In this engaging second installment with Nadina Galle, on Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca delves into the fascinating world of urban nature and environmental technology with Nadina, an ecological engineer and National Geographic explorer, widely recognised for her contributions to BBC Earth and National Geographic, and most recently, for her acclaimed book The Nature of Our Cities. This episode uncovers powerful insights into reimagining our urban spaces to foster harmony between human development and the natural world.

Together, Jackie and Nadina explore the concept of balance, inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine’s five elements, and its applications to urban ecology. They discuss the critical role of trees in cities, diving into the revolutionary technology of tree inventories, LIDAR mapping, and how tools like Tree Tracker are shaping modern urban forestry.

“We have gone too far towards the asphalt, the concrete, the built environment and we’ve strayed too far away from the natural environment.” – Dr. Nadina Galle

From the groundbreaking “Room for the River” initiative in the Netherlands to the visionary water management efforts of Chicago’s green infrastructure projects, this episode brings a global perspective on sustainable urban solutions.

Nadina and Jackie also tackle critical climate challenges, including wildfire prevention and innovations like BurnBot and Watch Duty, alongside nature-inspired strategies to prevent urban flooding.

Main feature photo credit: Roger Cremers for National Geographic

In this thought-provoking episode of Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca sits down with the remarkable Dr. Nadina Galle, a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, technologist, and the author of the new book The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet. Dr. Galle brings her expertise to discuss the essential and evolving relationship between humanity, technology, and the environment.

“I argue that nature is the fifth pillar of health, alongside sleep, diet, exercise, and stress reduction.” – Dr. Nadina Galle

Jackie introduces the stormy setting of Spain, which perfectly segues into Dr. Galle’s groundbreaking work. Dr. Galle passionately shares her insights on the disconnect between people and nature in urban environments, describing how modern living has t...

“The goal has always been, how can we do this better? We live in Colorado with extreme weather, and the world was working off a European greenhouse model that didn’t fit our environment. So, we set out to design something different, something more efficient and resilient.” – Josh Holleb, Ceres

In this episode, Josh takes us on a journey through his experience in greenhouse design, sustainability, and his vision for a more efficient, sustainable world through innovative agriculture.

Ceres Kites Nest

Guest Introduction: Our guest, Josh Holleb, joins us all the way from Boulder, Colorado, where he’s up at what I fondly call “ridiculous o’clock” to be part of today’s discussion. Josh has a fascinating background, from working on organic farms to pioneering efficient greenhouse solutions.

His mission is clear: to design greenhouses that not only grow plants but also create a healthier future for us all. He’ll be sharing insights about his journey, the evolution of his company, and the pivotal role Ceres Greenhouse Solutio...

Angus shares his journey from the Scottish countryside to the bustling city of London, where he found his calling in bringing nature back into urban spaces. From his early days as an apprentice gardener to leading Scotscape’s mission of making cities greener and more sustainable, Angus discusses the challenges, innovations, and his passion for nature.

"70% of the population will be living in cities by 2050. If we don’t bring biodiversity into cities, they’ll be unhealthy places to live. We need to create cities that are more sustainable, healthier, and green."

Angus delves into Scotscape’s evolution, explaining how the company now specialises in installing urban greening systems, including their pioneering living walls and living pillars. He reflects on the importance of biodiversity, the future of cities, and how small innovations can create big impacts in urban environments.

Living Walls Carnaby Street, London

He also shares personal anecdotes about his love for the outdoors, his entrepreneurial journey, and his vision for a future where cities are covered in verdant greenery.

Key Takeaways:

• Angus Cunningham shares his personal and professional story, from his rural upbringing in Scotland to running a thriving urban greening business in London.
• An in-depth look at Scotscape’s innovative projects, including living walls and living pillars, designed to bring nature into the most unexpected urban environments.
• Angus’ insights into the importance of biodiversity, climate change, and how urban greening can play a critical role in creating healthier cities.
• His vision for the future: a world where cities are draped in greenery, with urban environments designed to nurture both people and nature.

Topics Discussed:

• The journey from Scotland to London: Angus’ love for nature and how it shaped his career.
• Scotscape’s 40-year journey and evolution into urban greening specialists.
• The importance of biodiversity and the role of plants in tackling climate change.
• Scotscape’s innovative living walls and living pillars, bringing greenery to the vertical spaces of cities.
• The challenges of running a business in the green industry and the importance of sustainability in

In this episode of Constructive Voices, Jackie De Burca sits down with Shashin Mishra, VP of EMEA at AI Dash, to dive into the world of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and how AI and satellite technology are reshaping sustainability efforts. From the challenges of biodiversity restoration to the role of the construction industry, Shashin shares insights on the cutting-edge tools helping developers and ecologists achieve long-term sustainability goals.

Discover how AI Dash’s innovative BNG AI tool is supporting the UK's push for biodiversity restoration by 2030, and how it can help developers, planners, and ecologists meet the new 10% net gain requirement. Whether you’re in construction or environmental planning, this episode will offer valuable takeaways on harnessing technology to address the pressing issue of biodiversity loss.

Tune in to learn how AI Dash is changing the game for nature preservation and climate action!

As an agency or an in-house marketer, you know that building authority, by creating content that stands out from the crowd is essential to attract links and the best brand image.

At Constructive Voices, we have been doing that since our birth in 2021. We have interviewed some amazing guests and continue to do so. We have a team with decades of media production, radio, and podcasting experience. This team is now at your disposal.

From as little as £150 per month based on an annual contract, we can produce short 5-8 minute* productions for your clients or your own brand. These may be podcast conversations about your latest blog news topics, case studies, interviews with team members, and so much more. Check out the Use Cases section below.

Or you can decide to go for the yearly package, which costs £1,650 (11 months cost), and plan content for different durations, such as 15 minutes each quarter.

Of course, these packages are designed to make this form of content more accessible. We can work with you on whatever brief you may have.

This example is:

Listen to how well it can work when a colleague does the interview. Phil Carpenter also lives and breathes Alice Technologies. So he was the perfect choice to talk to his CEO, René Morkos.

At the beginning of this snippet, you will hear some of the Constructive Voices team bantering about the subject matter.

The entire interview was around 20 minutes in duration. Spotlight sessions can be set up to be as short as 5 minutes or as long as you need.

The Women in Engineering podcast series by Constructive Voices celebrates the powerful contributions of women in a field traditionally dominated by men. Through this series, listeners are invited into candid conversations with trailblazing female engineers who share their stories, challenges, and achievements. From overcoming gender bias to leading innovative projects, each episode highlights the unique experiences and expertise these women bring to the world of engineering.

In addition to personal narratives, the series delves into broader industry topics, including the importance of diversity in engineering, mentorship, and fostering environments that encourage female participation in STEM fields. Each episode not only serves as an inspiration for aspiring engineers but also acts as a call to action for industries to embrace a more inclusive future.

By giving a platform to these voices, Constructive Voices aims to amplify the critical role women play in shaping the built environment. This series is not just for those in engineering but for anyone interested in learning how inclusivity can drive innovation and progress in one of the world’s most crucial industries.

Neal Maxwell, who has worked in the construction industry for more than 30 years, co-founded the non-profit organisation, Changing Streams, in 2018, after a life-changing trip to the Arctic.

Now in 2024, Neal Maxwell, and his team and partners, the University of Liverpool, are launching their new organisation, Changing Materials.

Tune into Neal now to hear all about Cbanging Materials - an exciting initiative that aims to promote sustainable materials while breaking down silos.

Changing Materials is a platform designed to aid architects, designers, and specifiers in transitioning towards sustainable construction by reducing the industry's reliance on plastic.

With a comprehensive database, it offers solutions like recycled plastic, low- or zero plastic content materials, and alternatives such as metal and timber.

Developed in partnership with the University of Liverpool, the platform promotes the use of eco-friendly materials while aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. It also provides a space for manufacturers to showcase their sustainable products.

Learn more at Changing Materials.