City People - The People that Build Cities

James Mant
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🎙️ City People with James Mant 🌆 Join James Mant, urban planning expert, for insightful yet light-hearted chats with the people shaping our cities. Discover the personal stories and passions behind the professionals, with humor and warmth. Get a fresh perspective on urban development from those who build our world. 🌟🚀 Supported by our friends at CoFutures and Sentier Consulting Australia

Episodes

  1. 09/17/2025

    Brian Risby - Coins in jam jars to statewide reform

    Brian Risby’s career spans states, sectors, and even continents. From shaping policy in Tasmania to learning from Europe's most progressive planning systems, his insights are rich, practical, and timely.From being paid with coins in jam jars, to leading planning in Tasmania! We discuss: 🎙️ How Brian started out being paid by coins in jam jars 🎙️ Working with an Amish community 🎙️ How 13 people totally transformed the planning system in Tasmania 🎙️ The importance of certainty 🎙️ Grey areas in government......and much more. Liz Mackevicius is proud to sponsor this conversation - not just because Brian’s story is compelling, but because it speaks to something deeper many of us feel: The desire to lead meaningful change without losing ourselves in the noise. That’s exactly what Liz supports - a coaching and community space for people in planning, policy, and the built environment who want to lead with more clarity, courage, and purpose. Liz shares practical, thought-provoking tools in my newsletter to help you do just that—because real momentum isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters. 🎧 While you’re listening to Brian’s episode, subscribe to the newsletter here: https://lizmack.com.au/newsletter-subscribe/

    1h 9m

  2. 06/20/2025

    🎙️Dr Jane Homewood - Astronauts and Architects

    This conversation with Dr Jane Homewood went to places I didn’t expect, from astronauts visiting her childhood home, to being taught by communists, and starting her career in architecture before finding a deep passion for planning and place. Jane shared insights from a remarkable career so far, from working on iconic projects like Darling Harbour, to shaping policies at the City of Melbourne, and then influencing planning across Victoria in a senior State Government executive role. We explored how universities once directly informed council policy, the value of great design, and why collaboration is at the heart of a civil society. It’s a thoughtful, honest and inspiring episode. #urbanplanning #placemaking #design #leadership #planning #architecture #citybuilding #podcast #publicservice Supported by CoFutures ⁠CoFutures | Transforming Urban Planning⁠ and Liz Mack - Insta: @lizmack.com.au ⁠Executive Coaching, Training & Facilitating - Liz Mackevicius⁠ Produced by Soren Risby

    1h 7m

  3. 04/19/2025

    🎙️Samantha Choudhury - from Chicago Aldermen to being an elected official

    🏛️Elected as an independent councilor at the City of Stonnington in Melbourne in 2024, Samantha is also the powerhouse behind Gertrude Street Studios. 🏛 In this wide-ranging and captivating conversation, I sit down with Sam to explore a life shaped by cities, culture, and unexpected career turns. We delve into her formative years in inner Melbourne, the vibrant neighbourhood life of Chicago, and what it was like working alongside Aldermen in one of America’s most political cities. Sam shares stories of raising twins in the US, the DIY spirit that defines American communities, and how a chance encounter with Julia Gillard sparked a bold pivot into public office—culminating in her election as a local councillor. From street-level activism to international experience, this episode is a celebration of community, place, and the power of saying yes to unexpected paths. 🌏✨ ✨ This episode is supported by Liz from Sentier, a coach and former planner who helps people like Sam - planners, consultants, and city-shapers - shift from reactivity into Purposeful Momentum. If you’re working in the built environment and want to lead with more clarity and less chaos, you’ll want to keep an eye on what Liz is launching soon. 📬 Sign up to be the first to hear about it: ⁠www.sentier.com.au/newsletter⁠ Thank you also for the support from our friends at @CoFutures Produced by Soren Risby

    1h 5m

  4. 02/25/2025

    🔊 Pat Fensham: 30+ Years of Urban Planning, Housing, & Policy Reform

    🎙️In this episode of City People: The People That Build Cities, we sit down with Pat Fensham, urban policy expert and President of the Victorian Division of the Planning Institute of Australia. With over 30 years of experience, Pat shares insights on housing, infrastructure, metropolitan planning, and the future of our cities. We discuss planning’s role in politics, economic shifts, inequality, and the need for a stronger metropolitan planning authority. Don't miss this deep dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping our urban future! 🏙️

    1h 2m

  5. 10/28/2024

    YIMBY Melbourne - Jonathon O'Brien - A Bigger Better Melbourne

    🎙️✨ In this episode, we journey from Brisbane's art scene to the heart of Melbourne’s housing challenges, unraveling why it's so hard to secure a home in the city. We dive into the origins of the #YIMBY movement, empowering voices that promote #HousingAbundance in the often NIMBY-dominated landscape. Tackling everything from #Design, #Setbacks and #FutureHomes to the latest on #StampDuty, #LandTax, #Rates, and #Engagement. Plus, we break down Victoria’s recent #HousingStatement, offering insights into what it could mean for the future of housing in the state. Don’t miss this wide-ranging discussion! 🌆💼🏠

    1h 1m

  6. 09/03/2024

    Jill Garner AM: From Award-Winning Architect to Unexpected Misunderstandings and Career Tips!

    🎙️✨ Meet Jill Garner AM: Australia's pioneering (and first female) State Government Architect! Get the inside story on Girl Guiding, her quirky indoor plant obsession, and a mysterious incident involving mistaken identities. 🕵️‍♀️ Dive into her career wisdom, epic projects, and the discussion on the Future Homes initiative. Don't miss this insightful conversation! 🚀🏛️ #Architecture #CareerAdvice #FutureHomes

    1h 6m

  7. 08/03/2024

    Tim O'Loan - from chemistry to serving drinks with Lord Rogers

    In this episode we hear from Tim O'Loan (aka 'Emma'....find out why in the podcast), a leading city planner based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Tim talks about going to school in England, his early brush with military service, coming back to Australia and why he go into town planning amongst other things.

    56 min
  • 7 Episodes

About

🎙️ City People with James Mant 🌆 Join James Mant, urban planning expert, for insightful yet light-hearted chats with the people shaping our cities. Discover the personal stories and passions behind the professionals, with humor and warmth. Get a fresh perspective on urban development from those who build our world. 🌟🚀 Supported by our friends at CoFutures and Sentier Consulting Australia

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