The CityChangers Podcast: Inspiring Liveable, Equitable, Sustainable Cities “The CityChangers Podcast” explores innovative ideas, showcases success stories (and, importantly, the failures), and delves into the strategies that contribute to positive urban transformations. Each episode features a new thought leader, expert, or visionary who shares their experiences and expertise in making cities better places to live, work, and thrive.
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Art Smitten is SYN's weekly guide to arts, culture and entertainment in Australia and around the world. With a focus on youth and emerging arts, we're here to showcase culture ahead of the curve. From our base in Naarm/Melbourne, contributors interview, review, and cover the very best of what the world’s second-most liveable city has to offer. Whether it's film, fashion, photography or Fauvism you're into, Art Smitten is the place!
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How come our modern cities have become so hostile to humans, so ugly, car-oriented and grey? What is the solution to these problems - how can we return to a more human, beautiful and liveable city? In this podcast, host Ruben Hanssen interviews experts in the fields of architecture, urban planning and urban design to find out how we can improve our cities, our architecture and our streets, in order to create more friendly and beautiful places. The clock is ticking; valuable land is wasted on ...
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onepointfive is a podcast about those working to tackle climate change. Warmer summers and colder winters are just the tip of this iceberg that is humanity's biggest threat. But while this seems scary, we should remind ourselves that through hardships we'll reach the stars. My goal is to learn with you about the entrepreneurs, policymakers, investors, and visionaries that have decided to dedicate their lives to make Earth a more liveable place. Andiamo!
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"Making Smart Communities that are Accessible, Liveable and Sustainable for All" The Smart Community Podcast is a hub where Smart and exciting people from all around the world come to discuss all things Smart City, Smart Town, Smart Region - anything that makes a place more liveable. Together we can create the Smart Community Collective. Disclaimer: All content is representative of personal opinion only and is not associated with any company, organisation or government agency.
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Melanie Miller is a lover of the unsexy side of business. After breaking up with the corporate world of soul-sucking employers Melanie became a successful business coach. Just a few years into her new career tragedy struck when Melanie's mum was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, sadly losing her short battle in 2013. Melanie decided she wanted to do something more impactful than just helping people make money. Knowing she couldn't save everyone from life's terrible twists a ...
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Urbanism Vancouver explores the built environment of Vancouver, Canada - how we got to where we are, and what our history tells us about how we look forward to the future. We share insights not only from industry experts, but also from passionate advocates, and residents like you. With each episode, we'll look at different components that shape our urban experience in Vancouver, and we'll discuss how we can make cities more vibrant, affordable, and liveable places. With our shared experience ...
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WHEREING explores ‘where we are’. Like clothing, we are ‘WHEREING’ (wear-ing) our spaces. Hosted by architect/designer/professor Nina Freedman, these are mindful conversations about BELONGING, SPACE AND DESIGN. . Where Are You?...is a basic existential question. Where do you belong? . At WHEREING we talk with designers, artists, poets, healers, writers, educators...and regular wonderful everyday people who think about belonging ...perhaps YOU. We talk about our connections or disconnections ...
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In our throwaway culture, binning a broken object and buying a replacement is often the easiest, and cheapest, solution. But the take-make-waste economy has serious costs – for the environment and also for the community. So, what would the alternative look like? We visit a repair café in Graz, Austria, to understand what it means to give an item a …
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SCRAP MAG - Lia Mills, Ingrid Hollis and Ella Rawson
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In this episode, Lucy and Jennifer will be chatting to the people behind SCRAP MAG - the unofficial zine of VCA. We will be discussing how SCRAP MAG came to be, the importance of student-led publishing, and the work that is to be done. Excited to share with you all, and a big thanks to Lia, Ella and Ingrid for joining us! Art Smitten airs on SYN Ra…
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After centuries in charge, men have made a mess of our cities! Gender bias is present in almost every element of urban planning and design, from mobility networks right down to the way we build houses. So what does it take to dislodge gendered microaggressions from the built environment? How can we reimagine municipal processes so that women are fa…
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#43 - Léon Krier (part 2): The Story of Poundbury
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Léon Krier is a renowned Luxembourgian architect and urban planner, often hailed as the godfather of the New Urbanism and Traditional Urbanism movement. He has been a vocal critic of modernist architecture, advocating instead for a return to traditional, human-scale urban design. Krier's philosophy emphasizes walkable neighborhoods, a mix of housin…
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Life goes on after the sun goes on, so why should our cities stop? With more cities around the world creating night offices and appointing night mayors – we take a look at the potential (and the pitfalls) involved in government after dark, and ask who should the night-time really belong to? Featuring: Jess Reia, Mathieu Grondin *The interview with …
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Unassigned Gallery - Nour and Phoebe
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In this episode of Art Smitten, Audrey is joined by Nour and Phoebe from Unassigned Gallery in Brunswick discussing the origins of the gallery, the ethos of their programming and upcoming exhibitions including 'Exhibition for ants 2.0' Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowledges and pays respect to the people of the Woi wurrung and…
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I really enjoyed chatting with the people behind HAIR, a new artist-run initiative on Elizabeth Street! We talked all about the space, their plans for the gallery and the kind of events and exhibitions they are hosting. Check them out on Instagram - @hair__ari Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowledges and pays respect to the peop…
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I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Chris Orr recently, a local established artist. Chris has worked and studied in graphic design, and uses these principles in his work. Chris creates digital manipulations that focus on objects and are often series centred around a particular theme. Chris’ most recent exhibition was this year, at fortyfiv…
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This week, we had the pleasure of chatting with Lucia, Head Editor of Demure Magazine. Demure is a local online publication focused on highlighting experimental and engaging explorations of literature, arts, culture and fashion. With their first issue released in August of 2021, Demure has continued to expand, with a print-publication release for t…
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Finally! A long-awaited recording of Art Smitten's live show at Melbourne Art Book Fair, in the NGV Grand Hall. Listen in as Audrey and Sen turn their attention to arts and publishing, diving into the history of art manifestos and the impact of DIY publishing as acts of resistance. The pair also host an interview with Kaiqi from Betweenia Project 夾…
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We had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Pip Wallis, Senior Curator at MUMA Monash University Museum of Art! Pip has curated a solo exhibition of work by acclaimed Chinese-American artist Candice Lin titled ‘The Sex Life of Stone’ opening this weekend, Saturday 29th of June. Candice Lin is an interdisciplinary artist who works across ceramics …
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Recently, we had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Sylva and Victoria from 138 Gallery! 138 is based in Brunswick East on Lygon Street. We were lucky enough to chat all about their gallery space, their accessible application processes and their exhibitions! At the time, they were showing Aperitif, a group exhibition with Shannon Toth, Georgia …
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Storytelling to Inspire Engagement in Urban Planning (with Uytae Lee)
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Uytae Lee from the YouTube channel About Here, joins Helen Lui to chat about storytelling in urban planning, emphasizing the need for effective communication strategies to drive public engagement. They also advocate for diverse voices in advocating for inclusive urban environments. About Here: https://www.youtube.com/@AboutHere Show Credits: Host: …
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Helen Lui interviews Fern Hahn, a transit advocate and urban planning student, who shares experiences that shaped their perspective on public transit. Fern discusses advocating for better transit and their interest in transit network design. Next, Helen speaks with Matthew and Emma from UBC CAPACity, focusing on engaging university students in urba…
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Designing for Happiness (with Houssam Elokda)
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The conversation continues with Houssam Elokda from Happy Cities, as Helen Lui explores the impact of the built environment on communities, emphasizing the importance of creating livable and sustainable cities. They discuss the subjective nature of happiness and well-being in urban settings, also highlighting the significance of social connections,…
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Does Density Impact Happiness? (with Houssam Elokda)
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Density is a hotly debated topic in urban centres. Is it good? Is it bad? Does it make us more isolated, more lonely, or can it improve our happiness? Helen Lui speaks with Houssam Elokda, from Happy Cities. Their research explores the connection between urban design and happiness, striving to enhance the quality of life in cities through sustainab…
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‘Resilience’ has become something of a buzzword these days – not just in terms of a desirable personality trait but also something companies and even cities can aspire to. But what does it look like in practice? We travel to Rotterdam to ask: What exactly makes a city resilient? How can you measure such a thing? And whose job is it to prepare our c…
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Helen Lui speaks with Mark Boardman and Alyssa Sacal from Minivillage, a Vancouver-based company fostering social connections within neighbourhoods. Mark discusses transforming neighbours into friends, while Alyssa emphasizes combating loneliness. The conversation explores authentic community bonds, the impact of physical environments on social con…
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I had the pleasure of chatting with two of Next Wave’s Artistic Directors, Anthony ‘Banda’ Bandalan and Matisse Laida. Next Wave is celebrating 40 years with an exciting program called All School Lab - full of artist talks, performances and activities running over the 24th and 25th of May. The event will conclude with a party curated by Next Wave’s…
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Helen Lui is joined by architects Amit Price Patel and Jill Robertson from DIALOG, to discuss the design of great public spaces. They share insights on the political power of design, the intersection of science and art in shaping communities, and the significance of community engagement in creating inclusive spaces. The conversation emphasizes incl…
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For our new vol Lucy's first show we chatted with Monikha from Other Goods and Services - all about Goods, Services, and manifesting the best work-balance lifestyle possible in the industry. Monikha was a delight to chat with, and we're really keen to see what's going to happen next in the Other Goods space! Other Goods is a local shop front, event…
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Why do we fear failure? Sustainability is an iterative process. There are no shortcuts. But in a world focussed on success, we often hide from our mistakes. Recognising this, Gerald Babel-Sutter set out to unite urban change-makers in an environment where they could confidently share their pitfalls, problems, and brick walls. The idea caught on. Wh…
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This week, we had the opportunity to speak with emerging artist Vivian Qiu all about her practice, projects and philosophy! Vivian develops material forms in order to consider cultural identity and connection to place. Through experimentation with organic materials, she has built a 'sentimental' practice of jewellery-making. Check out Vivian's work…
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Before our season break, I spoke to Zeta Hamilton-Durkin, local young filmmaker, dancer and visual artist. Listen now to a great chat with Zeta about her practice, her upcoming exhibitions and the connections she makes with other emerging artists! Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM SYN Media acknowledges and pays respect to the people of the Woi…
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The Evolution of Third Spaces (with the Sneaky Artist)
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Helen Lui is joined by Urban Sketch Artist Nishant Jain, also known as "the Sneaky Artist" to discuss the concept of 'Third Spaces'—the places between home and work where social bonds are forged and community enriched. We explore how these spaces, from parks to cafes, are not just physical locations but also platforms for cultural expression and so…
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How Do We Improve Public Transportation? (with RMTransit)
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Reece Martin from the YouTube channel RMTransit joins Helen Lui to discuss the evolving landscape of urban mobility and public transit. Explore the cutting-edge developments and innovative solutions that are shaping the future of our cities. Reece, who grew up in the Lower Mainland, and now a resident of Toronto, shares his expert insights on the c…
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Helen Lui explores the critical need for safer, more sustainable urban transportation with Lucy Maloney, a fervent cycling advocate who leads the organization "Love The Lane" and is also a HUB Cycling member. Lucy discusses the ongoing efforts to promote safer streets in Vancouver, addressing the broader challenges of shifting public policy. She hi…
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Cities for People and the Planet (with Rhiannon Fox)
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Helen Lui discusses the interconnectedness of urban development, climate initiatives, and public safety with guest, environmental scientist Rhiannon Fox. Highlighting the benefits of dense, less car-dependent cities, the discussion emphasizes community involvement and personal action as catalysts for change. Rhiannon shares how individual efforts c…
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Elected officials make decisions that affect millions of people, but beyond voting every few years, what say do citizens really have? Maybe democracy needs a tune-up. A citizens’ assembly – a sort of lottery promising better representation – can bring diverse voices to the table. Copenhagen has already given it a go, and the change in perspectives …
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Blindside - Ponie Curtis and Phuong Nguyen Le
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This week I spoke with emerging artists Ponie Curtis and Phuong Nguyen Le, who have both recently graduated from their respective arts courses at VCA and RMIT. Joining us was Audrey Thomas-Hayes, one of the curators of DEBUT XX and artistic director at Blindside. DEBUT is Blindside Gallery’s annual exhibition of works by recent graduates from Naarm…
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#42 - Steve Mouzon: True Sustainability & the Importance of Loveable Cities
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Steve Mouzon is an architect, urbanist and author known for his work in the New Urbanism movement. With several influential books and articles on the subject of sustainable and traditional architecture, including "The Original Green: Unlocking the Mystery of True Sustainability," today’s guest goes beyond the regular, technological solutions to fix…
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Moving an entire city? It’s not science fiction. Faced with an existential crisis, the city of Kiruna, in Sweden, is being relocated approximately three kilometres away from where it was founded – brick by brick. The whole process raises some interesting questions: how exactly do you undertake such a massive task? What do you bring with you from th…
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Did you know that 2024 marks 100 years of Surrealism? I dive into the birth of Surrealism and introduce you to the terms, techniques and artists that work within the movement. Art Smitten airs on SYN Radio 90.7 FM See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By SYN Media
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Louise Meuwissen - Artist Interview
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I interviewed contemporary textile and embroidery artist and good friend, Louise Meuwissen. Louise and I chat about her practice in art and fashion, the art world and it’s structures and our shared love of collecting second-hand objects. A big thank you to Louise for inviting me into her space and facilitating such an interesting chat ❤️ Art Smitte…
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Bus Projects - Jermaine Ibarra and Juliet Phraser
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This week I had the pleasure of speaking to local artists Jermaine Ibarra and Juliet Phraser about their exhibitions at Bus Projects. Jermaine Ibarra and Sara Jajou have a duet exhibition opening today, the 27th of March, titled Love Song open till the 20th of April. https://busprojects.org.au/program/love-song Juliet Phraser has a solo show openin…
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How can we ensure that a ‘smart city’ is also a fair, diverse and ethical one? We talk to Douwe Schmidt from the city of Amsterdam about the thorny issues cities face when implementing technological solutions, and why we can’t leave ethical decision-making to the computers. Featuring: Douwe SchmidtBy Urban Future
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Ever wondered why art galleries have plain white walls, bright white light, and simple minimalist decor? This interior practice has been labelled the ‘white cube’ by art writer Brian O’Doherty in his fundamental 1976 text, ‘Inside the White Cube: The Ideology of the Gallery Space.’ This week for our art history segment, Audrey dives into the concep…
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What would a city designed entirely by children look like? And what could it tell us about the cities we live in now – the good things and the bad? Academic Christina Ergler's research into pre-school aged children and the urban environment has some surprising insights for the experts (and the adults) who make the big decisions about our cities, as…
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Host Helen Lui welcomes Ravi Kahlon, MLA for North Delta and British Columbia’s Housing Minister, to discuss transformative approaches to the housing crisis. Minister Kallon shares his political journey and the personal experiences fueling his commitment to driving positive change. They delve into the shift towards embracing density, the introducti…
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#41 - Lew Oliver: New Urbanism, Humane Design, Facades as Masks & Architectural Truth Bombs
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Lew Oliver is an Atlanta-based designer, urbanist and master planner, celebrated for advancing New Urbanism and designing whole towns with a focus on the pedestrian experience. He masterfully blends local values, vernacular, and climate considerations into his work, ensuring communities are not only livable but also aesthetically enriching. His not…
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This week our new Executive Producer, Audrey, delved into Romanticism and the Sublime, starting with history of the movement and then discussing Neo-Romanticism in art. Ending with an idea of a 'New Romanticim' in contemporary Australian art, one that you can take with you on your upcoming gallery visits. Artworks discussed in this segment were: Ca…
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Turning big ideas into reality is what CityChangers do. But what happens when, against the odds, you finally achieve your goal? What next? Nicholas Marchesi, of charity Orange Sky, launched the world’s first mobile laundry, helping Brisbane's homeless community to wash and dry their clothes. Then he discovered this served a very different purpose..…
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2024 Updates and the Power of Pausing to Connect
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Hi #SmartCommunity friends! I sat down with my podcast producer Ellen to record a little update episode, there is a little bit of Smart Community Podcast news and we want to keep you in the loop! We are planning to take an extended break from the podcast because unfortunately my Mum is very unwell. So I'm going to take some time to be with her and …
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With declining rates of civic engagement across cities around the world, Kiel, in Germany, is taking a unique approach to improving participation – by putting it on wheels! The Tiny Townhall is a world-first project that brings city government out of the stuffy buildings we’re used to and back to the citizens. And, in a time when bigger is often be…
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Summer Series: The Neon Grid and Nighttime Economy in Smart Communities, with Samuel Austin
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Hi #SmartCommunity friends! Welcome to the Summer Series here on the Smart Community Podcast. As you know, we’re taking a little break from new content over the Australian summer holidays, and instead we are sharing the replays of a few of our all time favourite episodes. This week we’re sharing my interview with Samuel Austin from Episode 340, whi…
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#40 - Jonathan Weatherill: Teaching in Rome, Drawing, Moving towards Traditional Architecture Without the Myths
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Jonathan Weatherill is an architect based in Rome and professor at Notre Dame University. He graduated at the Architectural Association in London over 25 years ago and now runs his own practice. He has collaborated with the 2014 Driehaus laureate Pier Carlo Bontempi for a long time, leading to a shift in his practice from Modernism to Traditional a…
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What links pedestrian crossings in Chicago, USA, with the Sydney Opera House in Australia? Sascha Haselmayer’s surprising story provides an unexpected answer to this unusual question, and it’s led to positive change in more than 130 cities around the world. In this episode, Sascha explains why we should embrace red tape and presents a case for taki…
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Facing their fair share of challenges on the ground (from housing shortages to climate change) cities like Rotterdam are looking skywards for solutions – to the rooftops. There’s plenty of opportunity but also headwinds on the horizon. For one thing: where most roofs are owned by private citizens, how do you convince more people to look up and see …
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Summer Series: Pioneering Intelligent Transport Systems in Uganda, with Michael Wanyama
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Hi #smartcommunity friends! Welcome to the Summer Series here on the Smart Community Podcast. As you know, we’re taking a little break from new content over the Australian summer holidays, and instead we are sharing the replays of a few of our all time favourite episodes. This week we’re sharing my interview with Michael Wanyama from Episode 335, w…
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Summer Series: Smart Communities on Earth and in Space, with Dr. Michaela Musilova
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Hi #smartcommunity friends! Welcome back to the Summer Series here on the Smart Community Podcast. As you know, we’re taking a little break from new content over the Australian summer holidays, and instead we are sharing the replays of a few of our all time favourite episodes. This week we’re sharing my interview with Dr. Michaela Musilova from Epi…
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