PlanningXChange

planning exchange podcast
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A podcast devoted to urban planning and the people who make it happen.

  1. 3d ago

    PlanningxChange 145: Robyn Annear on Cities, Memory and the Art of Noticing

    In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell speak with historian and writer Robyn Annear about cities, memory and the art of noticing. Robyn has written extensively about Melbourne, lost places, everyday life, archival fragments and the small details that open up larger stories. Her recent book Shutter City looks closely at early photographs of Melbourne, but the conversation ranges more widely across her work as a historian and writer. The discussion explores place-based history, the previous lives of cities and towns, and the question that sits behind much of Robyn’s work: what was here before? Robyn reflects on how photographs, newspapers, buildings, signs, shopfronts, street furniture and passing figures can reveal the ordinary rhythms of urban life, including work, trade, movement, amusement, language, humour and sociability. The episode also considers whether history has become a niche interest, how historical knowledge can help planners, architects and city managers resist generic “anywhere” urbanism, and how memory can survive even when buildings and places change. Robyn also discusses AI-generated versions of the past, the danger of confident but invented historical narratives, and why human curiosity and judgement remain central to historical understanding. In Podcast extra / culture corner, Robyn recommends the poetry of John Clare, Jess recommends Pete's children’s book 'Kaizo at Dog Beach' (soon to be released on Amazon), and Pete recommends the Korean drama Teach You a Lesson appearing on Netflix. Podcast released 29 July 2026.

    PlanningxChange 145: Robyn Annear on Cities, Memory and the Art of Noticing

  2. Jul 1

    PX144: Waste, Recovery and the City with Maree Marshall

    In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell speak with Maree Marshall from Urbis about waste, resource recovery and the city. Maree has worked in the waste and resource recovery sector for more than 25 years, advising councils, government agencies and designers on how waste systems operate in practice. The discussion begins with the ordinary household bin, but moves quickly into the larger planning and infrastructure questions behind waste collection, recycling and recovery. Topics include FOGO, glass recycling, container deposit schemes, textile waste, op shops, apartment buildings, transfer stations, repair spaces, tool libraries, landfill, waste-to-energy and the idea of local circular economy hubs. Marie explains why recycling is not the whole solution, and why better outcomes depend on reducing consumption, separating materials properly, designing buildings and precincts more intelligently, and making reuse and repair easier for communities. The conversation also considers how waste moves through cities, whether Australia relies too heavily on trucks, the role of technology and AI in sorting systems, and the importance of realistic policy that works for households, councils and the built environment. Podcast extra / culture corner includes home repairs, tuckpointing, the op shop challenge and Peter reading Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway. Episode released 1 July 2026.

  3. May 29

    PlanningxChange 143 : Place and Longevity - Blue Zones with Marcus Pearce

    Living Better for Longer: Blue Zones, Longevity and the Places We Create Guest: Marcus Pearce What do a small Greek island, a mountain village in Sardinia, and a Californian faith-based community have in common? They are among the world's famous Blue Zones - places where people routinely live into their nineties and hundreds, not because of miracle diets or expensive health interventions, but because of the way their communities are structured and how people live their everyday lives. In this episode, Peter Jewell and Jess Noonan speak with Marcus Pearce, longevity educator, host of the 100 Not Outpodcast, and founder of wellbeing experiences to Blue Zone communities. Marcus shares his personal journey from sports journalist to one of Australia's leading voices on healthy ageing and wellbeing. The conversation explores what planners, designers and policymakers can learn from places where longevity is not the exception but the norm. In this episode we discuss: * What Blue Zones are and how they were identified * The six recognised Blue Zones, including the recent addition of Singapore * Marcus's personal transformation from sports media to longevity advocacy * Why attitudes towards ageing can significantly influence lifespan * The role of social connection, purpose and community in healthy ageing * What makes places such as Ikaria (Greece) and Sardinia (Italy) unique * The importance of walkability and natural movement in daily life * Why loneliness may be one of the greatest public health challenges of our time * The relationship between urban design, wellbeing and longevity * How modern technology and changing work patterns may be weakening social connections * Lessons planners can draw from village-scale living and human-centred environments * Whether Blue Zone principles can be applied in contemporary cities Marcus also reflects on the concept of an "ageing mentor" - someone whose approach to life and ageing inspires us to think differently about our own future. Key Takeaway The most powerful lesson from the Blue Zones may be that healthy ageing is less about individual optimisation and more about creating places where connection, movement, purpose and belonging occur naturally. In other words, the environment often shapes healthier behaviours without people consciously trying to pursue them. Guest Marcus Pearce
Host of the 100 Not Out podcast and founder of Blue Zone-inspired wellbeing experiences. Marcus has spent more than a decade interviewing centenarians, longevity experts and wellbeing leaders, helping people rethink what it means to live a long and meaningful life. Podcast Extra In Culture Corner: * Marcus reflects on David Attenborough's remarkable longevity and asks: Who is your ageing mentor? * Jess discusses The Mushroom Tapes by Helen Garner, Sarah Krasnostein and Claire Hooper. * Peter talks about rediscovering fountain pens following a recent trip to Japan. Podcast released 29 May 2026.

    PlanningxChange 143 : Place and Longevity - Blue Zones with Marcus Pearce

  4. May 4

    PlanningxChange 142: Turning Litter into Play: Spogomi

    This episode explores spogomi, the Japanese-born idea that reimagines litter collection as a competitive, team-based sport, transforming one of the least appealing aspects of urban life into something energetic, social, and unexpectedly joyful. We are joined by Masanori (Max) Tamazawa and Kazuhiro (Hiro) Yagasaki of the Spogomi Institute, who trace the evolution of spogomi from a local response to everyday urban waste into a global movement. What began as a way to address litter in Japanese cities has become a structured sport, where teams collect, sort, and score waste within a defined time and place, shifting behaviour from obligation to participation. That shift is powerful. Spogomi reframes public space. The overlooked, the discarded, the “back of house” of the city becomes a site of play, collaboration, and shared purpose. It suggests a different way of engaging with urban environments, where care, competition, and community overlap, and where something unattractive is reshaped into a fun, collective expression. The movement has scaled rapidly. The first Spogomi World Cup in Tokyo in 2023 brought together teams from 21 countries, while the 2025 World Cup expanded to more than 30 countries, reflecting its growing global reach and appeal. How can urban managers and promoters harness this new sport to create better civic places? What lessons can be learnt from the experiences so far. Max and Hiro explain the motivation of its creator, how the sport was created, how it plays out and the expressions it takes on in different cultures. A truly wonderful export from Japan. There are many videos of the sport on Instragram and YouTube see for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLNooXSOK0I and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XA3qOiXxsNg. More on spogomi at https://en.nf-spogomiwc.com The spogomi website is currently being updated. When complete we will add. Podcast released 4 May 2026.

    PlanningxChange 142: Turning Litter into Play: Spogomi

  5. Apr 6

    PlanningxChange 141 with Jared Jones, Californian Housing Producer

    In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess Noonan and Peter Jewell are joined by Jared Jones, founder of Middle Housing Partners (https://middlehousingpartners.com) in California, to explore the growing challenge of delivering housing within established neighbourhoods. The conversation begins with a striking observation: in parts of California, access to home ownership is increasingly shaped by inheritance rather than income. From this starting point, the discussion turns to the question facing many cities - how can housing supply increase when established areas remain largely unchanged? Jared outlines his work delivering what is often described as “middle housing” - small-scale, incremental projects such as duplexes, triplexes and accessory dwellings that sit within existing suburban fabric. These projects, sometimes referred to as “quiet density,” offer a way to add housing without large-scale redevelopment, but are not without their challenges. The episode explores the practical realities of this model, including planning controls, approval pathways, infrastructure constraints and the cumulative impact of fees and delays. It also considers the broader implications of housing scarcity, not only in terms of affordability, but for community life, labour mobility and the functioning of cities. Drawing on experience from California, the discussion reflects on what lessons may be relevant across different planning contexts, particularly the role of state-led reform, the balance between local discretion and more consistent, rules-based approaches, and how small-scale housing can be enabled within established neighbourhoods. An interesting discussion with a housing creator who has learnt the gritty way by doing and perseverance. Jared has many insights including a message of respect for those in the assessment role is also most welcome. Episode released on 6 April 2026.

    PlanningxChange 141 with Jared Jones, Californian Housing Producer

  6. Feb 28

    PlanningxChange 140 : PlanningxChange - the year ahead and current topics

    Jess and Pete talk about the year ahead and current planning topics. Episode released 28 February 2026.

    PlanningxChange 140 : PlanningxChange - the year ahead and current topics

  7. Jan 26

    PlanningxChange 139: Driverless Cars: What Do They Mean for Cities and Society?

    Driverless and autonomous vehicles are moving steadily from concept to reality, raising important questions for cities, streets and planning systems. While the technology is often framed as a transport or engineering issue, its impacts are likely to be felt far more broadly — shaping travel behaviour, land use, and the way urban space is organised. In this episode of PlanningxChange, hosts Cam Alderson and Jess Noonan are joined by Cern Basher to explore what autonomous vehicles could mean in practice. The discussion focuses on the economic and systemic forces behind driverless cars, rather than technological hype, and considers how cost, scale and incentives may influence how — and where — autonomy is adopted. The conversation examines potential implications for parking, congestion, public transport and equity, as well as the risk of unintended consequences such as increased travel demand. Rather than assuming a single future outcome, the episode highlights the uncertainty planners must work within as new technologies emerge. This episode also marks PlanningxChange’s first video release, alongside the regular audio format, and introduces a new hosting arrangement — continuing the podcast’s tradition of practical, practitioner-focused discussion about the forces shaping planning and cities. Episode released 26 January 2026.

    PlanningxChange 139: Driverless Cars: What Do They Mean for Cities and Society?

  8. 11/27/2025

    PlanningxChange 138. Agritourism, Regulation and Risk: Insights from 'Old Mission' with Mary Reilly

    In this episode of PlanningxChange, Jess and Peter speak with Mary Reilly, a planner and educator with deep experience in rural land-use issues. Mary helps us unpack the widely discussed Old Mission case from Michigan - a dispute between wineries and a township over land-use controls that resulted in a major federal damages award (approx $50m US). The discussion does not explore the legal merits or the ongoing appeal; instead, it uses the case to illuminate broader lessons for planners everywhere. Mary reflects on how agricultural areas are changing, how councils manage risk, and how planning systems can better balance rural preservation with economic adaptation. She also draws on her teaching experience to explain how real cases help future planners understand complexity, conflict, and the value of clear decision-making. Five Key Themes We Explore 1. What the Old Mission case reveals about zoning and regulation Mary outlines how restrictive controls can create tension when agricultural enterprises diversify into tastings, events, weddings and food service — activities that increasingly blur the line between “farm” and “commercial.” 2. Balancing preservation with economic survival Many farms depend on supplementary income. Mary discusses how planners can support this economic reality while still protecting landscape character, amenity and long-standing rural values. 3. Managing risk for councils and planners A large damages award raises questions about insurance coverage and liability. Mary talks about how planners can help councils navigate uncertainty through clearer drafting, transparent process and sound policy grounding. 4. The unique pressures on small rural municipalities Old Mission, like many small townships, has limited planning resources. Mary explores how smaller councils can respond to complex disputes and why early community engagement can prevent escalation. 5. Lessons for planning education and practice Drawing on her academic work, Mary explains how real planning conflicts — like Old Mission — help students and practitioners think critically about regulation, equity, and the evolving expectations placed on rural land. Podcast Extra / Culture Corner Mary recommends Zoned in the USA by Sonia Hirt (https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801479878/zoned-in-the-usa/#bookTabs=1) and ‘Paris Tea’. Jess recommends going off-line and embracing being bored. Pete recommends furniture beeswax (https://gillysaustralia.com.au) and maintaining the things around you. Episode released 27 November 2025.

    PlanningxChange 138. Agritourism, Regulation and Risk: Insights from 'Old Mission' with Mary Reilly
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About

A podcast devoted to urban planning and the people who make it happen.

Information

  • Creator
    planning exchange podcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    145
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    PlanningXChange

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