The Perfect City

Ariel Viera and Dr. T Panova
  • 5.0 (4)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL

What makes for a city that people love to live in? Why are some cities a joy to be in while others are a bore? Let's investigate with psychologist Dr. T Panova and documentarian Ariel Viera about what it takes to make the perfect city.

Episodes

  1. How Robert Moses Transformed NYC (with Thomas J. Campanella)

    8H AGO

    How Robert Moses Transformed NYC (with Thomas J. Campanella)

    If you ever read NYC history, there's one name you'll see over and over again: Robert Moses. He's one of the most controversial and consequential figures in this city's history. But why? Let's find out with Professor Thomas J. Campanella who's running a course 'Robert Moses’s New York: The Legend and The Legacy' Check out the online course starting March 30th: https://roundtable.org/live-courses/history/robert-moses-new-york-the-legend-and-the-legacy?utm_source=Ariel&utm_medium=collaboration&utm_campaign=mosesariel About the Podcast: The Perfect City podcast delves into the importance of human-friendly urban design while also addressing the historical context of urban planning and the impact of rigid limitations on good city development, such as zoning codes. We will explore the factors that contribute to built environments that are enjoyable, walkable, beautiful, safe, productive, sustainable, and healthy with the goal of identifying the right approach to building great cities in the future. We are Tayana Panova, PhD, psychologist and urbanist, and documentarian Ariel Viera.  Edited by Maria Elpida-Keridu Follow us: ⁠https://instagram.com/dr.tpanova ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/urbanistariel⁠

    40 min
  2. Is NYC Really The Greatest City in the World?

    09/25/2025

    Is NYC Really The Greatest City in the World?

    Could NYC really claim to be the greatest city in the world? Or is it a city that needs to learn from other cities? About the Podcast: The Perfect City podcast delves into the importance of human-friendly urban design while also addressing the historical context of urban planning and the impact of rigid limitations on good city development, such as zoning codes. We will explore the factors that contribute to built environments that are enjoyable, walkable, beautiful, safe, productive, sustainable, and healthy with the goal of identifying the right approach to building great cities in the future. We are Tayana Panova, PhD, psychologist and urbanist, and documentarian Ariel Viera.  Edited by Maria Elpida-Keridu Follow us: ⁠https://instagram.com/dr.tpanova ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/urbanistariel⁠

    55 min
  3. When it Comes to Cities, is Greener Better?

    09/22/2025

    When it Comes to Cities, is Greener Better?

    Are parks, trees, and waterfronts important for the health of cities? Let's find out. About the Podcast: The Perfect City podcast delves into the importance of human-friendly urban design while also addressing the historical context of urban planning and the impact of rigid limitations on good city development, such as zoning codes. We will explore the factors that contribute to built environments that are enjoyable, walkable, beautiful, safe, productive, sustainable, and healthy with the goal of identifying the right approach to building great cities in the future. We are Tayana Panova, PhD, psychologist and urbanist, and documentarian Ariel Viera.  Follow us: ⁠https://instagram.com/dr.tpanova ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/urbanistariel⁠

    1h 2m
  4. How Cars Destroy our Cities

    09/04/2025

    How Cars Destroy our Cities

    Are cars the reason for many issues in cities? We think so, and here's why. About the Podcast: The Perfect City podcast delves into the importance of human-friendly urban design while also addressing the historical context of urban planning and the impact of rigid limitations on good city development, such as zoning codes. We will explore the factors that contribute to built environments that are enjoyable, walkable, beautiful, safe, productive, sustainable, and healthy with the goal of identifying the right approach to building great cities in the future. We are Tayana Panova, PhD, psychologist and urbanist, and documentarian Ariel Viera.  Follow us: ⁠https://instagram.com/dr.tpanova ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/urbanistariel⁠ Chapters 00:00 The Impact of Cars on Urban Design 00:48 Congestion Pricing: A Case Study in New York City 05:01 Human-Centric vs. Car-Centric Cities 09:16 The Allure of Cars and the Myth of Freedom 22:41 The Inefficiency of Car-Centric Design 28:39 Rethinking Urban Space Utilization 34:04 Environmental Impacts of Urban Design 39:42 Changing Perceptions of Urban Living 47:10 Making Cars Optional in Urban Areas

    52 min
  5. Why Are Cities So Ugly? (Does Beauty Matter?)

    08/28/2025

    Why Are Cities So Ugly? (Does Beauty Matter?)

    Have you noticed a decline in beauty in many modern cities? Why is that? Does beauty even matter in the 21st century? About the Podcast: The Perfect City podcast delves into the importance of human-friendly urban design while also addressing the historical context of urban planning and the impact of rigid limitations on good city development, such as zoning codes. We will explore the factors that contribute to built environments that are enjoyable, walkable, beautiful, safe, productive, sustainable, and healthy with the goal of identifying the right approach to building great cities in the future. We are Tayana Panova, PhD, psychologist and urbanist, and documentarian Ariel Viera.  Follow us: ⁠https://instagram.com/dr.tpanova ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/urbanistariel⁠

    54 min
  6. Why Cafes are a Must in Every Neighborhood

    08/21/2025

    Why Cafes are a Must in Every Neighborhood

    Cafes are one of the most important staples of any great city, but not just because of the coffee. It's a crucial "Third Place" About the Podcast: The Perfect City podcast delves into the importance of human-friendly urban design while also addressing the historical context of urban planning and the impact of rigid limitations on good city development, such as zoning codes. We will explore the factors that contribute to built environments that are enjoyable, walkable, beautiful, safe, productive, sustainable, and healthy with the goal of identifying the right approach to building great cities in the future. We are Tayana Panova, PhD, psychologist and urbanist, and documentarian Ariel Viera.  Follow us: ⁠https://instagram.com/dr.tpanova ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/urbanistariel⁠

    42 min
  7. Is Paris the ultimate 15-minute city?

    08/14/2025

    Is Paris the ultimate 15-minute city?

    Is the concept of the 15-minute city a useful one for more cities to adpot? In this episode we take a look into Paris and why it's a great example of urban density done right. About the Podcast: The Perfect City podcast delves into the importance of human-friendly urban design while also addressing the historical context of urban planning and the impact of rigid limitations on good city development, such as zoning codes. We will explore the factors that contribute to built environments that are enjoyable, walkable, beautiful, safe, productive, sustainable, and healthy with the goal of identifying the right approach to building great cities in the future. We are Tayana Panova, PhD, psychologist and urbanist, and documentarian Ariel Viera.  Follow us: ⁠https://instagram.com/dr.tpanova ⁠⁠https://instagram.com/urbanistariel⁠

    31 min

  8. 08/07/2025

    Why Barcelona Attracts the Masses

    Why does Barcelona attract the masses in both people wanting to live in the city and visit it? The answer might be with how it's designed. In this second episode of The Perfect City, we will take a look at a top contender for perfection in urban planning and design – Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and a prime example of architectural beauty and masterful human-centric urbanism. We will discuss what makes it stand out in comparison to other major cities and what it can teach us about the kind of built environments that people are most drawn to. About the Podcast The Perfect City podcast delves into the importance of human-friendly urban design while also addressing the historical context of urban planning and the impact of rigid limitations on good city development, such as zoning codes. We will explore the factors that contribute to built environments that are enjoyable, walkable, beautiful, safe, productive, sustainable, and healthy with the goal of identifying the right approach to building great cities in the future. We are Tayana Panova, PhD, psychologist and urbanist, and documentarian Ariel Viera.  Follow us: instagram.com/dr.tpanova instagram.com/urbanistariel

    46 min
  9. Is It Possible to Build a Perfect City?

    08/03/2025

    Is It Possible to Build a Perfect City?

    What defines a perfect city? That’s what we will be trying to figure out in this new podcast as we explore the topics of urbanism, walkability, street design, architecture, public transit, and more. In our inaugural episode of The Perfect City, we endeavor to figure out if we have ever encountered a perfect city ourselves, if such a thing even exists, and if not – how can we create one? What components are key to making a great city and why don’t we have more of them? We delve into the importance of density, human scale development, and fluidity in urban design, while also addressing the historical context of urban planning and the impact of rigid limitations on good city design, such as zoning codes. We will explore the factors that contribute to built environments that are enjoyable, walkable, beautiful, safe, productive, sustainable, and healthy with the goal of identifying the right approach to building great cities in the future. We are Tayana Panova, PhD, psychologist and urbanist, and documentarian Ariel Viera.  Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tpanova https://www.instagram.com/urbanistariel

    26 min
  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

What makes for a city that people love to live in? Why are some cities a joy to be in while others are a bore? Let's investigate with psychologist Dr. T Panova and documentarian Ariel Viera about what it takes to make the perfect city.

Information

  • Creator
    Ariel Viera and Dr. T Panova
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ariel Viera and Dr. T Panova
  • Show Website
    The Perfect City