Cityscape Global Podcast

Season 2 Ep.6 – Dr. Alison Gilliland | Former Mayor of Dublin & Executive Director, Construction Workers Health Trust

"The most carbon-friendly building is the one that's already built."   Not a new one. Not necessarily a greener one. The one that's already standing.   Dr. Alison Gilliland, Former Lord Mayor of Dublin and a driving force behind the Vacant to Vibrant Building Alliance, explores how bringing existing buildings back into use could help address housing shortages while supporting more sustainable cities. From Dublin's vacant upper floors to Bologna's approach to urban regeneration, this episode examines how to unlock the potential of the buildings we already have.

Season 2 Ep.5 – Lord Ed Vaizey | Former UK Minister for Culture, Communications, and Creative Industries

"They demolish their heritage at pace and they regret it at leisure."   That's the warning at the heart of this episode of the Cityscape Global Podcast, where Lord Ed Vaizey, Former UK Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, makes the case for why technology alone will never be enough to build a great city. From London's 32 fragmented boroughs to the rise and fall of AI start-ups, Lord Vaizey explores why public bodies move more slowly than business, why you can never put new technology "back in the box", and the one AI risk that genuinely worries him.   He also makes a compelling case for culture as essential urban infrastructure, not a luxury added as an afterthought, pointing to hospitals, restaurants, and heritage districts as proof. Plus, the real story behind King's Cross, Battersea Power Station, and Canary Wharf, and why politicians changing roles is one of the biggest threats to long-term urban vision.

Season 2 Ep.4 – Michael Hancock | Former Mayor of Denver

What does it take to transform a city’s downtown into a globally fluent hub for capital, skills, and long-term competitiveness?   Michael B. Hancock, Former Mayor of Denver, reflects on the decisions that shaped its trajectory during a pivotal period. Confronted with a $100 million budget gap and the challenges of economic recovery, he championed a vision that strengthened its appeal to investors, businesses, and talent.   In this conversation, Michael explores the leadership choices, infrastructure investments, and long-term thinking that helped drive growth. He also shares insights into how cities can restore confidence, build on their distinctive strengths, and balance immediate demands with a future-focused agenda.

Season 2 Ep.3 - Ludo Campbell Reid | Former Executive GM of the Suburban Rail Loop Authority

The biggest comeback of all is not in sport, not in business, and not in politics.   According to Ludo Campbell-Reid, Former Executive GM of the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, it is the comeback of cities.   Ludo, who led the largest infrastructure project in Victoria, Australia, unpacks what urban transformation actually requires, from diagnosing the root causes of city failure to why cities with world class plans still struggle to deliver, and the role of mega events as accelerators of change.

Season 2 Ep.2 - Silvia Roldán | Former CEO of Metro de Madrid & Former Deputy Minister for Digitalisation of the Community of Madrid

What does it take to run a metro system that never sleeps?   Silvia Roldán, Former CEO of Metro de Madrid and Former Deputy Minister for Digitalisation of the Community of Madrid, joins the Cityscape Global Podcast to share what urban mobility really looks like from the inside.   From leading through a global pandemic and a historic snowstorm to managing the daily pressure of moving millions, this is a conversation about what it really takes to keep a city moving.