Cityscape Global Podcast

Stefano Boeri, Renowned Urban Planner and Architect of Bosco Verticale, joins host Pip Tomson on the Cityscape Global Podcast to explore how green architecture can become more accessible. From prefabrication to new approaches to construction, Stefano shares how projects like the social housing Vertical Forest in Eindhoven are taking green architecture beyond the premium market.

A perfect master plan can still fail. Anouk Kuitenbrouwer, Partner at KCAP, joins host Olivia Kinghorst on the Cityscape Global Podcast to explore what really makes a project work beyond the plans on paper. From walkability to the spaces between buildings, the real test is whether the people living there feel at home.

Construction productivity has remained stagnant for decades — so what will it actually take to change how we build?   Mauricio Weiss, Founding Partner of Zacua Ventures, joins host Pip Tomson to explore what's holding construction productivity back and where technology could make the difference.

Your digital world has a physical address.   Why is an industry built on secrecy finally opening its doors? From the infrastructure quietly powering every digital moment to the public understanding it has never quite earned, we dive into the buildings behind every scroll.   Venessa Moffat, Managing Director of The Data Centre Alliance (DCA), joins host Pip Tomson to take us inside the world of data centres and why an industry that stayed behind closed doors for decades is opening up.

The world's first Chief Citiverse Officer says banning AI won't prepare cities for the future.   Roland van der Heijden joins the Cityscape Global Podcast with host Olivia Kinghorst to break down the growing resistance to technology and why integration, not opposition, is the path forward.   His vision for Rotterdam in 10 years? Physical, digital and social life working together to create richer urban experiences.

"King's Cross is a successful, inclusive and joyous part of London." — Leo Shapland   What does it take to turn 67 acres of post-industrial land into one of the world's most admired destinations?   In this episode, Leo Shapland, CEO of The King's Cross Group, joins host Pip Tomson to unpack the thinking behind one of the world's most studied regeneration stories. He shares how patient capital, public-private partnership, and deep community engagement helped King's Cross become home to Google, Nike, Sony and Meta, alongside affordable housing and 26 acres of open space.

"Hotels are not just a place to sleep anymore. They're part of the community, part of the city."   What role should hospitality play in the cities of tomorrow?   Dimitris Manikis, President of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts EMEA, explains why hospitality should be considered part of a city's social infrastructure, and why broadening access to travel will be essential as Saudi Arabia continues to grow its tourism sector.

"We're giving people back their time, our most precious asset."   What does it take to cut a commute from two and a half hours down to just 24 minutes?   Mauricio Rodas, Former Mayor of Quito, Ecuador, highlights Ecuador's first metro line as an example of what can be achieved when infrastructure and vision are aligned across a city.

"The most carbon-friendly building is the one that's already built."   Not a new one. Not necessarily a greener one. The one that's already standing.   Dr. Alison Gilliland, Former Lord Mayor of Dublin and a driving force behind the Vacant to Vibrant Building Alliance, explores how bringing existing buildings back into use could help address housing shortages while supporting more sustainable cities. From Dublin's vacant upper floors to Bologna's approach to urban regeneration, this episode examines how to unlock the potential of the buildings we already have.

"They demolish their heritage at pace and they regret it at leisure."   That's the warning at the heart of this episode of the Cityscape Global Podcast, where Lord Ed Vaizey, Former UK Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, makes the case for why technology alone will never be enough to build a great city. From London's 32 fragmented boroughs to the rise and fall of AI start-ups, Lord Vaizey explores why public bodies move more slowly than business, why you can never put new technology "back in the box", and the one AI risk that genuinely worries him.   He also makes a compelling case for culture as essential urban infrastructure, not a luxury added as an afterthought, pointing to hospitals, restaurants, and heritage districts as proof. Plus, the real story behind King's Cross, Battersea Power Station, and Canary Wharf, and why politicians changing roles is one of the biggest threats to long-term urban vision.

What does it take to transform a city’s downtown into a globally fluent hub for capital, skills, and long-term competitiveness?   Michael B. Hancock, Former Mayor of Denver, reflects on the decisions that shaped its trajectory during a pivotal period. Confronted with a $100 million budget gap and the challenges of economic recovery, he championed a vision that strengthened its appeal to investors, businesses, and talent.   In this conversation, Michael explores the leadership choices, infrastructure investments, and long-term thinking that helped drive growth. He also shares insights into how cities can restore confidence, build on their distinctive strengths, and balance immediate demands with a future-focused agenda.

The biggest comeback of all is not in sport, not in business, and not in politics.   According to Ludo Campbell-Reid, Former Executive GM of the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, it is the comeback of cities.   Ludo, who led the largest infrastructure project in Victoria, Australia, unpacks what urban transformation actually requires, from diagnosing the root causes of city failure to why cities with world class plans still struggle to deliver, and the role of mega events as accelerators of change.

What does it take to run a metro system that never sleeps?   Silvia Roldán, Former CEO of Metro de Madrid and Former Deputy Minister for Digitalisation of the Community of Madrid, joins the Cityscape Global Podcast to share what urban mobility really looks like from the inside.   From leading through a global pandemic and a historic snowstorm to managing the daily pressure of moving millions, this is a conversation about what it really takes to keep a city moving.

What does it really take to turn a mid-sized city into a global benchmark for livability, sustainability, and growth? In this episode of the Cityscape Global Podcast, Olivia Kinghorst, Former CNN Anchor and Former Senior Editor at Forbes, sits down with Ricardo Rio, Former Mayor of Braga and recipient of the World Mayor for Sustainability Award 2022, to explore how a city of 200,000 people became one of Europe's most compelling urban success stories. From kickstarting economic transformation during a national financial crisis to building a governance model that engaged every layer of society, Ricardo Rio shares the decisions, strategies and principles that drove Braga forward across his 12 years of leadership.

Building the future, powered by people and AI. In this episode, Julia Arlt, Global PropTech Expert & Former Head of Digital Real Estate at PwC Global, shares her perspective on how AI is transforming industries not by replacing people, but by empowering them to focus on what truly matters: human connection and innovation. Hear from Julia and other global visionary leaders at Cityscape Global! 🗓️ 17–20 November 2025

Featuring Surella Segu, Chief Heat Officer of Mexico. From the rising challenge of urban heat to the future of climate-resilient city design, discover how cities can adapt, protect communities, and build environments that sustain life in a warming world. 🗓️ 17–20 November 2025 📍 Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center, Saudi Arabia

How do you think Saudi Arabia is rewriting the rules of sport? From launching the first female sports channel to guaranteeing equal pay for women’s tournaments, the Kingdom is showing that sport can drive transformation far beyond the field. Join H.E. Dr. Margarete Schramböck, Former Austrian Minister of Economy & Digital Affairs and Aramco Digital Advisor, as she explores how Saudi’s young, passionate generation – with an average age of just 26 – is turning sport into a cat...

Award-winning architect Yves Rathle unveils the Stadium of the Future on the Cityscape Global Podcast. Meet Yves Rathle and other global visionary leaders – at Cityscape Global! Register now: https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/0r8b88jetse22?utm_source=speaker&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=aec25sau-aa-speaker-yves-rathle&utm_content=podcast 🗓️ 17–20 November 2025 📍 Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center, Saudi Arabia&nbs...

Featuring Gordon Adams, Former Head of Planning at Battersea Power Station Development Company. From the history of Battersea to the future of urban planning, discover how large-scale developments are shaping the way we live, work, and connect. 🗓️ 17–20 November 2025 📍 Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Center, Saudi Arabia Hear from Gordon and other global visionary leaders – at Cityscape Global! Register now: https://register.visitcloud.com/survey/0r8b8...