In Season 4 of the Most Podern Podcast, we focus on the urgent need for sustainable buildings amid growing housing and infrastructure demands and the need to upgrade existing structures. Our guests discuss how data and technology can improve building performance, as well as the challenges and opportunities of green building practices. We cover key themes such as the impact of inflation on sustainability costs, the importance of industry education, the potential for sustainability to become standard practice, global collaboration, and technology’s role in advancing sustainable practices. We hope you enjoy this season as much as we did.

Schedule:

9/2 - Grey Lee

9/9 - Daniel McDermott

9/16 - Jared Friedman

9/23 - Liz Hauver CPHC

9/30 - Caroline Sorge

Is the Olympics worth it? Alex is on the ground in Paris to find out. From the mind-boggling logistics to the uncertain impact on host cities, we dive deep into the world of the Summer Games. We dissect the spectacle, the spending, and the legacy of this global event. Are the Olympics a celebration of humanity or a colossal waste of resources?

Chapters

00:00 The Olympics: A Moment of Glory for Athletes

02:35 Managing the Impact: Infrastructure and ROI

06:15 Paris: An Established City for the Olympics

08:18 Temporary Structures and Post-Olympics Adaptability

14:00 The Economic and Cultural Significance of Luxury Brands in the Olympics

26:22 The Pattern of Bidding Low and Overspending in Olympic Host Cities

27:34 The Changing Landscape of Potential Host Cities

28:30 The Shift Towards Sustainability and Utilizing Existing Infrastructure

32:34 The Role of Politics and Corruption in the Olympics

38:23 The Cultural Significance of the Olympics

45:49 Potential Future Host Cities

Is it possible to balance economic growth with environmental protection? Can we learn from international examples like China's sponge city movement? Join us as we navigate the complexities of urban sustainability.

In this deep dive episode, we tackle the complex issue of urban sustainability. From New York City's aggressive emissions reduction goals to Boston's carrot-and-stick approach, we explore how different cities are legislating for a greener future. We delve into the challenges and opportunities of retrofitting existing buildings, the role of technology, and the impact of political climate on policy implementation. We also discuss the broader implications of climate change, including the potential for extreme weather events and the importance of resilience in urban planning.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Quote: Change is good. You go first.

02:16 Climate, Latitude, and Building Insulation

03:38 The Challenge of Changing Human Behavior

07:52 The Importance of Measurement and Legislation

10:28 Retrofitting Buildings and Capital Costs

21:03 Embodied and Operational Carbon

27:41 Creating Permeable Cities and Sponge City Movement

31:02 The Impact of Storms and Resilience

34:13 Sustainability and Attractiveness of Cities

42:59 The Potential of Density and Challenges of Coastal Cities