Best Pete Ahmad Podcasts (2025)

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TTPod 5.2: "The Chaos Precinct" - In conversation with Author and Planner, Dr. Tanya Zack 45:05

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18d ago45:05

45:05

Welcome back to the Talking Transformation Podcast! We'redelighted to welcome back Tanya Zack, a renowned urban planner and author, joining us from Johannesburg. Tanya first graced our podcast in February 2023 when shediscussed her book "Wake Up, This is Joburg!", a fascinatingexploration of inner-city Johannesburg urban landscape and the vibrant c…

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Episode 23 – Militarization in Jordan with Dr. Pete Moore and Dr. Sean Yom 1:06:59

3M ago1:06:59

1:06:59

In this episode, Ezra Karmel speaks with Sean Yom and Pete Moore about their recent special issue in MELG, "Reconceptualizing Security and Political Economy in the Modern Middle East," which includes articles on Syria and Yemen. We focus on their own contribution in the issue, which focuses on the extreme militarization, delving into how this syste…

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TTPod 5.1: "Unlocking Networks & Potential With Community Data" in conversation with Wakamoso Africa's Dr Melani Prinsloo and Mike Matthews 1:00:37

3M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

It's been a busy couple of months behind the scenes of the Talking Transformation podcast. I've been eager to introduce a visual element to the podcast to highlight some of the rich visual imagery and products highlighted by our guests. This has involved a lot of upskilling and learning on my part to ensure that what we produce is both fit for purp…

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TTPod 4.7: "Lines, Wines and Tears!" - the ups and downs of Johannesburg's post-2000 Metro Planning Policy 45:31

10M ago45:31

45:31

We follow up from our introductory episode with a second podcast episode featuring the planners who have worked as the head of the City of Johannesburg's Metro Planning unit 2000: Johan Olivier, Pete Ahmad, Nkateko Shipalana, Thandeka Mlaza-Lloyd and Minenhle Maphumulo. These guests represent a straight line ofsuccession from the inception of the m…

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TTPod 4.6: iGoli's Post-2000 Metro Planning Generations and Perspectives - Intro Episode 49:14

11M ago49:14

49:14

After a period of downtime on the TTPod recording front, we return with this first episode of a miniseries contemplating the metropolitan scale planning challenges and approaches adopted in the City of Johannesburg since 2000.This first introductory episode acts as an introductory episode, introducing six of us: professional planners who have held …

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TTPod 4.5: Financing and Shaping Township Transformation - the uMaStandi perspective 59:46

1y ago59:46

59:46

The small-scale rental sector continues to gain momentum and prominence in discussions about city building and the required funding and infrastructure requirements to support this emerging property market, It’s also become a recurring theme on the Talking Transformation Podcast. uMaStandi has been working in this space since 2018 and continue to re…

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Episode 22 – MENA Local Governance with Dr Ellen Lust, Dr Intissar Kherigi, & Dr Christiana Parreira 45:36

1+ y ago45:36

45:36

In collaboration with the Governance Uncovered podcast of the Governance and Local Development Institute (GLD), Ellen Lust moderates a discussion on decentralisation and local governance in the Middle East and North Africa, focusing in particular on Tunisia, Lebanon, and Jordan. She is joined by Intissar Kherigi, Christiana Parreira, and Ezra Karme…

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TTPod 4.4: "A Hill to Die On?" Unpacking South Africa's NSDF: National Spatial Development Framework 58:43

1+ y ago58:43

58:43

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, our subject is South Africa's National Spatial Development Framework (NSDF) - a long-term spatial plan that sets South Africa's spatial agenda and trajectory towards 2050. As a legally mandated plan via SPLUMA, it completes the "set" of government spatial plans adding to the provincial and muni…

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TTPod 4.3: "Future Khayelitsha" Now Now Contest #2 - in conversation with local entrepreneurs and contest co-ordinator 46:53

1+ y ago46:53

46:53

In August last year we were delighted to work with the fledgling Now Now Competition that used the Cape Town stadium as a focal point for its inaugural design contest. In it's second iteration the Now Now contest has shifted focus within Cape Town from Green Point to Khayelitsha's Spine Road. In this latest episode of the Talking Transformation Pod…

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TTPod 4.2: "Hack Your Shack" - In Conversation with Marlene Lerch Co-Founder Dooiy 21:38

1+ y ago21:38

21:38

For our first recording of the year the Talking Transformation Podcast we are blending innovation, international and entrepreneurial flavours with our guest, Marlene Lerch co-founder of the "Dooiy" – Hack your Schack NGO. Dooiy is a fledgling non-profit organisation from Germany that operates between Berlin and South Africa. I first met Marlene whi…

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Episode 21 - Coalition Governments in the MENA with Dr Francesco Cavatorta & Dr Hendrik Kraetzschmar 49:11

1+ y ago49:11

49:11

In this episode, Ezra Karmel speaks with Francesco Cavatorta and Hendrik Kraetzschmar about their recent special issue in MELG examining multiparty coalition government in the Arab MENA. We discuss key features of coalition formation, composition, and duration/durability, why they have grown in prevalence, what they can teach us about coalitions in…

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TTPod 4.1: "Housing in African Cities - A Lens on Urban Governance" - A Conversation with Book Editors Drs' Sarah Charlton, Neil Klug and Margot Rubin 45:27

1+ y ago45:27

45:27

2024 is an important year for South Africa that will - no doubt - see plenty of reflection on 30 years of democracy and consider the achievements of this democratic era and the perennial and future challenges facing communities across the country. One of those perennial challenges remains the progressive realisation of housing for all – a quest tha…

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TTPod 3.16: "Frontierlands" - discussing the Central Blue Housing Project with Citra Construction 50:46

2y ago50:46

50:46

I was first made aware of the unique building typologies in the Blue Downs area in the early 2020s. Central Blue eState and eHousing units certainly didn’t look like a conventional affordable housing project or subscribe to many of the unit design concepts I’m familiar with. I’ve been intrigued by the thinking behind the units and the design ever s…

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TTPod 3.15: Foreign Fields and Future Horizons - In Conversation with Mahmood Al-Wahaibi (Oman Think Urban) 38:59

2y ago38:59

38:59

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast we change our geography considerably, from a South African context, to the Arabinan Peninsula and Persian Gulf region. Our guest is Mahmood Al-Wahaibi an urban planner, ethnographer and academic who heads up OTU: the Oman Think Urban. The OTU is a Think Tank that blends urban ethnography and pla…

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TTPod 3:14: Not, Knock, Knockin' on Treasury's Door - Why Transnet should look at it's own land holdings to solve its financial woes: In conversation with Prof. Ivan Turok 29:01

2y ago29:01

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Welcome to the latest episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast released on World Town Planning Day, the 8th of November 2023. It's a great way to celebrate this initiative with this latest episode,as we pick up on a familiar TTPod theme: the issue of state-owned land - in this instance, properties owned by Transnet - and the opportunity to bui…

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TTPod 3.13: Connecting Communities - Reflections from the ESRI South Africa User Conference (Part 2 of 2 episodes) 44:42

2y ago44:42

44:42

In this second of the Talking Transformation Podcasts recorded at the ESRI Southern Africa User Conference, we are joined bythree highly innovative and motivated individuals: Vhuyo Nevari, from ESRI South Africa Nsovo Pearl Maluleke, Planning Masters Student at the University of Johannesburg and, Tshidi Morabi , representing the STEAM4kids initiati…

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TTPod 3.12: Connecting Communities - Reflections from the ESRI South Africa User Conference (Part 1 of 2 episodes) 37:29

2y ago37:29

37:29

After a welcome break from comms, welcome back to the Talking Transformation Podcast and the first of two episodes recorded at the Esri Southern Africa GIS user conference in the Drakensberg,KwaZulu Natal during the week of the 23rd of October. As somebody who's used Geographic Information System (GIS) extensively over my career as a town planner -…

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TTPod 3.11: "Beneath the Tip of Iceberg" - In Pursuit of Harmony and a Multicultural South Africa with Revs. Andrew Esterhuizen and Bossie Muller 32:53

2y ago32:53

32:53

In TTPod 1.4 “A Tour of Duty and of Service” - we highlighted the issue of healing in communities and peacemaking with the World Bank Group’s Dr Jana el Horr. Several years on from that podcast we revisit the theme, specifically the multicultural dimensions of building trust, understanding and collaboration within and between communities. Our guest…

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TTPod 3.10: "Open Circuit / Closed Circuit" - in conversation with the Now Now architecture contest collaborative 38:57

2y ago38:57

38:57

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, we engage with four of the collaborators behind the inaugural NowNow architecture competition - https://www.nownowcompetition.com/. It's a unique and new take on the opportunities afforded by a new sporting event in the Cape Town calendar - Formula E racing - and a brief to design a sustainable…

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TTPod 3.9: "Show and Tell Part 3" Conversations with Urban Planning and Design officials 49:30

2y ago49:30

49:30

We conclude the Talking Transformation Podcast mini-series recorded at the City of Cape Town’s Civic Centre discussing the scales of planning on show during the EXPO. We talk to the metro spatial planning team - setting the broad citywide spatial framework including the policy and strategy components. We discuss foundations of that scale of plannin…

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TTPod 3.8: "Show and Tell Part 2" - Conversations with students and lecturers engaged in the CoCT Urban Planning and Design Expo '23 30:20

2y ago30:20

30:20

We are straight into our second of three Talking Transformation Podcast conversations recorded at the City of Cape Town’s Spatial Planning and Urban Design exhibition that took place between July 27th and August the 2nd. In our first episode we heard from the management and organisation teams from the City’s Planning and Urban Design department. In…

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TTPod 3.7: "Show and Tell Part 1" - Overview of the City of Cape Town's Urban Planning and Design Expo '23 43:28

2y ago43:28

43:28

This Talking Transformation Podcast mini-series differs slightly from our usual approach. The episodes that follow canvass the thoughts and perspectives of participants in the City of Cape Town’s Spatial Planning and Urban Design exhibition that has been taking place between July 27th and August the 2nd. On August the 1st I spoke with many of the p…

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TTPod 3.6: "From the Ground Up!" - Participants of DAG's CDA reflect on their respective journeys into the small-scale rental property sector 1:05:41

2y ago1:05:41

1:05:41

Two episodes ago the Talking Transformation Podcast considered the genesis story of NGO, Development Action Group's Contractors and Developers Academy (CDA). In this episode we reconnect with the theme of micro development with two members of the CDA and two academy participants and graduates: developer Luvo Mayaphi and contractor Brian Bango. Both…

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TTPod 3.5 - "Natural Born Planners" - Enhancing the voice and needs of children in planning and design processes 43:35

2y ago43:35

43:35

The latest Talking Transformation Podcast takes me back in time to a period when children and youth were at the forefront of planning innovation in the City of Johannesburg. In 2009 I led an initiative with the City of Johannesburg's Development Planning and Facilitation team to several schools across Johannesburg. The objectives? Interrogate and p…

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TTPod 3.4: Capacitating the Small-Scale Rental Market: a Conversation with DAG's CDA team 59:47

2y ago59:47

59:47

After a lengthy break, the TTPod returns with an in-depth discussion with members of DAGs Contactors and Developers Academy (CDA). We explore the genesis of the initiative and how the NGO identified a gap and need to support entrepreneurs and artisans providing affordable rental units in urban areas. This has increasingly been referred to as the sm…

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Episode 20 - The Palestine Blindspot in Political Science with Dr Dana El Kurd & Dr Diana Greenwald 34:54

2+ y ago34:54

34:54

In this episode, we speak with Dana and Diana about the recent special issue in MELG focusing on recentering society in the study of Palestinian politics. We discuss what the post-Oslo period looks like, how resistance is changing, and where research on Palestine could develop. You can check out the special issue we are discussing on the Brill webs…

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TTPod 3.3: "Wake Up, This is Joburg" - in discussion with authors, Tanya Zack and Mark Lewis 47:57

2+ y ago47:57

47:57

I've always enjoyed conversations with guests and colleagues when they've published books and material that build the understanding of our cities in an accessible and visual way. This year, I was excited to learn of the collaboration between Tanya Zack and Mark Lewis. Tanya and I have known each other for many years from my extended working period …

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TTPod 3.2: Title Matters - The Conundrum of Title Deed Administration with guest, Deon van Deventer 43:08

2+ y ago43:08

43:08

In previous Talking Transformation Podcast episodes, we have looked in-depth at housing issues and challenges in South Africa. We’ve also considered the issue of title deed administration, and how important addresses are to the sense of place and security of tenure for communities.In this episode we go deeper into the question of title deed adminis…

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TTPod 3.1: Rising Sun and Raising the Game - with Ashleigh Manyara, City of Cape Town 33:35

2+ y ago33:35

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We kick start 2023 and a third series of the TTPod revisiting the themes of partnerships and learning. We reflect on town planner, Ashleigh Manyara’s recent study tour and studies with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), based in the cities of Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan.Ashleigh is a Senior Professional Officer with the City of Cape…

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Episode 19 - Geographies of Protest in Jordan with Dr Jillian Schwedler 40:36

3y ago40:36

40:36

In this episode, Ezra speaks with Jillian Schwedler about her new book, "Protesting Jordan: Geographies of Power and Dissent". She discusses the relationship between space and protest – and the long history of protest in the Kingdom.By Middle East Law & Governance Podcast

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TTPod 2.11: "Smoke and Mirrors" - In pursuit of transformation within the property sector - a conversation with Nigel Adriaanse, CEO of EDPF 44:52

3y ago44:52

44:52

The TTPod has visited the issue of land - or rather access to land in South Africa - on several occasions. It’s well understood the one of apartheid’s primary weapons was the denial of access and ownership to property in urban centres around South Africa. For non-white groups. The inter-generational impact of that perverse legal arrangement compoun…

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TTPod 2.10: Partnerships and Practice Shaping Climate Adaptation and Fair Trade - with Ralf Mützel (Neumarkt Municipality, Germany) 39:30

3y ago39:30

39:30

For this latest episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast we’ve extended the scope of our most recent conversation with Drakenstein's Executive Director: Planning & Development, Jacqui Samson discussing the collaboration the Drakenstein municipality has with Neumarkt in Germany and the themes and projects that underpin that partnership. We lear…

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TTPod 2.9: "Executive Orders": In Conversation with Jacqui Samson ED Planning and Development: Drakenstein Municipality 43:25

3y ago43:25

43:25

This 75th published episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast explores a theme I am wanting to emphasise and develop in coming episodes: the importance of “leadership with integrity” as a foundation for South Africa’s transformation journey. In this episode we look at one of the young leaders in a position of executive authority within a rapidl…

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TTPod 2.8: Desire Line on the Horizon - In Conversation with Nicolaas Louw 37:03

3y ago37:03

37:03

I visited Ireland for the first time, earlier this month of July 2022. The countryside was as beautiful as I’d imagined and the cities, towns and hamlets full of history and aesthetic beauty. It really is a magical isle with a rich and troubled history, warm people and the home of U2 – rich talent and treasures abound!The visit provided a chance to…

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Episode 18 - Covid-19 and Tunisian Exceptionalism with Dr Meriem Guetat & Dr Meriem Agrebi 37:29

3y ago37:29

37:29

In this episode, Meriem Guetat and Meriem Agrebi discuss governance in Tunisia amidst Covid-19, highlighting what the situation tells us about the narrative of Tunisia’s democratic exceptionalism following the 2011 revolution. The podcast revolves around the recent article that they co-wrote as part of part of MELG’s recent special issue on governa…

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TTPod 2.7: "After the Flood" - Community Responses to the KZN 2022 Floods with Ranyaka's Andile Wafa and Guy Campbell 31:57

3y ago31:57

31:57

In this episode of the Talking Transformation Podcast, we revisit the South African Province of KwaZulu-Natal and consider relief efforts in support of the severe flooding and landslides that took place there in April of 2022. The flooding led to more than 400 deaths and thousands more people went missing. More than 4,000 houses are estimated to ha…

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TTPod 2.6: "On the Receiving End" - South Africans Supporting the Ukraine Refugee and Relief Efforts in Europe - with Diane Arvanitakis and Jan de Bruin 52:11

3y ago52:11

52:11

In today’s TTPod episode we look across continents and the Ukrainian conflict. The episode tries to consider the challenges and support being rendered via the reflection of two South Africans currently based in Europe. In the last months, the world’s media has focused in on the Ukraine and the untold suffering endured by the communities and cities …

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TTPod 2.5: Partnerships & Transitions in Pursuit of Community Transformation - with Ranyaka NPO's William Bila and Johan Olivier 46:35

3y ago46:35

46:35

In this TTPod episode we look at a community building initiative that has grown from humble beginnings and now reaches and engages with communities in over 20 towns across the country. The Ranyaka Community Transformation Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) has grown partnerships with communities and corporate South Africa to champion a transformation me…

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TTPod 2.4: "Free-wheeling" – Reshaping places and equity through our streets and spaces: A Conversation with Open Streets MD: Kirsten Wilkins 40:32

3+ y ago40:32

40:32

I’ve been wanting to speak with Open Streets (https://openstreets.org.za/) even prior to this podcast launching in mid-2019. Most listening to this podcast would have some idea of the Open Streets initiative but let me not assume that IS the case: Open Streets is a citizen-driven collective, working towards improving the equitable design and use of…

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TTPod 2.3 Changing the narrative – Storytelling and graphic novels conveying the history and future of communities and cities 49:29

3+ y ago49:29

49:29

This podcast episode is markedly different from the more routine Talking Transformation “script” and speaks to two graphic illustrators, Nathan Trantraal and Julia Louise Pereira from South Africa and Canada respectively. Both have used their talent to tell stories about factors that have shaped or are currently shaping or cities and communities. I…

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TTPod 2.2 - "It’s all Academic": Reflections on City Transformation and Knowledge Exchange in 2022 with Dr S. Verdis & Dr P. Rode 41:15

3+ y ago41:15

41:15

If you’ve listened to the first couple of productions in Series 2 you’ll know this period of 2022 has been very much a period of personal transformation for me. Just over a month prior to leaving the public service I concluded studies with the London School of Economics in February. I had chosen the Executive Masters In Cities (https://www.lse.ac.u…

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TTPod Bulletin - UKESA & TTPod Partnership - Urban Knowledge Exchange South Africa - with Dr Mark Napier 22:16

3+ y ago22:16

22:16

Dr Mark Napier is currently Principal Researcher with CSIR and project lead for the design and management of the “Urban Knowledge Exchange Southern Africa” - an online knowledge-sharing platform https://www.ukesa.info/. Mark has a strong background in land and housing issues and prior to joining the CSIR, was director of the Urban Land Markets (ULM…

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TTPod 2.1 Contemporary Urbanism – Relevance, Opportunities, Challenges - Guests: Jodi Allemeier & Roland Postma 55:49

3+ y ago55:49

55:49

Joining the TTPod for this first episode of Series 2 are two leading young urbanists who are shaping the way many of us think and respond to the built environment.Jodi Allemeier is no stranger to the podcast and operates as an independent professional and thought leader in the country. Her UrbanJodi blog remains a must follow for those who enjoy co…

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Revisiting Series 1 and Looking Ahead to ”New Beginnings” 36:08

3+ y ago36:08

36:08

TTPod Series 2: Bulletin #1 Revisiting Series 1 and Looking Ahead to ”New Beginnings”With: Catherine Stone and Pete AhmadIn this introductory bulletin to Series 2 of the TTPod, Cathy Stone assists podcast founder Pete Ahmad reflect on the:• genesis of the podcast;• value of partnerships and community;• reasons behind the ‘break in transmission’ and…