Urban Exchange: Cities on the Frontlines

urbanexchange
Urban Exchange: Cities on the Frontlines

Urban Exchange: Cities on the Frontlines is the podcast series from SmartCitiesWorld and the Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities), delivering frank and open conversations between international city leaders and industry practitioners that share ideas to solve urban challenges. With the world’s cities under pressure to deliver a sustainable future for more than half of the global population – a figure that is consistently trending upwards – the Urban Exchange provides a platform for the people driving urban innovation and change to share their ideas and insights with those that need them most. As cities seek a future that is environmentally, economically, and socially resilient and sustainable, each episode of the podcast plays host to an in-depth conversation between a city leader and a smart city specialist to uncover the initiatives that cities are working on to deliver on these goals. Co-hosted by R-Cities’ Executive Director, Lauren Sorkin, and SmartCitiesWorld’s Advisory Board Chair, Paul Wilson, the Urban Exchange is a much-needed forum for city practitioners faced with urgent targets and objectives across a gamut of urban issues.

  1. SEP 27

    Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 23 - Identifying urban solutions at the intersection of climate, health, and equity

    This episode of the Urban Exchange podcast focuses on identifying urban solutions at the intersection of climate, health, and equity. Resilient Cities Network's Lauren Sorkin hosts, joined by Patricia Himschoot and Catalina Thela from the Buenos Aires City Government, and Jeannette Ickovics from Yale University to discuss the key findings from the Urban Pulse report. The guests emphasise the need for better early warning systems, health surveillance capabilities, and multi-sector collaboration to address challenges related to extreme heat, flooding, air pollution and the related health threats. The conversation turns to the specific impacts of climate change in Buenos Aires. Catalina describes the extreme weather conditions the city experiences, highlighting the need for proactive measures, and Patricia outlines the city's efforts to engage vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and residents of low-income neighbourhoods, through public awareness campaigns and preparedness programmes. Together, our guests delve into the solutions being implemented in Buenos Aires, including greening initiatives and health-related interventions. Here, we explore the importance of cross-city collaboration, and how cities like Buenos Aires are learning from the experiences of others, such as Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City. Finally, we dedicate time to the need for increased investment in capacity development and cross-city knowledge sharing. Here, Jeannette focuses in on the need to prioritise funding at the intersection of climate, health, and equity in order to tackle them holistically and find co-benefits across systems. Find out more about Urban Pulse here.

    42 min
  2. AUG 8

    Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 22 - Digital solutions shaping the urban landscape

    This episode of the Urban Exchange podcast explores the role of digital financial innovation in building urban resilience, featuring experts Daniel Sullivan, Director of Resilience for the City of Cape Town, and Tanya Filer, Founder and CEO of StateUp. Together, we look at the findings of StateUp's latest research, conducted in partnership with the Resilient Cities Network, on the transformative power of public financial technologies in building urban resilience. Tanya highlights some of the common challenges such as fiscal constraints, climate change, and social inequalities, and looks into the importance of digital and emerging technologies in urban resilience. Daniel shares his and Cape Town's experience in deploying digital initiatives to advance urban resilience, including the use of digital financial technologies to build resilience outcomes. He discusses the city's parallel journeys in developing a digital strategy and a resilience program, focusing on using data insights and technology to inform city responses and support vulnerable communities. The conversation then delves into the challenges of bridging the gap between digital and resilience teams within city governments to maximise the impact of digital transitions. Tanya and Daniel highlight the cultural barriers and the need for a cohesive strategy that combines digital insights and policy implementation. The episode also explores the potential for cities to use digital technologies to address specific resilience goals, such as using spend data to better plan and prepare for food and water shortages. Listen in to uncover insights into the role of digital financial innovation in building urban resilience, emphasising the importance of collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and leveraging partnerships within the city ecosystem. For more information on the work between Resilient Cities Network, StateUp and Visa, click here.

    31 min
  3. MAY 17

    Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 20 - Tackling plastic waste in our water

    This episode of the Urban Exchange podcast explores solutions to the global challenge of plastic pollution, with a focus on cities' role in addressing this issue. R-Cities' Lauren Sorkin is joined by Dr. Parama Roy of Okapi Research and Advisory in Chennai, and Taylor Maddalene of the University of Georgia, to discuss the scope of plastic waste problems worldwide and their impacts on urban areas. Taking Chennai as a case study, our expert guests outline the city's rapid growth and relationship with its extensive network of waterways, which have become threatened by waste dumping. There's discussion of the Urban Ocean programme's holistic, science-based approach to tackling plastic waste in cities like Chennai, including conducting assessments to understand waste systems and identify improvements. Dr Roy explains how pilot projects in Chennai aim to encourage source segregation and composting through community outreach and innovative infrastructure. Conversation also turns to the challenges around enforcement of existing policies, emphasising why cities should tailor sustainable solutions to local contexts while combining grassroots initiatives with national policies. In this episode, listeners learn about practical strategies for monitoring plastic pollution and driving change at multiple scales. Listen now for the latest actionable advice for city professionals invested in solving the global plastic crisis through collaborative, long-term solutions.

    38 min
  4. MAR 27

    Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 19 - The intersection between risk, resilience and insurance

    This episode of the Urban Exchange Podcast explores how risk, resilience and insurance measures come together to support the future of cities. The episode delves into innovative partnerships to strengthen climate resilience in Miami Dade County, with Galen Treuer from Miami Dade explaining how rising insurance costs due to hurricanes and flooding have impacted many residents. Through the Resilient 305 initiative, Miami Dade is collaborating with Miami and Miami Beach to better manage regional climate risks. Peter Adams from insurance firm Howden also joins the conversation to discuss how the Global Risk and Resilience Fellowship (GRRF) aims to bridge the gap between cities and insurers facing climate change. Discover how Miami Dade has worked with vulnerable communities to design parametric policies providing quick flood payouts, and why these policies target timing gaps where smaller flood events disproportionately impact low-income households without support networks. Both Treuer and Adams emphasise the value of sharing local data with insurers. Treuer explains how canal water levels impact flooding in specific neighbourhoods, while Adams demonstrates how collaboration in Miami Dade creates a "safe space" for insurers to innovate based on new discoveries. Finally, you can find out how multidisciplinary partnerships between climate, finance, engineering and other teams can boost resilience in cities, with inclusive collaboration across disciplines necessary to comprehensively address climate change through a variety of policy, engineering and insurance solutions.

    39 min
  5. FEB 21

    Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 18 - Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, City of Bangkok - Holistic disaster resilience

    Bangkok, a city of rapid growth, faces the challenges of a complex urban landscape. In this episode, we delve into Bangkok's resilience journey with Dr. Tavida Kamolvej, Deputy Governor in Bangkok, and a specialist in disaster resilience. Join Lauren Sorkin, executive director of the Resilient Cities Network, in conversation with the Deputy Governor, as they discuss: The city's biggest resilience challenges and how the current leadership is approaching disaster risk reduction through the Making Cities Resilient 2030 initiative The crucial role of SMEs in Bangkok's economy and their unique vulnerability to shocks and stresses, discussing specific programmes and partnerships, including with the Resilient Cities Network, that are empowering these vital businesses Collaboration as key to success. Dr. Kamolvej explains her approach to working with diverse groups, including local communities, and the inspiring "micro capillaries" approach championed by Governor Chadchart. This episode is packed with insights and practical examples, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in urban resilience, community engagement, and the future of Bangkok. Listen in to discover: Dr. Kamolvej's vision for Bangkok's resilience and the highlights of her tenure The biggest challenges Bangkok faces and how they are being addressed Innovative programmes supporting small and medium-sized enterprises The importance of community engagement and the "micro capillaries" approach Key takeaways and lessons learned for building resilient cities.

    41 min
  6. JAN 24

    Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 17 - Digitalising government disbursements to enhance urban resilience

    The latest episode of the Urban Exchange delve into the transformative impact of technology on government disbursements to enhance urban resilience. Joining host Paul Wilson are Agustin Botteron, author of a new Visa report on government disbursements and former Chief Resilience Officer of Santa Fe, and Robert L. Matthews, Director of the Washington D.C. Child and Family Services Agency. Agustin shares insights from his experience as a city practitioner, emphasising the critical role of local government support programmes in addressing urban challenges, and the barriers such as capacity and funding. The conversation then shifts to the Visa report, exploring how cities worldwide are managing digital disbursements to enhance urban resilience. Agustin underscores the multifaceted nature of the process, encompassing finding potential beneficiaries, screening, and the actual payment. Director Matthews provides valuable insights into the Washington DC Child and Family Services Agency's shift from a paper-driven system to a digital platform during the COVID-19 pandemic. He focuses on the need for a rapid transition at that time and how it enabled more efficient support for families in need. As the conversation unfolds, the guests highlight the increasing relevance of digital disbursements in responding to extreme weather events and conflicts. They discuss the role of organisations like Visa and the Resilient Cities Network in fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and infrastructure development. The Grandparent Caregivers Program in Washington, DC, serves as a case study, demonstrating the positive impact of financial subsidies and digital support on families caring for children. We wrap up by discussing the need for collaboration and trust among various stakeholders, including technology providers, payment platforms, government officials, and NGOs. The acceleration of digital transformation, prompted by the challenges of the pandemic, requires proactive measures to build resilient infrastructures and partnerships for future crises.

    31 min
  7. 12/18/2023

    Urban Exchange Podcast Episode 16 – Genesis Gavino, City of Dallas

    Mike Lake, CEO of Leading Cities and a member of the Smart Cities World Advisory Board, hosts a special episode recorded live from the 2023 Smart City Expo in Barcelona, where he is joined by Genesis Gavino, Chief of Staff Resilience Officer for the City of Dalla. Genesis provides a behind-the-scenes look at her role as Chief of Staff, detailing the essential elements that the role encompasses that don't necessarily fit elsewhere but are crucial for city operations. We hear how she manages diverse portfolios, overseeing strategic initiatives like the Resilient Dallas strategy, as well as smart city projects. Key to Dallas' digital resilience work is digital equity, with Genesis shedding light on the city's efforts to bridge the digital divide. She shares experiences from the field, discussing digital literacy programmes and the importance of community engagement in shaping policies. This conversation also takes a turn toward cybersecurity, touching on the ransomware attack on Dallas earlier in 2023, where Genesis emphasises the city's commitment to proactive measures, including the development of secure apps for residents. As the episode unfolds, we delve into the broader challenges faced by cities and the need for holistic, multifunctional solutions. Genesis stresses the importance of understanding each city's unique context and challenges, urging technology providers to align their solutions with the specific needs of the communities they serve. The episode concludes with a reflection on the continuous nature of urban challenges and the vital role of collaboration, innovation, and adaptability in building resilient cities. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation at the intersection of technology, governance, and community empowerment in this episode of "Cities on the Frontline."   About the speakers Genesis Gavino, Chief of Staff and Resilience Officer, City of Dallas Genesis currently serves as the Deputy Resilience Officer where she works closely with the executive team across the organisation to implement the Resilient Dallas Strategy. She is also the Chief of Staff to the City Manager where she manages the Council Agenda Office, Local Government Management Fellows Program, departmental budgets and works with the executive team to advance the City’s strategic priorities. Genesis has served as lead in the organisation’s interdepartmental and collaborative projects, most recently the implementation of the Council Agenda Preparation System through Granicus – Legistar, and the development and implementation of a pilot program to activate City Hall Plaza. Mike Lake, President and CEO, Leading Cities As President and CEO, Michael develops and establishes relationships with municipal governments, businesses and universities internationally, creating a global network of partner cities dedicated to implementing Smart City solutions that improve the quality of life in cities. Leading Cities builds bridges between academia and action, between business and government, and between urban problems and solutions.Among its signature programs are AcceliCITY- among the largest, most prestigious smart and resilient city solutions focused competitions- and AcceliGOV—a competition of cities vying for globally sourced, expert-vetted, pre-paid pilot projects.

    32 min

About

Urban Exchange: Cities on the Frontlines is the podcast series from SmartCitiesWorld and the Resilient Cities Network (R-Cities), delivering frank and open conversations between international city leaders and industry practitioners that share ideas to solve urban challenges. With the world’s cities under pressure to deliver a sustainable future for more than half of the global population – a figure that is consistently trending upwards – the Urban Exchange provides a platform for the people driving urban innovation and change to share their ideas and insights with those that need them most. As cities seek a future that is environmentally, economically, and socially resilient and sustainable, each episode of the podcast plays host to an in-depth conversation between a city leader and a smart city specialist to uncover the initiatives that cities are working on to deliver on these goals. Co-hosted by R-Cities’ Executive Director, Lauren Sorkin, and SmartCitiesWorld’s Advisory Board Chair, Paul Wilson, the Urban Exchange is a much-needed forum for city practitioners faced with urgent targets and objectives across a gamut of urban issues.

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