In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with activist, developer, and President of the Daniels Corporation Mitchell Cohen, as he details his work in the redevelopment of the critically underserved and disadvantaged Toronto community of Regent Park. Mitchell shares his experiences working in community development in Montreal, and how that eventually led him to spearhead the $1.5 billion revitalization project. Through an emphasis on affordability, community preservation, and resilience, his work in Regent Park has transformed the neighborhood from one of neglect and inattention to a thriving and inclusive community with deep connections to history and place for those who live there, fulfilling a 75 year vision for the community. Join us for a conversation on how affordability and preservation can be prioritized while growing our communities for the future of urban growth.

You can find Mitchell’s book Rhythms of Change - Reflections on the Regent Park Revitalization at all major retailers.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a Dr. Kathleen Wolf, researcher and social scientist specializing in the intersection of nature and human health and wellbeing. Dr. Wolf focused her research on the human dimensions of urban forestry and urban green space, in particular studying nearby nature experiences and human health response. She has numerous publications to her name, aimed at building better knowledge of the social and psychological benefits that city trees and nearby nature provide, and sharing that across non-traditional audiences, including business, public health, medicine, and urban planning. Today, although semi-retired she continues to be active in research and science outreach, looking at ways in which the human experience is enhanced through the natural systems around us. Join us for a conversation on how human health responds to the natural world, and the ways in which we can incorporate those impacts into our design process.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a luminary of sustainable built environment systems, Gail Vittori. Gail is the Co-Director of the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, and has lead the way in the field of sustainable health care and resilient building. Through her career she has led innovative resilience strategies and explored ways to enhance the built environment for this and future generations, such as the proposal of a conceptual framework for what became the City of Austin's Green Building Program, widely considered the first green building program in the world. She is also the co-author of Sustainable Healthcare Architecture, a seminal work on the design and operations of sustainable healthcare facilities which promote healing and wellbeing through their design and interface with natural systems. Join us for a conversation on the power of the natural world, and the important ability it has to enhance our wellbeing.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with green roof pioneer Tom Liptan, one of the key figures in launching the green roof market in North America, to discuss the growths and changes in the green roof industry and where it could go from here. Tom’s journey with green roofs began out of his own interest, building a green roof by himself on his garage, and over time grew to influence his work with the city of Portland and his thinking about urban ecosystems and climate resilience. He has been a key figure in the growth and development of the green roof industry and the thinking around North American stormwater management through green infrastructure. Join us for a conversation on the early days of North American green roofs, climate resilience, and reflections on an illustrious career in green infrastructure.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with climate science pioneer Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig to discuss the impacts and opportunities of climate change on our urban environments and how we can create more resilient communities. Dr. Rosenzweig’s work has been at the forefront of climate science and resilience planning for decades leading large-scale interdisciplinary research studies on the impacts of climate change in both rural and urban settings. Her research has shaped how we understand the close relationship between food and climate change, most notably predicting the impacts of the interaction between climate and food systems. Join us for a conversation on climate, progress, and how one of our premier climate researchers maintains her positivity for the future.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with professor, researcher, and advocate Dr. Sabine O’Hara to discuss urban agriculture, food justice, and the fostering of a better relationship with the products that sustain us. Dr. O’Hara’s work has focused on enhancing food equity, promoting health and wellbeing through sustainable food systems, and enhancing urban sustainability with the ability to sustain itself. She has consistently focused on the enhancement of local communities through a diverse array of sustainable food programming and access. Join us for a conversation on food, agriculture, and community resilience with the power of green infrastructure.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with microbiologist and Columbia University Professor Emeritus Dr. Dickson Despommier to discuss his pioneering work and thought leadership on vertical farming. Beginning as a thought experiment for his students in 1999, Dr. Despommier quickly recognized the impact that vertical farming could have in revolutionizing our food systems and mitigating climate change. Since then he has been a tireless advocate for this sustainable food practice, and has helped throw the doors open on the viability of vertical farms. Join us for a conversation on food, sustainability, and how a microbiologist came to re-envision the future of agriculture and the power of the built environment to do so.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with architect and visionary Ken Yeang to discuss the the practice of ecological design and how it can and must be used to enhance global resilience and combat climate change. Ken has been a pioneer of ecological design and hyper-green architectural design practice, believing in the imperative to design with nature from the ground up. Join us for a conversation on the power of natural systems, the growth of ecological design, and hear about many of the stunning and verdant projects Ken has had a hand in over the course of his illustrious career.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with designer and consultant Bill Browning to discuss the science and practice of biophilic design and how it can influence and affect our interaction with the world around us. Human beings have a strong affinity for the natural world, which green infrastructure and nature based design practices can be a powerful and cost effective mechanism to enhance our constructed spaces and quality of life. Join us for a conversation on the powerful impacts natural systems can have on our brain chemistry and psychology and the implications that has for how we consider and design our spaces.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with educator and researcher Dr. Olyssa Starry Ph.D. to discuss the part water plays in urban ecology and the physical chemistry of plants and how this can affect the achievement of sustainability goals. Water is crucial to living systems like green roofs and other forms of green infrastructure, and managing how much and when can have a number of implications on what benefits are enjoyed. Join us for a conversation on the science of water and plants and how we can establish hearty and thriving urban ecosystems through systems integration.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with artist, designer, and thought leader Herbert Dreiseitl to discuss the critical role of water in natural ecosystems, and what lessons can be learned and applied to our urban environments. To cope with climate change, cities need to better use their natural infrastructure assets to manage and treat water before it becomes a problem to the community. Join us for a conversation on resilient, regenerative design, and how best cities can incorporate water into planning to ensure that it is protected and viewed as a resource rather than an obstacle.

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with Assistant Professor Scott Macivor of the University of Toronto to discuss the critical role of insects in the natural world, how climate change affects insect communities and populations, and the ways in which green roofs and green infrastructure can support and enhance those communities in our urban environments. Join us for a conversation on biodiversity and its role in our society, how insects support and influence the natural environment, and how we can develop comprehensive ecosystems.

This episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with noted ecologist Dusty Gedge, president of the European Federation of Green Roof and Wall Associations, to discuss fostering biodiversity through urban naturalization, developments in bio-solar technologies, and his background as a lifelong birder. Join us for a conversation on his life as a passionate bird watcher, his career advocating for biodiverse green infrastructure, and the imperative of addressing the climate crisis for future generations.

This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Nicole Austin, Black Student Engagement Coordinator, and Arlene Throness, Urban Farm Manager, to discuss their work with the urban rooftop farms at Toronto Metropolitan University. Their efforts through the two rooftop farms strive to support the health and well-being of the community and surrounding ecosystem by using practices that are ecologically, socially and financially just. Join us for a conversation on food security, equity, and resilience in the heart of the city of Toronto with these two leaders.

This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Dr. Mike Dixon, PhD to discuss his futuristic work in developing a biological life support system based on plants for the International Space program through the Space and Advanced Life Support Agriculture (SALSA) program at the University of Guelph. Join us for a conversation on his vision for the future of sustainability, long term interstellar habitation, and opportunities for his work to improve the lives of people on Earth.

This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by green roof luminary Ed Snodgrass to discuss his pioneering work in sustainable farming practices, his leadership in the green roof industry, and his contributions to our understanding of native planting practices. Over his years of work in farming, green roof plants, and sustainable development he has educated, led, and committed himself to learning about how to help improve the planet through plants and living systems.

Food security is one of the most pressing issues our communities face. Accessing fresh, healthy, affordable food can be a challenge for many families and food miles can be a tremendous contributor to net emissions. This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Ben Flanner to discuss the business of urban agriculture, how the Brooklyn Grange weathered the pandemic, and how a rooftop urban food revolution can help improve our communities and the people who live there.

Water is one of the most important resources to human life, and it is one of the biggest challenges for modern communities to manage, often times representing the physical manifestation of climate change. This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Howard Neukrug to discuss the management of water in the city of Philadelphia, how it can be addressed through green infrastructure, and how to ensure it remains sustainable into the future.

Rooftop agrivoltaics, the integration of photovoltaics and rooftop agriculture, can increase resilience in urban food systems, expand renewable energy production, and decrease water consumption. This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Dr. Jennifer Bousselot to explore the burgeoning field of rooftop agrivoltaics to enhance food security, improve clean energy pathways, and explore sustainability integrations.

2022 has seen unprecedented heat waves across the globe, threatening infrastructure systems, sparking continent-wide wildfires, and disrupting food systems with thousands dying due to heat-related causes. This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Dr. Brad Bass to explore one of the most direct manifestations of climate change, the urban heat island - what it is, how it works, and what can be done about it.