The Perfect City – Details, episodes & analysis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How can we build great places in neighborhoods that are vibrant and encourage community? Well Community Activator Andrea Terán has a lot of experiences in what is called "placemaking".

Follow Andrea Terán:

https://www.instagram.com/ateranorlich/

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

Is it possible to build a great city anywhere despite the weather? How about making city improvements when there's rain, sleet, or snow?

Here we discuss why weather is often not a good excuse for not making urban improvements.

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