my Richmond Hill

Saeed & Kiana

This podcast explores the city of Richmond Hill, Ontario through the lens of “Strong Towns” principles, focusing on how urban design and development decisions shape everyday life. It examines how neighborhoods can evolve into more walkable, connected, and financially resilient places, rather than relying on car-dependent sprawl and costly infrastructure expansion. Inspired by the ideas of Strong Towns, each episode looks at practical ways Richmond Hill can grow in a more sustainable and human-centered direction. Topics include strengthening local businesses, improving public spaces, encouraging mixed-use neighborhoods, and fostering community interaction. The podcast ultimately invites listeners to rethink what makes a “successful” city and how small, incremental changes can lead to stronger, more livable communities over time.

Episodes

  1. Apr 20

    The Social Cost of Housing & Car Dependency in Richmond Hill

    In this episode, we look at how our current housing patterns and heavy car dependency have shaped everyday life—and not always in good ways. We explore the social side effects that often get overlooked, especially how the design of our neighborhoods affects connection and community.We talk about what this means for children, who have fewer independent spaces to play and move around safely. We look at teens, who often depend on rides for even simple social activities, making it harder to build independence and friendships. And we discuss adults, many of whom feel increasing isolation despite living in dense suburban areas, where daily life happens behind car doors and garage doors instead of in shared public spaces.This episode asks a simple but important question: if the way we build our cities shapes how we live, what kind of social life are we creating—and what are we losing along the way?

    36 min

  2. Mar 30

    Is Richmond Hill’s municipal budget in good shape?

    In this episode, we take a closer look at the municipal finances of Richmond Hill, Ontario. We break down where the city gets its money, how it spends it, and why local budgets matter for everyday life.We also explore common challenges cities face—like rising infrastructure costs, long-term debt, and the pressure to keep taxes low while still maintaining services. Using simple examples, we look at whether the current financial model is sustainable and what it means for the future of the city.This episode helps listeners understand how local financial decisions shape everything from roads and parks to housing and community services, and why municipal finance is really about the kind of city we want to live in.

    41 min

  3. Mar 16

    Why Housing in Richmond Hill is out of each?

    In this first episode, we talk about housing and why it feels so out of reach for so many people. We break down what’s going wrong in today’s housing system, why prices have become so unaffordable, and the main reasons this problem has built up over time. From zoning rules and city planning decisions to how we’ve been building neighborhoods, we explore the factors that shaped the current situation and what they mean for people trying to live in places like Richmond Hill.

    37 min

  4. Mar 3

    Why Richmond Hill needs this Persian podcast?

    In this episode, Saeed and Kiana talk about why they started this podcast. They also explain what they’ll cover in future episodes—things like housing, safe streets, and property taxes—and who it’s for, mainly Persian speakers living in Richmond Hill.

    24 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

This podcast explores the city of Richmond Hill, Ontario through the lens of “Strong Towns” principles, focusing on how urban design and development decisions shape everyday life. It examines how neighborhoods can evolve into more walkable, connected, and financially resilient places, rather than relying on car-dependent sprawl and costly infrastructure expansion. Inspired by the ideas of Strong Towns, each episode looks at practical ways Richmond Hill can grow in a more sustainable and human-centered direction. Topics include strengthening local businesses, improving public spaces, encouraging mixed-use neighborhoods, and fostering community interaction. The podcast ultimately invites listeners to rethink what makes a “successful” city and how small, incremental changes can lead to stronger, more livable communities over time.

Information

  • Creator
    Saeed & Kiana
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Saeed Vahid, Strong Richmond Hill
  • Show Website
    my Richmond Hill