Urbanism Vancouver

Helen Lui & Aaron Johnson

Urbanism Vancouver explores the built environment of Vancouver, Canada - how we got to where we are, and what our history tells us about how we look forward to the future. We share insights not only from industry experts, but also from passionate advocates, and residents like you. With each episode, we'll look at different components that shape our urban experience in Vancouver, and we'll discuss how we can make cities more vibrant, affordable, and liveable places. With our shared experiences, industry insight and knowledge, perhaps you’ll learn and even be inspired to be more involved in impacting positive change in your community, even if you don’t call Vancouver “home.” Helen Lui is a seasoned housing and development professional with a fervour for abundant, and affordable housing. With over a decade in both non-market and market developments, her passion lies in sculpting cities that are equitable, sustainable, and livable. She ardently champions civic reforms, targeting exclusionary policies to pave the way for inclusive, equitable urban development. This podcast series is an independently funded project by both The Host, Helen Lui and Producer, Aaron Johnson. We acknowledge that this podcast is recorded and produced on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples, including the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and recognize the enduring connection they have to this land. We strive to have our conversations contribute towards reconciliation and work towards sustainability and equity for all the custodians of the lands.

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Top 10 Urbanism Vancouver Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Urbanism Vancouver episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Urbanism Vancouver for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Urbanism Vancouver episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Structural Supports

Urbanism Vancouver

11/13/23 • 30 min

Host Helen Lui continues the conversation with Denis Agar, they unpack the dynamic relationship between housing and public transportation. They delve into the critical role of urban density in shaping transit service needs and discuss the intricate political maneuvers influencing rail network expansions. The conversation also highlights the influential power of grassroots movements in propelling improvements to transit systems.

Links mentioned in the episode:
“Where should new homes go? A map of renter density.” (https://denisagar.com/?p=9)
“Travel and the Built Environmental - Synthesis” by Reid Ewing and Robert Cervero

Show Credits:
Host: Helen Lui
Producer: Aaron Johnson
Cover Art By: the Sneaky Artist (https://sneakyart.substack.com/)
Covert Art Titles: Spencer
Website: UrbanismVancouver.com

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

Ground Work

Urbanism Vancouver

10/23/23 • 25 min

In this episode of Urbanism Vancouver, Helen Lui and Aaron Johnson discuss their motivations for starting the podcast, and their backgrounds in urbanism and broadcasting. They explain their goal of providing accessible information about housing and development and shedding light on the complexities of the process. They hope to inspire curiosity and action from their listeners and encourage them to get involved in shaping our built environment.

They also address the misconception about the role of the federal government in addressing the housing crisis, emphasizing that local municipalities have the power to shape neighbourhoods through land use and design regulations. They highlight the lack of awareness about local elected officials and the decision-making processes in cities.

Later in the episode, Helen is joined by Michelle Scarr who shares her experience with public engagement in housing discourse. Michelle explains her motivations for getting involved in local government and her frustrations with the public hearing process, particularly the dominance of a vocal minority and the lack of representation for those who would benefit from new housing.

The conversation then focuses on the need for increased engagement in local politics and the impact of municipal decisions on individuals' lives. Michelle emphasizes the importance of being aware of the issues and having a say in municipal affairs, including voting and getting involved with local parties and volunteering.

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

Storytelling to Inspire Engagement in Urban Planning (with Uytae Lee)

Urbanism Vancouver

06/17/24 • 48 min

Uytae Lee from the YouTube channel About Here, joins Helen Lui to chat about storytelling in urban planning, emphasizing the need for effective communication strategies to drive public engagement. They also advocate for diverse voices in advocating for inclusive urban environments.

About Here: https://www.youtube.com/@AboutHere

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

The Future of Urban Planning

Urbanism Vancouver

06/10/24 • 46 min

Helen Lui interviews Fern Hahn, a transit advocate and urban planning student, who shares experiences that shaped their perspective on public transit. Fern discusses advocating for better transit and their interest in transit network design.

Next, Helen speaks with Matthew and Emma from UBC CAPACity, focusing on engaging university students in urban planning discussions. They discuss the club's events, ranging from urban studies info nights to town hall debates with city council candidates. Matthew and Emma emphasize the importance of involving youth in urban planning decisions and fostering inclusivity across different faculties.

References:
Fern K Hahn: https://fernkhahn.com/
UBC CAPACity: https://amscampusbase.ubc.ca/capacity/home/

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

Designing for Happiness (with Houssam Elokda)

Urbanism Vancouver

06/03/24 • 47 min

The conversation continues with Houssam Elokda from Happy Cities, as Helen Lui explores the impact of the built environment on communities, emphasizing the importance of creating livable and sustainable cities. They discuss the subjective nature of happiness and well-being in urban settings, also highlighting the significance of social connections, community, and meaningful interactions in fostering happiness.

References:
Hey Neighbour Collective Happy Homes project: https://www.heyneighbourcollective.ca/resources/

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

Does Density Impact Happiness? (with Houssam Elokda)

Urbanism Vancouver

05/27/24 • 35 min

Density is a hotly debated topic in urban centres. Is it good? Is it bad? Does it make us more isolated, more lonely, or can it improve our happiness?

Helen Lui speaks with Houssam Elokda, from Happy Cities. Their research explores the connection between urban design and happiness, striving to enhance the quality of life in cities through sustainable long-term happiness. By prioritizing people's experiences and emotions, they aim to implement urban interventions that are not only impactful but also tailored to the unique needs and values of each community.

Houssam delves into the significance of studying the relationship between happiness and urban design to determine the crucial elements for thriving in urban environments. An insightful study discussed in the podcast reveals that density does not necessarily correlate with lower happiness or well-being once income is taken into account. The conversation sheds light on how different housing forms like apartments or single-family homes have no significant impact on well-being when income is factored in.

References:

The World Happiness Report: https://worldhappiness.report/about/
Lu’ma housing - Heatherlands project: https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/courier-archive/news/temporary-modular-housing-approved-for-heather-lands-site-3082546#google_vignette
VGH + Happy Cities study: My Wellbeing, My Community: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/65c7e5d8ed8ae44c1709ae60/t/65f9ba97331b333639689619/1710865062869/My-home-my-neighbourhood-wellbeing-study-111723.pdf
5 D’s of walkability: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359066510_Rethinking_walkability_and_developing_a_conceptual_definition_of_active_living_environments_to_guide_research_and_practice

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

From Neighbours to Community

Urbanism Vancouver

05/20/24 • 45 min

Helen Lui speaks with Mark Boardman and Alyssa Sacal from Minivillage, a Vancouver-based company fostering social connections within neighbourhoods. Mark discusses transforming neighbours into friends, while Alyssa emphasizes combating loneliness. The conversation explores authentic community bonds, the impact of physical environments on social connections, and practical tips for fostering relationships. Mark and Alyssa advocate for intentional community-building efforts and envision a future with healthier, happier, and more interconnected communities.

References:

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

Designing Public Spaces

Urbanism Vancouver

05/13/24 • 48 min

Helen Lui is joined by architects Amit Price Patel and Jill Robertson from DIALOG, to discuss the design of great public spaces. They share insights on the political power of design, the intersection of science and art in shaping communities, and the significance of community engagement in creating inclusive spaces. The conversation emphasizes inclusivity, considering diverse perspectives, and the importance of moving at the speed of trust when engaging with communities. Amit and Jill highlight the impact of inclusive design on community well-being, stressing the role of public spaces in fostering connections and shared experiences.

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

The Evolution of Third Spaces (with the Sneaky Artist)

Urbanism Vancouver

05/06/24 • 54 min

Helen Lui is joined by Urban Sketch Artist Nishant Jain, also known as "the Sneaky Artist" to discuss the concept of 'Third Spaces'—the places between home and work where social bonds are forged and community enriched. We explore how these spaces, from parks to cafes, are not just physical locations but also platforms for cultural expression and social interaction. We also discuss the transformation of third spaces and their role in shaping modern urban life.

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

How Do We Improve Public Transportation? (with RMTransit)

Urbanism Vancouver

04/29/24 • 44 min

Reece Martin from the YouTube channel RMTransit joins Helen Lui to discuss the evolving landscape of urban mobility and public transit. Explore the cutting-edge developments and innovative solutions that are shaping the future of our cities. Reece, who grew up in the Lower Mainland, and now a resident of Toronto, shares his expert insights on the challenges urban planners face and the potential transformative impacts of new technologies on public transportation systems.

RM Transit: https://www.youtube.com/@RMTransit
Movement: https://transitmovement.ca/

If you want to support the podcast, you can "Buy Us A Coffee"
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/urbanismvancouver

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FAQ

How many episodes does Urbanism Vancouver have?

Urbanism Vancouver currently has 19 episodes available.

What topics does Urbanism Vancouver cover?

The podcast is about Places & Travel, Society & Culture, Urbanism, Affordable Housing, Civic Engagement, Documentary and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Urbanism Vancouver?

The episode title 'Storytelling to Inspire Engagement in Urban Planning (with Uytae Lee)' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Urbanism Vancouver?

The average episode length on Urbanism Vancouver is 38 minutes.

How often are episodes of Urbanism Vancouver released?

Episodes of Urbanism Vancouver are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Urbanism Vancouver?

The first episode of Urbanism Vancouver was released on Oct 15, 2023.

Show more FAQ

Urbanism Vancouver

Helen Lui & Aaron Johnson

Top 10 Urbanism Vancouver Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Urbanism Vancouver have?

What topics does Urbanism Vancouver cover?

What is the most popular episode on Urbanism Vancouver?

What is the average episode length on Urbanism Vancouver?

How often are episodes of Urbanism Vancouver released?

When was the first episode of Urbanism Vancouver?

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