#9 Curiosity in city planning with Rico Quirindongo

In the latest episode of Curiosity at Work, host Dr. Julie Pham welcomes Rico Quirindongo, the Director of the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) for the City of Seattle. Together, they dive into how curiosity shapes the workplace and the dynamic role it plays in city planning. Rico shares insights into the structure of his office, which comprises 50 people, including planners and finance experts, working across divisions like equitable development and land-use policy. Their mission is to shape the future of Seattle in a way that balances sustainability, community needs, and growth.

 

Rico discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing curiosity with the pragmatism required in the political landscape. As a department heavily scrutinized by both local and international audiences, OPCD constantly navigates the tension between innovative problem-solving and meeting public expectations. He also touches on how the team works both remotely and in-person to foster collaboration, while keeping an eye on their goal of shaping Seattle into a livable, thriving city.

 

The episode highlights some of the critical projects undertaken by OPCD, such as working with different stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for transit hubs. Rico illustrates the complexity of these projects, where multiple stakeholders, timelines, and budgetary constraints must align. Despite the challenges, he emphasizes that curiosity remains a vital tool for navigating the intricacies of city development, even when political pressures demand concrete results.

 

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

• LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/
• Website:https://curiositybased.com/
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/juliephamphd/

Connect with Rico Quirindongo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricoquirindongo
• Website: https://www.seattle.gov/opcd
• Transforming communities through architecture | TEDxSeattle: https://youtu.be/OexH-soVbxw?si=xO5a7LBt1D824fU1