Better Cities By Design

Episode 27: Reimagining cities for children – Bratislava shows us how

In this episode, we head to Bratislava, Slovakia, to explore how a city can be reimagined through the eyes of its youngest residents. As cities worldwide grapple with safety, inclusivity, and accessibility, Bratislava is setting an inspiring example by prioritizing child-friendly urban design. Host Davion Ford speaks with Simon Battisti, Creative Director at the Start with Children Summit, to uncover how child-focused planning can transform urban spaces into healthier, safer, and more inviting environments for everyone. From school streets that protect children from traffic to innovative approaches in public engagement, Bratislava is paving the way for cities to rethink their priorities. Tune in to learn how the Slovak capital is not only creating opportunities for play and independence but also inspiring cities worldwide to embrace urban design that fosters well-being for all generations.

Episode 26: Transforming Cottbus – a city where heritage meets innovation

Cottbus, Germany, is a city with a rich coal-mining history now poised to become a leader in sustainable mobility. In this episode, we explore how Deutsche Bahn, German’s national train operator, is driving this transformation with the construction of its largest and most advanced ICE-4 maintenance depot. Join host Davion Ford as he speaks with Marc Hermann from Deutsche Bahn, who is the Management Representative of the New Cottus Plant Project. Marc talks about how this innovative project is creating job opportunities, revitalizing a region in transition, and reducing train maintenance times by 50%. This facility symbolizes a shift toward sustainable transportation and economic regeneration in the Lausitz region. Listen now to discover how Cottbus is embracing its future role in Germany’s transition to green mobility.

Episode 25: Yarmouth Yards – revitalizing St. Thomas for a sustainable future

What does it take to reenergize a city’s legacy and prepare it for a greener, more sustainable future? In this episode, we visit St. Thomas, Ontario, a Canadian city that’s turning its transportation heritage into a launch pad for innovation. At the heart of this transformation is Yarmouth Yards, a 1,500-acre industrial park anchored by PowerCo’s electric vehicle battery gigafactory. Join the Mayor of St. Thomas, Joe Preston, Arcadis Canada’s Country Director, Scott Arbuckle, and our special correspondent Grayden Laing as they discuss the vision, collaboration, and bold steps driving this transformational project—from economic growth and sustainable infrastructure to brownfield redevelopment.

Episode 24: Redefining urban sustainability at Berlin's EUREF Campus

In this special episode, we take you to Berlin, the vibrant capital of Germany, to explore the groundbreaking EUREF Campus—a living laboratory for sustainable urban development. From its historic Gasometer to its cutting-edge energy systems, the EUREF Campus is an important example of how cities can innovate for a greener, smarter future. Join our special correspondent Serafin Dinges as he goes behind the scenes at this unique hub for urban innovation. You will also hear from Karin Teichmann, spokesperson of the board of EUREF AG, and Birgit Detig from Arcadis, as they share how this remarkable project has achieved CO₂ neutrality since 2014, decades ahead of national targets, and why it's inspiring sustainable projects worldwide. Tune in for an immersive journey to one of Berlin’s most forward-thinking urban initiatives.

Episode 23: Hydrogen's role in sustainable urban transformation

In this episode of Better Cities by Design, host Davion Ford is joined by a panel of experts to explore the transformative potential of hydrogen technology in creating sustainable cities. Artiom Loginov from Cummins Inc., Brett Ryan from Hydrogen UK, and Paul Aspinall from Arcadis discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating hydrogen into urban infrastructure. They delve into hydrogen's critical role in achieving net-zero emissions, the importance of public-private collaboration, and the need for safety measures. The conversation also highlights the scalability of hydrogen, strategies for its widespread adoption, and the vision of a future where hydrogen is seamlessly integrated into urban energy systems. Tune in to discover how hydrogen could power a greener, more sustainable future for cities around the world.