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The Urban Phoenix Podcast

The Urban Phoenix Podcast

By The Urban Phoenix Podcast

Conversations around our urban environments and a better tomorrow for our cities
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Urbanists Are Translators

The Urban Phoenix PodcastApr 30, 2020

00:00
17:18
Two Things We Can Learn From 2020

Two Things We Can Learn From 2020

2020 was a devastating year for our cities. That doesn’t mean we can’t learn from the experience
Feb 07, 202114:45
Street Closures Are Suddenly The Rage

Street Closures Are Suddenly The Rage

Covid-19 has thrust our nation into a paralyzing reality... but the re-dedication of car space to people might be just the thing out cities need
Jul 24, 202006:47
Bike Infrastructure Sends A Message

Bike Infrastructure Sends A Message

Even if it’s seldom used, bike infrastructure sends a clear message to everyone that two-wheeled transportation is welcome
Jun 02, 202006:30
The Quietly Splintered World Of Cycling

The Quietly Splintered World Of Cycling

For the most part, cyclists want the same thing... safer streets, better infrastructure, more advocacy. But within bike culture is a vast array of different reasons for riding on two wheels. The infighting between these groups is crippling the effort to improve cycling for everyone
Jun 01, 202010:03
For E-Scooters, Ownership Will Mean Legitimacy

For E-Scooters, Ownership Will Mean Legitimacy

The shared model has brought the E-Scooter into the light. Now it’s time to legitimize them with ownership
May 10, 202016:31
Driving Is A Privilege, Not A Right

Driving Is A Privilege, Not A Right

Americans have become blind to the privilege of driving, so much so that driving is almost seen as an American right.
May 07, 202009:09
Isn’t This What We’ve Wanted?

Isn’t This What We’ve Wanted?

At some point... and maybe quite often... we have wished for a simpler time. We have wished for fewer distractions or more time with our families, or the ability to work from home. Now that many of us have these things, how much of this time will we take with us going forward!
May 05, 202007:37
A Small Biz Pivots To Help In This Difficult Time: An Interview With Teagan White, from JN White

A Small Biz Pivots To Help In This Difficult Time: An Interview With Teagan White, from JN White

A company that makes membrane switches, graphic overlays, and custom labels in Perry, New York is now making over 100,000 face shields per day to help front line workers combat Covid-19. Customer Service Manager Teagan White talks about the mission of JN White to help protect us in this time!
May 02, 202018:49
Urbanists Are Translators

Urbanists Are Translators

People are inherently drawn to attractive urban environments. It’s our job as urbanists to inform them WHY these places make them feel good
Apr 30, 202017:18
Will The Threat Of Vandalism Hinder Urban Automation?

Will The Threat Of Vandalism Hinder Urban Automation?

We are at the point where the ability to automate anything from park maintenance to public transit is a reality. But will the lack of an authority figure welcome vandalism and illegal activity?
Apr 23, 202009:35
The Reduction In Pollution As A Result Of The Coronavirus

The Reduction In Pollution As A Result Of The Coronavirus

If there is a positive result of shutting down our economies, it’s the short term environmental relief our planet is experiencing
Apr 23, 202014:08
Remote Work Will Change Urban Design

Remote Work Will Change Urban Design

Even after the Coronavirus pandemic is mitigated, remote work will continue to rise. Cities should be thinking about what that means now, rather than later.
Apr 19, 202011:18
I’ve Gained 6 Pounds Not Biking To Work

I’ve Gained 6 Pounds Not Biking To Work

I had lost 17 pounds, until the Coronavirus caused me to work from home. Now that I’m not biking to work every day, I’ve quickly gained 6 pounds back.
Apr 16, 202013:06
Now More Than Ever, Billionaires Need To Be Leaders

Now More Than Ever, Billionaires Need To Be Leaders

In 2018, the country’s richest man donated 0.1% of his net worth. Now more than ever, we need our economic leaders to do just that... lead.
Apr 14, 202017:57
The Interstate Highway System Changed Everything

The Interstate Highway System Changed Everything

Yes, the Interstate Highway System destroyed regional transit, but it also spelled the end of local transit too... and our cities would never be the same
Apr 12, 202015:34
Rochester Lost Bike Share... For Now.

Rochester Lost Bike Share... For Now.

Zagster/Pace has pulled out of Rochester. Another company will take its place in the future. The important thing to remember is this is not our fault.
Apr 11, 202017:51
A Car-Light America Is Here

A Car-Light America Is Here

With far less traffic on the roads during this time of social distancing, now is our time to truly see what it’s like to live walk and bike along a busy road and feel comfortable
Apr 10, 202009:29
Why Don’t We Have Balconies?

Why Don’t We Have Balconies?

We’ve seen the videos of entire communities singing from balconies in Spain and Italy while in quarantine. Why don’t we see this in US cities?
Apr 10, 202009:47
An Interview With Rochester’s Maria Furgiuele

An Interview With Rochester’s Maria Furgiuele

Maria is the Executive Director of the Community Design Center of Rochester. We talk about quality urban design, public space, transit, balconies, and the future for our cities in the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic
Apr 02, 202023:35
The Fate Of Public Transit In A Time Of Social Distance

The Fate Of Public Transit In A Time Of Social Distance

Public transit is taking it at the shins during this time of social distancing. And understandably so. How will these uncertain times change public transit forever?
Apr 01, 202021:05
What Will Our Cities Look Like?

What Will Our Cities Look Like?

Just weeks ago, our cities were trending back to walkable places with restaurants, bars and shops. Will that vision ever be a reality again?
Mar 30, 202015:12
An Interview With Utica’s Stephen Keblish

An Interview With Utica’s Stephen Keblish

Stephen and I talk about Utica, Urbanism, small city life, the importance of livability and Stephen’s service in the National Guard... and more!
Mar 28, 202031:10
The Best Last Mile Has Been Here All Along

The Best Last Mile Has Been Here All Along

I’m 39 years old. This year, I taught myself how to skateboard. While learning requires an incredible amount of patience, I can now say that this is the best last mile transportation option ever created.
Mar 28, 202012:37
An Interview With “Crafty” Mask Maker Rachel Walsh

An Interview With “Crafty” Mask Maker Rachel Walsh

Rochester’s Rachel Walsh is deeply rooted in the arts, crafting, music, theater and general creativity. Today, she’s using her talents to make masks in an effort to mitigate these difficult times.
Mar 26, 202019:55
An Interview with Sandusky Ohio Assistant City Planner, Tom Horsman

An Interview with Sandusky Ohio Assistant City Planner, Tom Horsman

Tom talks about his journey to an Urbanist life in the small city of Sandusky
Mar 25, 202024:37
An Interview With Rochester’s Jeremy Cooney

An Interview With Rochester’s Jeremy Cooney

Jeremy Cooney was born in an Indian orphanage, and raised by a single mother in the City of Rochester. Today, he is a lawyer and the Democratic and Working Families Party candidate for the NYS Senate, District 56
Mar 22, 202033:16
A Hopeful Outcome From The Coronavirus

A Hopeful Outcome From The Coronavirus

Our lives are about to change dramatically. My hope is that it’s only temporary. Here’s another hope that I have...
Mar 13, 202010:48
Narcissism And The Four Way Stop: A Lesson For Our Cities

Narcissism And The Four Way Stop: A Lesson For Our Cities

A study shows us that the more expensive/newer the car, the more the driver is likely to drive through the intersection out of turn. It’s a metaphor for wealth in our cities today
Mar 11, 202004:56
Car Crashes, Coronavirus & Public Health Priorities

Car Crashes, Coronavirus & Public Health Priorities

The Coronavirus is a serious health epidemic, and it’s one we are taking very seriously as a society. But other solvable public health issues that kill tens of thousands of Americans go unaddressed
Mar 11, 202017:11
The Seldom Appreciated Benefits Of Walking

The Seldom Appreciated Benefits Of Walking

Rarely to we realize the health benefits of walking. The obesity epidemic in our country is, in part, due to the fact that our communities are rarely built for walking. Dense urban areas are the exception
Mar 10, 202007:00
Pedestrian Malls In Midsized Cities? Not So Fast...

Pedestrian Malls In Midsized Cities? Not So Fast...

Pedestrian malls sound awesome and they are, but historically they have not always performed well in the USA. Here are some thoughts on how to take a “middle ground” or incremental approach to this subject
Mar 08, 202015:20
Same City, Different Cultural Narratives

Same City, Different Cultural Narratives

A recent Grist.org article highlights how different cultural narratives of the same event in Detroit can have deeply “rooted” effects in how we see our cities today. You can find the article here buff.ly/2VJ7fRA
Mar 08, 202014:15
Micro Mobility & The Volatility Of Venture Capital

Micro Mobility & The Volatility Of Venture Capital

The popular electric skateboard company Boosted Boards abruptly went belly-up last week, raising fears that other similar companies may eventually follow suit. While venture capital companies have added flare to urban life, there are serious questions about the sustainability of this funding method
Mar 07, 202017:34
Micro Mobility And A Short Trip To Buffalo

Micro Mobility And A Short Trip To Buffalo

I spend 4 hours in Buffalo a few weeks ago... with nothing other than a skateboard.
Mar 07, 202014:11
How Our Cities Became Corporations l

How Our Cities Became Corporations l

Government policy and suburban subsidies ruined our cities’ financial status... their only recourse was to function like corporations.
Feb 21, 202018:11
Overestimating The Economic Impact Of Sports Teams

Overestimating The Economic Impact Of Sports Teams

We love our local teams... but in most cases, we highly inflate the economic impact they have on local economies
Feb 12, 202013:59
Preservationism Versus New Urbanism

Preservationism Versus New Urbanism

While it’s important to preserve the history of our landmarks and districts, we cannot preserve every building and every neighborhood. Doing so leads to higher living costs and exclusivity
Feb 10, 202014:11
Fastest and Most Exclusive: An American Transportation Problem

Fastest and Most Exclusive: An American Transportation Problem

Our country has been built around the car and the airplane, that fastest and most exclusive forms of mobility
Feb 08, 202015:24
Utica: More Parking Won’t Improve Your Community

Utica: More Parking Won’t Improve Your Community

A recent opinion piece by the Utica Observer Dispatch calls for more parking in order to create a more accessible downtown. But great cities aren’t suburbs, and thus are not made better by more automobile access
Feb 06, 202013:00
Scary Spaces: The Places Where Walkers and Cyclists Feel Forgotten

Scary Spaces: The Places Where Walkers and Cyclists Feel Forgotten

Anyone who walks or bikes for transportation knows the feeling of anxiety when approaching those spaces that are designed for cars
Feb 02, 202013:43
Welcoming Outside Investment

Welcoming Outside Investment

There’s a lot of money coming out of New York City. Our Upstate cities have the potential to tap into this tremendous exodus of wealth
Jan 31, 202015:41
The Importance Of Promoting Chaos in Urban “Order”

The Importance Of Promoting Chaos in Urban “Order”

Order sounds good in our cities, until we realize that order usually means stratification and strict prioritization that favors one population over another
Jan 30, 202017:21
Bike Commuting, Group Rides & Legitimacy

Bike Commuting, Group Rides & Legitimacy

I love group rides, recreational cyclists and any reason people get on two wheels. But building true legitimacy and infrastructure means talking about bike commuting first and foremost
Jan 18, 202013:40
Breweries: The Sure-Thing Activator

Breweries: The Sure-Thing Activator

Few things activate desolate urban landscapes like breweries. We need to start appreciating just how important they’ve been with regard to change in our cities
Jan 18, 202012:04
If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home By Now: A Book Review, An Urbanist’s Rebuttal

If You Lived Here, You’d Be Home By Now: A Book Review, An Urbanist’s Rebuttal

Recently I read a nice book titled “If Your Were Here You’d Be Home By Now” by Christopher Ingraham. While I enjoyed the read, there are some interesting things the author misses with regard to the breadth of urbanism and the conversations surrounding the urban/rural construct
Jan 15, 202024:18
Interview with Utica Superfan Ken Smith

Interview with Utica Superfan Ken Smith

Sometimes I interview urbanists. Sometimes I interview business owners. This interview? This is about a man who truly loves his city, and does everything he can to help others realize that love too.
Jan 14, 202011:25
A Man Tried To Hit Me With His Car

A Man Tried To Hit Me With His Car

Last week while biking with my coworker to work, a man tried to intimidate and drive into us with his car, completely unprovoked
Jan 04, 202011:51
Do Urbanist Publications Really Speak To Midsized Cities?

Do Urbanist Publications Really Speak To Midsized Cities?

CityLab and Streetsblog are amazing online publications that address Urbanist issues... but do they really address the issues of small-to-midsized metros?
Dec 31, 201920:13
When Did Cycling Become a Liberal Thing?

When Did Cycling Become a Liberal Thing?

Bikes have been associated with a liberal construct, when in fact they personify some of the most basic Republican ideals...
Dec 23, 201912:06
Fairport NY: Blending Suburban Feel With A Micro-Urban Twist

Fairport NY: Blending Suburban Feel With A Micro-Urban Twist

Fairport, New York is a small suburb of Rochester, my home city. There, a mix of suburban life and an amazingly walkable downtown has created a beautiful blend of small town with a hint of urbanity
Dec 21, 201916:02