Renaturing for Resilience

Stewart Monti
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How can cities work with nature to become more resilient? Renaturing for Resilience explores urban greening, climate adaptation, and ecological design through conversations with experts in planning, policy, and sustainability. From flood resilience to biodiversity restoration, each episode uncovers real-world solutions shaping the future of cities. Join host Stewart Monti as we explore how urban nature can help communities thrive. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Episodes

  1. 04/21/2025

    Designing for Complexity: Climate Adaptation & Systems Change with Matthijs Bouw (One Architecture and Urbanism)

    How do you design for a crisis that’s already happening—and constantly changing? In this episode of Renaturing for Resilience, host Stewart Monti speaks with Matthijs Bouw, founder of One Architecture and Urbanism, about the role of design in navigating climate complexity, institutional inertia, and social vulnerability. Matthijs shares insights from decades of work across the Netherlands and the U.S., helping cities confront sea level rise, flooding, and climate risk through long-term, multi-scalar approaches to resilience. We explore: Why climate adaptation requires designers to embrace systems thinking Lessons from Rebuild by Design and community-led resilience in New York and the Bay Area The limits of traditional infrastructure and the case for multi-benefit, iterative solutions How resilience isn’t just about protection—it’s about governance, equity, and cultural change This episode explores how design can help institutions evolve, communities adapt, and cities become not just more resilient—but more just and responsive.

    37 min

  2. 04/14/2025

    Coastal Resilience by Design: Data, Landscapes & Adaptation with Keith VanDerSys (University of Pennsylvania)

    What role can design play in helping coastal cities adapt to a changing climate? In this episode of Renaturing for Resilience, host Stewart Monti speaks with Keith VanDerSys, Senior Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Director of the Environmental Modeling Lab at the McHarg Center. Keith shares how landscape architecture is evolving to meet the demands of sea level rise, storm risk, and ecological degradation—shifting from fixed solutions to adaptive, data-informed, and justice-driven approaches. We explore: Why the concept of non-stationarity demands new thinking in design and policy The Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge and its approach to layered vulnerability The role of data modelling and interdisciplinary tools in designing for uncertainty The ethical complexity of managed retreat and designing with community at the centre This episode examines how coastal resilience is as much about mindset and method as it is about materials—calling on designers to embrace complexity, context, and change.

    32 min

  3. 04/07/2025

    Designing the Future: Ecological Planning & Resilient Cities with Frederick Steiner (University of Pennsylvania)

    How can cities be redesigned to work with nature rather than against it? In this episode of Renaturing for Resilience, host Stewart Monti speaks with Frederick (Fritz) Steiner, Dean of the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design and a leading voice in ecological planning and urban resilience. Fritz shares insights on how planning, policy, and education can shape a more sustainable urban future, including: The legacy of Ian McHarg and the evolution of ecological planning How Penn’s campus has become a living lab for green infrastructure The role of policy, design, and community engagement in resilience Why long-term thinking is essential for climate adaptation and biodiversityThis episode explores how urban planning, research, and practice must align to build truly resilient cities for generations to come.

    27 min

  4. 03/31/2025

    Biophilic Cities in Action: Policy, Planning & Urban Nature with JD Brown (Biophilic Cities)

    How can cities go beyond green spaces and truly integrate nature into everyday life? In this episode of Renaturing for Resilience, host Stewart Monti speaks with JD Brown, Program Director at Biophilic Cities, about the intersection of policy, urban planning, and biophilic design. JD shares insights on how cities worldwide are embedding nature into governance and infrastructure, including: What makes a biophilic city and how to create one How policy and legal frameworks shape urban greening efforts The challenges of funding and implementing nature-based solutions Why community-driven, equitable access to nature is key to urban resilienceThis episode explores how policy, planning, and innovation can make cities not just greener—but truly biophilic and climate-resilient.

    30 min

  5. 03/24/2025

    The Power of Biophilic Cities: Designing for Nature, Health & Resilience with Tim Beatley (UVA)

    What if cities were designed to reconnect people with nature? In this episode of Renaturing for Resilience, host Stewart Monti speaks with Tim Beatley, Professor of Urban Planning at the University of Virginia and founder of the Biophilic Cities Network. Tim shares how biophilic urbanism is transforming cities into healthier, greener, and more resilient places. We explore: Why nature-filled cities are more liveable, sustainable, and climate-resilient The role of urban wildlife, tree canopy, and green infrastructure in shaping resilient communities The connection between biophilia, mental health, and social well-being How cities worldwide are embedding biophilic design into policy and planningThis episode is an inspiring look at how embracing nature in urban life can create healthier, happier, and more resilient communities.

    24 min

  6. 03/17/2025

    Connecting Urban Nature: Habitat Conservation & Regional Planning with Lori Hennings (Oregon Metro)

    How can cities protect and restore biodiversity while growing sustainably? In this episode of Renaturing for Resilience, host Stewart Monti speaks with Lori Hennings, Senior Natural Resource Scientist at Oregon Metro, about the critical role of habitat connectivity, land conservation, and climate resilience in urban planning. Lori shares insights from over two decades of ecological planning, covering: How habitat corridors support urban wildlife and climate adaptation The role of Oregon’s Urban Growth Boundary in balancing development and conservation Strategies for integrating green infrastructure and ecological networks into city planning Why environmental justice must be central to nature-based resilienceThis episode explores how regional planning can safeguard biodiversity, protect communities, and ensure cities thrive in a changing climate.

    29 min

  7. 03/10/2025

    Building a Resilient District: Community-Led Sustainability with Joshua Baker (Lloyd EcoDistrict)

    How can entire neighbourhoods lead the way in urban sustainability? In this episode of Renaturing for Resilience, host Stewart Monti speaks with Joshua Baker, Outreach Program Manager at Lloyd EcoDistrict, a nonprofit transforming Portland’s Lloyd neighbourhood into one of the most sustainable urban districts in the U.S. Joshua shares how collaborative, community-driven action is making cities more resilient, energy-efficient, and ecologically vibrant. We explore: The role of EcoDistricts in scaling up urban sustainability Challenges and successes in revitalising Peace Memorial Park How green infrastructure is reshaping urban mobility and public space The power of voluntary collaboration in climate actionThis episode highlights how local action and innovative governance can transform urban resilience—one district at a time.

    33 min

  8. 03/03/2025

    Regenerative Cities: Designing for Biodiversity & Climate Resilience with Kirstin Weeks (BioStudio)

    How can buildings and cities function like ecosystems? In this episode of Renaturing for Resilience, host Stewart Monti speaks with Kirstin Weeks, founder of BioStudio and a leader in regenerative design, biophilic urbanism, and ecological resilience. Kirstin shares her journey from green building consulting to urban ecology, explaining why cities must go beyond sustainability to actively regenerate nature and biodiversity. We explore: How buildings can mimic ecosystems through biomimicry The role of urban creeks, native landscapes, and habitat restoration in city resilience Why community-driven projects are essential for lasting impact The intersection of climate adaptation, health, and environmental justiceThis episode dives deep into designing cities that don’t just sustain life—but regenerate it.

    22 min

  9. 02/24/2025

    Designing for Resilience: Nature-Based Solutions with Richard Mullane & Annie Ryan (Hassell)

    How can cities adapt to climate change while enhancing biodiversity and public space? In this episode of Renaturing for Resilience, host Stewart Monti speaks with Richard Mullane and Annie Ryan from Hassell, exploring how nature-based solutions are reshaping urban resilience. We dive into their work on Colma Creek in South San Francisco, where flood adaptation goes beyond engineering to reconnect communities with nature. They share insights from the Resilient by Design Bay Area Challenge, highlighting the role of policy, community engagement, and long-term investment in making cities climate-ready. The challenge of fragmented urban governanceIntegrating green infrastructure into flood adaptationWhy resilience planning must prioritize social equityLessons from global best practices in urban ecology This episode uncovers the big ideas shaping the future of climate-resilient cities—from localised solutions to policy shifts.

    32 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

How can cities work with nature to become more resilient? Renaturing for Resilience explores urban greening, climate adaptation, and ecological design through conversations with experts in planning, policy, and sustainability. From flood resilience to biodiversity restoration, each episode uncovers real-world solutions shaping the future of cities. Join host Stewart Monti as we explore how urban nature can help communities thrive. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

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