Sustainable Futures: Designing Green Communities and Buildings

• Episode 21 - Getting Deep in the Soil with Molly Meyer

  In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with pioneer and self-proclaimed soil nerd Molly Meyer, founder and CEO of Omni Ecosystems out of Chicago. Molly’s started Omni Ecosystems with the goal of democratizing nature, a vision of creating sustainable spaces and products that serve everyone and support broader ecosystems. With that goal, Molly and their team at Omni have worked tirelessly to tune the Omni Infinity Media, a lightweight, high porosity growing media that supports both plants and microbial networks to recreate whole ecosystems that are resilient, versatile, and affordable. With an emphasis and passion for soil sciences and dynamics, they are looking at ways not just to mitigate the impacts of the built environment, but to leverage constructed ecosystems to eliminate the impacts of the development industry entirely, allowing urban communities and natural ecosystems to coexist. Join us for a conversation on how Omni is taking a deep dive into the soil to better understand the world beneath our feet.

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• Episode 20 - Modeling Inclusive Urban Revitalization with Mitchell Cohen

  In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with activist, developer, and President of the Daniels Corporation Mitchell Cohen, as he details his work in the redevelopment of the critically underserved and disadvantaged Toronto community of Regent Park. Mitchell shares his experiences working in community development in Montreal, and how that eventually led him to spearhead the $1.5 billion revitalization project. Through an emphasis on affordability, community preservation, and resilience, his work in Regent Park has transformed the neighborhood from one of neglect and inattention to a thriving and inclusive community with deep connections to history and place for those who live there, fulfilling a 75 year vision for the community. Join us for a conversation on how affordability and preservation can be prioritized while growing our communities for the future of urban growth.You can find Mitchell’s book Rhythms of Change - Reflections on the Regent Park Revitalization at all major retailers.

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• Episode 19 - Intersecting Ecological and Human Health with Kathleen Wolf

  In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a Dr. Kathleen Wolf, researcher and social scientist specializing in the intersection of nature and human health and wellbeing. Dr. Wolf focused her research on the human dimensions of urban forestry and urban green space, in particular studying nearby nature experiences and human health response. She has numerous publications to her name, aimed at building better knowledge of the social and psychological benefits that city trees and nearby nature provide, and sharing that across non-traditional audiences, including business, public health, medicine, and urban planning. Today, although semi-retired she continues to be active in research and science outreach, looking at ways in which the human experience is enhanced through the natural systems around us. Join us for a conversation on how human health responds to the natural world, and the ways in which we can incorporate those impacts into our design process.

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• Episode 18 - Exploring Health, Equity, and Climate with Gail Vittori

  In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a luminary of sustainable built environment systems, Gail Vittori. Gail is the Co-Director of the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, and has lead the way in the field of sustainable health care and resilient building. Through her career she has led innovative resilience strategies and explored ways to enhance the built environment for this and future generations, such as the proposal of a conceptual framework for what became the City of Austin's Green Building Program, widely considered the first green building program in the world. She is also the co-author of Sustainable Healthcare Architecture, a seminal work on the design and operations of sustainable healthcare facilities which promote healing and wellbeing through their design and interface with natural systems. Join us for a conversation on the power of the natural world, and the important ability it has to enhance our wellbeing.

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• Episode 17 - Blazing a Green Roof Trail with Tom Liptan

  In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with green roof pioneer Tom Liptan, one of the key figures in launching the green roof market in North America, to discuss the growths and changes in the green roof industry and where it could go from here. Tom’s journey with green roofs began out of his own interest, building a green roof by himself on his garage, and over time grew to influence his work with the city of Portland and his thinking about urban ecosystems and climate resilience. He has been a key figure in the growth and development of the green roof industry and the thinking around North American stormwater management through green infrastructure. Join us for a conversation on the early days of North American green roofs, climate resilience, and reflections on an illustrious career in green infrastructure.

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