) Legal Structures in Real Estate Development - Zev Zlotnick from Gardiner Roberts LLP 44:07

7M ago44:07

44:07

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast, we interview Zev, a partner at Gardner Roberts LLP, a full-service law firm in Toronto, to discuss essential legal considerations for real estate developers. From choosing the proper legal structure, whether a limited partnership or a co-tenancy, to the importance of du…

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#101: Sacrifice Zones - Rebuild after disaster or return to nature? 56:46

7M ago56:46

56:46

This episode is a conversation with Jonathan Rosenbloom, Associate Dean at Albany Law School who has researched and written about sacrifice zones. He is also the Executive Director for the Sustainable Development Code. We discuss: Whether neighbourhoods that have been destroyed by natural disasters should be rebuilt or designated as no-build 'Sacri…

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Episode 6: Climate Fresk as a tool to understand climate crisis 26:06

7M ago26:06

26:06

In this episode, Justine sat down with Lea Levy to discuss the "Climate Fresk" and other "serious games" designed to tackle complex global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and soil health. Lea shares how she’s used the Climate Fresk tool with a variety of audiences—from students and teachers to corporate teams—and how these tools …

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#100: Create Sustainable Change through your Work - Advice from 3 Experts 1:16:37

7M ago1:16:37

1:16:37

This is a recording of a live streamed podcast episode to celebrate episode 100 of the podcast. I was joined by three guests, who you might recognise from past episodes: Laura Baron, Head of Sustainability, Purcel Scott McAulay, Regenerative Design and Infrastructures Specialist, Architype Conrad Richardson, Sustainable Mobility Expert We discussed…

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(19) A Conversation with a (New) Real Estate Developer - Jonathan Diamond from Well Grounded Real Estate 40:35

7M ago40:35

40:35

Send us a text Jonathan Diamond is a principal at Well Grounded Real Estate, a family-run firm that owns and operates a portfolio of multi-family and retail properties throughout Ontario. He has been instrumental in driving purpose-built rental developments, showcasing a commitment to scalable strategies for building design, development, and execut…

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(18) 2024 Recap: Highlights and Lessons from the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast 1:00:17

8M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Send us a text In this special episode, we look back at the show's first year. We recap the key highlights from each episode. (#17) Major Streets & Multiplex Housing in City of Toronto (#16) A Conversation With A Real Estate Developer (#15) Limberlost Case Study: A Pioneering Mass Timber Project (#14) Building Code Changes, Opportunities & Shortcom…

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(17) Major Streets & Multiplex Housing; Opportunities For Real Estate Development In Toronto - Michael Testaguzza - Robert McQuillan 58:59

8M ago58:59

58:59

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast, I interview Michael Testaguzza and Robert McQuillan to discuss recent changes in the City of Toronto's housing policies (Major Streets & Multiplex Housing), focusing on expanding housing options in neighbourhoods. They delve into the specifics of multiplex and major str…

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#99: Sustainability Career Advice + 3 Circular Economy Case Studies, with Valentina Petrone 54:09

8M ago54:09

54:09

My guest on this episode is Valentina Petrone, a circular economy expert based in New South Wales, Australia. In this episode, Valentina gives career advice for those who want to transition from traditional built environment careers into sustainability. We also discuss three of her projects: New South Wales Circular Design Guidelines Bradfield City…

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(16) A Conversation with a Real Estate Developer - Shakeel Walji from Sher Corporation 54:40

9M ago54:40

54:40

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast, seasoned real estate developer Shakeel Walji shares insights from his 30-year career in the industry. Shakeel discusses his unconventional journey from engineering to marketing and ultimately into real estate development, where he now manages multiple businesses. He off…

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#98: Circular Economy: Making Material Reuse Happen at Scale, with Material Index 49:55

9M ago49:55

49:55

This episode is a conversation with Morgan Lewis, Co-Founder and CEO at Material Index. In the UK, 60% of all waste comes from the construction industry and only 2% of building components in the UK are reused. In this episode, Morgan explains how Material Index are trying to tackle this by working with building owners, contractors and project teams…

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(15) Limberlost Case Study: A Pioneering Mass Timber Project - Phil Silverstein 1:02:47

9M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

Send us a text In this episode of the Real Estate Development Insights Podcast, I sit down with Phil Silverstein, a principal at Moriyama Teshima Architects, to discuss the significance of George Brown College's Limberlost Project as a Pioneering Project. Phil shares insights into his journey into regenerative design, the advantages of mass timber …

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(14) Building Code Changes, Opportunities, and Shortcomings for Real Estate Developments; Jack Keays, P.Eng. 51:53

9M ago51:53

51:53

Send us a text In this Real Estate Development Insights Podcast episode, I interview Jack Keays, the principal at Vortex Fire, and we talk about Building Code changes, opportunities, and shortcomings for real estate developments. The discussions cover the evolution of building codes, their impact on the construction and real estate industries, and …

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#97: Climate Adaptation Strategies for Urban Trees and Woodlands 51:52

10M ago51:52

51:52

In this episode I share some learnings from my recent research project about how climate change is likely to affect an urban nature reserve in London and climate adaptation recommendations for the reserve's management. I discuss: How to make climate change projections tangible at the city-level How climate change may impact on some common tree and …