Best Natalie Ikhrata Podcasts (2024)

1
Conversations from Riverside: A Live Episode from the APA California State Conference 44:44

23d ago44:44

44:44

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! We had the privilege of interviewing three incredible planners from the City and County of San Bernardino, plus a special appearance from the APA California President, live from the APA 2024 California State Conference in Riverside! In this episode, we dive into their unique roles in local government, w…

1
Designing Exclusion: Hostile Architecture with Jonathan Pacheco Bell 54:07

1M ago54:07

54:07

In this episode of Urban Planning is Not Boring, we sit down with Senior Embedded Planner at 4Leaf Inc., Jonathan Pacheco Bell, to discuss hostile architecture. Jonathan recently appeared on the Decoder Ring and KJZZ NPR Phoenix podcasts where he discussed the inequities in public spaces caused by hostile architecture. He defines hostile architectu…

1
Navigating Early Careers: Insights from APA 50:50

2M ago50:50

50:50

In this episode of Urban Planning is Not Boring, Sam and Nat are joined by three representatives from various APA California chapters who share their experiences as young and emerging planners and discuss opportunities at the upcoming APA California Conference: Tony Lopez, APA Inland Empire Kyle Wilson, APA Orange County Brittany Montano, APA Los A…

1
WE ARE SO BACK! 26:26

2M ago26:26

26:26

After a few months off, we're excited to say that Urban Planning is Not Boring is back! In this episode, we're catching up on what we've been up to during the break and sharing some personal updates. Don't worry—your favorite urban planning content is just around the corner. Stay tuned for more deep dives into the world of urban planning in upcomin…

1
Reimagining Downtowns in a Post-Pandemic World 26:32

8M ago26:32

26:32

Welcome back to "Urban Planning is Not Boring"! We'll examine the historical context of downtown "ghost towns" and how this phenomenon is not entirely new but rather a cyclical pattern in urban development. From white flight to suburban sprawl, we'll trace the trajectory of downtowns over the last few decades, from decline to revival and now to unc…

1
VMT 101: Understanding the Basics of Vehicle Miles Traveled 38:34

9M ago38:34

38:34

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! In this episode, we dive into an acronym many of you are likely familiar with, VMT. We start by breaking down the concept of VMT - vehicle miles traveled - which essentially measures the total distance traveled by vehicles, typically on a daily basis. To illustrate, imagine driving 20 miles to work, 5 m…

1
Beyond Home and Work: Exploring the Importance of Third Places 44:20

9M ago44:20

44:20

Welcome back to Urban Planning Is Not Boring! In today's episode, we delve into the concept of third places – those vital social hubs that bridge the gap between our homes (first places) and workplaces (second places). Join us as we uncover why third places are essential to fostering vibrant, connected communities. American sociologist Ray Oldenbur…

1
Spotlight on APA Inland Empire 42:47

10M ago42:47

42:47

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! In this episode, Nat and Sam sit down with representatives from the American Planning Association (APA) Inland Empire Section to dive into the excitement surrounding the upcoming APA California Conference in Riverside from September 28th through October 1st. Discover the purpose and vision behind APA an…

1
Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) East to West with Four Degrees to the Streets 1:06:07

10M ago1:06:07

1:06:07

Happy New Year! Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! We are back from our break with a very exciting episode! In this joint episode, the Four Degrees to the Streets and Urban Planning is Not Boring podcasts come together to discuss Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). Hosts Nimo, Jas, Sam, and Nat use their expertise and experience living i…

1
Challenges and Controversies: The Homelessness Crisis and Supreme Court Appeal 27:12

1y ago27:12

27:12

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! In this episode, we delve into the bipartisan alliance formed to address a growing crisis: homelessness. Inspired by a recent New York Times article titled "In Rare Alliance, Democrats and Republicans Seek Legal Power to Clear Homeless Camps," we explore the pressing issue of homelessness in the United …

1
A Brief Introduction to Affordable Housing 36:34

1y ago36:34

36:34

Welcome back to "Urban Planning is Not Boring." In this special episode, we're revisiting an essential topic that we recently covered in our class for Abundant Housing LA: "Introduction to Affordable Housing." Affordable housing is a pressing issue in cities worldwide, and it's crucial to understand the fundamentals of this complex and multifaceted…

1
Small Steps, Big Impact: Incremental Development 57:21

1y ago57:21

57:21

Cities across the United States have opted to implement policy for community development gradually, rather than undergoing expedited construction and housing reform. Brooklyn Heights, Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, and Austin are just a few names you might recognize of cities undertaking something called incremental housing development. The ter…

1
Discover civicX with co:census 29:31

1y ago29:31

29:31

Welcome to another episode of Urban Planning is Not Boring. Today, we have the privilege of exploring the world of community engagement, design, and planning with some remarkable guests from co:census. They're here to discuss an exciting new product, civicX, which promises to transform public feedback into meaningful insights in real-time. Joining …

1
Exploring Equitable Zoning Reform with Urban Land Institute 45:09

1y ago45:09

45:09

Welcome to another episode of Urban Planning is Not Boring. Today, we're diving deep into zoning reform and its implications for our cities. We're thrilled to have special guests from the Urban Land Institute (ULI) with us to discuss their latest groundbreaking report titled "Reshaping the City: Zoning for a More Equitable, Resilient, and Sustainab…

1
Bridging Architecture and Planning with Shiva Ghomi 25:30

1y ago25:30

25:30

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that delves into the dynamic interplay between architecture and planning. In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Shiva Ghomi, Director of Planning and Community Development at Aufgang, an esteemed architecture and planning firm. Shiva's unique background as both an architect …

1
Unpacking MOVE Culver City's Controversy 23:25

1y ago23:25

23:25

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that delves into the exciting world of urban planning. In this episode, we take a close look at MOVE Culver City, a city-led initiative that envisions reimagining streets as public spaces, prioritizing efficient and safe mobility options for everyone. Join us as we explore the project's goal…

1
Catching up with Sam and Nat 47:51

1+ y ago47:51

47:51

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! After our mini 'summer break', we're excited to bring you a special episode titled "Catching up with Nat and Sam." In this episode, your hosts Natalie and Sam reconnect and share their experiences adjusting to post-grad life. Natalie kicks things off by discussing her transition into the working world. …

1
Intersections of Design and Planning with Shruti Shankar 35:39

1+ y ago35:39

35:39

Welcome to Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that explores the fascinating world of urban design and planning. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Shruti Shankar, the urban design director at Studio One Eleven, a renowned interdisciplinary architecture, interiors, urban planning, and landscape architecture practice based in Long Beach,…

1
Do We Need to Develop More Market Rate Housing? Exploring the Concept of Filtering 31:29

1+ y ago31:29

31:29

Welcome to Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that explores the fascinating world of urban planning. In this episode, join your hosts Sam and Nat as they dive into a crucial concept in housing production: filtering. They explore why it is essential to produce housing at every income level, not solely focusing on affordable housing. Sam and N…

1
Sitting down with Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE) 37:11

1+ y ago37:11

37:11

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that explores the fascinating world of urban planning. In this episode, we are joined by Maria Patiño Gutierrez, Director of Policy and Research at Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE), a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, California that works to build power and community …

1
Let’s Learn About Grief Urbanism with Ryy Dickerson 41:22

1+ y ago41:22

41:22

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that explores the fascinating world of urban planning. In this episode, we sit down with Ryy Dickerson, an urban planner from Providence, Rhode Island who recently wrote his thesis entitled "Grief Urbanism: Placemaking, Surrealism, and Freedom Inside Protest Camps." Ryy's work explores the r…

1
Our Streets Action Committee: Advocating for Safe and Accessible Streets in Los Angeles 26:53

1+ y ago26:53

26:53

Happy National Bike Month and welcome back to "Urban Planning is Not Boring," the podcast that explores the fascinating world of urban planning. In this episode, we are joined by representatives from three non-profit organizations based in Los Angeles, California: Eli Kaufman from Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (BikeLA), John Yi from Los Ange…

1
APA National President Angela Brooks Sits Down with UPINB 55:01

1+ y ago55:01

55:01

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring!! In this episode, we are joined by Angela Brooks, the new national president of the American Planning Association National organization. We are SO excited to have her on the show (we were fangirling a little). In this interview, Brooks shares how she came to find planning, her insights on the most press…

1
The Intersection of Content Creation and Urban Planning 27:33

1+ y ago27:33

27:33

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring, the podcast that explores the fascinating world of urban planning. This episode, Sam and Nat sit down with Brittany Simmons, an urban planner and creative based in New York City, to discuss her journey into creating urban planning content and how it can help raise awareness about the importance of city …

1
The Importance of People-Centered Planning with RAYO Planning 41:01

1+ y ago41:01

41:01

Attention all urban planning enthusiasts! In the latest episode of "Urban Planning Is Not Boring," co-hosts Sam and Nat sit down with Victoria Ferrell Ortiz, Executive Director, and Evelyn Mayo, Co-Chair, of RAYO Planning, a non-profit planning firm based in Texas. RAYO Planning is a 501(c)3 urban planning nonprofit that is committed to closing the…

1
The Finale of the USC MUP Program: Capstone 45:26

1+ y ago45:26

45:26

Sam and Nat sit down to discuss all things Capstone! With graduation right around the corner, the capstone project is a pivotal element of the MUP graduate program at USC. This episode dives into the project’s components and all the ups and downs Sam and Nat faced during the process of writing their reports!…

1
Disaster Planning and Community Engagement with Dr. Santina Contreras 47:37

1+ y ago47:37

47:37

This week, we are so lucky to have Dr. Santina Contreras a researcher and adjunct professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy. Santina's work focuses largely on environmental justice, disaster planning, and community engagement. With a background in structural engineering, Dr. Contreras has a unique subset of skills in the planning field, an…

1
Gendered Experiences on Transit with Meghna Khanna 43:05

1+ y ago43:05

43:05

"The role of transit in shaping urban form is as important as its role in meeting transportation needs." - Meghna Khanna In this episode, Sam and Nat chat with the amazing Meghna Khanna, a Senior Director at Los Angeles Metro. After seeing Meghna's keynote address at the APA Los Angeles Awards Ceremony, we knew that we wanted her to come on the pod…

1
Let's talk about Placemaking with Dee Powell 44:08

1+ y ago44:08

44:08

Desiree (Dee) Powell does it ALL! From working with full-time with Congress for the New Urbanism, starting her own planning and placemaking group Do Right By The Streets (DRBTS), heading up the Sunny South Dallas Food Park activation and community space, and founding the Black Planner Collective, we quite frankly don’t know how she manages it all! …

1
Affordable Housing Development with Peter Enzminger 47:35

1+ y ago47:35

47:35

In today’s episode we are joined by Peter Enzminger to discuss all things affordable housing! This episode's discussion focuses on the different elements of affordable housing development and the ways in which it is both similar and different from market-rate housing development. Peter addresses many unique aspects involved in affordable housing de…

1
Sitting Down with Kristen Jeffers (@blackurbanist) 1:05:15

2y ago1:05:15

1:05:15

On this episode Sam and Nat sat down with Kristen Jeffers, MPA, who is an author, speaker, podcaster and analyst to talk about their experience in the field of Urban Planning. These experiences are what ultimately led to her authoring the book titled A Black Urbanist Journey to a Queer Feminist Future which will be published soon! Her insights are …

1
What is Critical Cartography? A Conversation with Dr. Annette Kim 35:41

2y ago35:41

35:41

Have you ever heard of critical cartography? After taking Dr. Kim’s course “Critical Cartography and Urban Spatial Ethnography”, Sam knew that we needed to have Dr. Kim on the show. In this course, USC students have the opportunity to consider mapping conventions and peoples, phenomena, patterns, behaviors, etc. that traditional mapping leaves out.…

1
You Asked, We Answered 56:45

2y ago56:45

56:45

Since starting this podcast, we’ve received a lot of questions about various urban planning topics, careers in the field, ways to be involved without a degree, and our personal journeys. We decided to answer some of these questions that we got on Instagram - everything from how we feel about expanding Fastrak lanes to if we ride bikes! Listen to fi…

1
Resolutions for the New Year! 55:06

2y ago55:06

55:06

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! We are starting off the year with an episode that is a bit different from our typical content - a lighthearted discussion about our resolutions for 2023 and our goals for the podcast this upcoming year. We have already started planning for amazing guests, new topics, and more listener/supporter engageme…

1
Let's talk about CEQA 46:53

2y ago46:53

46:53

If you live in California, you’ve probably heard of CEQA aka the California Environmental Quality Act. In this episode, Sam and Nat give a very high-level introduction of the CEQA process, its purpose, and opportunities for CEQA streamlining for various housing and multi-use developments. For more info: OPR CEQA 101 CEQA Portal Topic Paper - CEQA E…

1
Freeway Expansion: It Won’t Solve Traffic Congestion! 53:30

2y ago53:30

53:30

Sam and Nat provided you with some historical information regarding freeway development and eminent domain in the last episode. Today they are bringing you the topic of freeway expansion and why it does not work to solve traffic congestion. Referencing a report written by Transportation for America, Sam and Nat give you an overview of what induced …

1
What the Freeway (WTF): Eminent Domain and the Interstate Highway System 35:52

2y ago35:52

35:52

Sam and Nat are beginning a mini-series to discuss all things freeway! Today they begin the series by diving into the history of the interstate highway system and provide some information regarding eminent domain and the role it played in freeway development across the country. Sam also provides some insights on a related case study in Santa Monica…

1
What is Builder's Remedy? 54:30

2y ago54:30

54:30

Welcome back to another episode of Urban Planning is Not Boring! Sam and Nat took a couple of weeks off to focus on school, work, travel, etc., but we are BACK! In this episode, we are talking about a relatively new phenomenon - builder's remedy. If you're from LA or living in LA currently, you've probably heard of the 4500 proposed units of housin…

1
Career Coaching with Kristy Kilbourne 56:39

2y ago56:39

56:39

Sam and Natalie sit down with Kristy Kilbourne, also know as @passionateplanning on Instagram, to bring listeners advice on how to navigate a career in planning. Covering topics from what employers are looking for in a potential new hire to what a career in planning actually looks like, this episode is one you won’t want to miss! If you’re an aspir…

1
What is a Planning Commissioner?? A Conversation with Elizabeth Pino 37:38

2y ago37:38

37:38

Welcome back to episode 15 of Urban Planning is Not Boring! This week, we have a very special guest on the podcast! Elizabeth Pino, a community engagement specialist and Planning Commissioner for the City of Torrance, speaks with Sam about everything from her role as a commissioner, how to get involved in public service, her experiences as a woman …

1
The California Legislature Has Been Busy: A Policy Recap 57:33

2y ago57:33

57:33

Hello everyone! We are back after a brief break with our 14th episode! As you may know, the California State Legislature has been busy lately. Consequently, there has been a lot of legislation signed into law by Governor Newsom, with a lot of these new laws relating to and impacting our work as planners. Tune in for a conversation about a select fe…

1
Embedded Planning Praxis with Jonathan Pacheco Bell 52:35

2y ago52:35

52:35

Sam and Nat have the pleasure of sitting down with Jonathan Pacheco Bell to discuss his Embedded Planning Praxis. We discuss the importance of moving from community engagement to community partnership in planning, focusing on the premise that planning does not happen from our desks! We have to plan in the spaces and places within the community. Lis…

1
Public Housing and the Vote to Repeal Article 34 20:23

2y ago20:23

20:23

Join Sam as she discusses the history of public housing, how public housing came to have a poor reputation, and what repealing Article 34 would mean for California. Sources: The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein California voters to decide on repeal of anti-public housing measure in 2024 Lawmakers Push to Repeal Anti-Black Housing Law in California…

1
Applying to Grad School? We got you. 45:53

2y ago45:53

45:53

Are you considering applying to grad school? Have you ever wondered what the process to apply to grad school is like? Look no further! Natalie and Sam answer your questions about the grad school application process. We cover everything from the letter of rec process to how to make your application stand out! We hope you enjoy! For more information …

1
The Math is Mathing: Pro-Forma Analysis with Ben Feingold 46:16

2y ago46:16

46:16

Sam and Natalie are joined by industry professional and amazing USC adjunct Professor, Ben Feingold. What are pro-formas? Why are they used in development projects? Ben Feingold takes us through the financial analysis behind various project types and gives his own perspective on what makes a project so successful. Listen to learn more!…

1
Grad School Survival Guide 44:48

2y ago44:48

44:48

In this episode, Nat and Sam go through some of their biggest tips for starting grad school! From finding your favorite study spots to being intentional, we chat about tips specific to beginning a Master of Urban Planning and any graduate program, more generally. If you have comments, questions, thoughts, etc. about our first book club book The Col…

1
Dear Zoning, You Suck 58:56

2y ago58:56

58:56

We often associate historical discussions with the past which leads us to believe there are no impacts on the present. Sam and Natalie explain exactly why not everything historical is left in the past. The co-hosts dive into the history of zoning ordinances, exclusionary zoning, redlining, and unpack how these practices continue to impact folks tod…

1
Zoning, RHNA, SB9…oh my! 40:56

2+ y ago40:56

40:56

Welcome back to Urban Planning is Not Boring! In this episode, we cover a topic that was requested via our Instagram Stories: Zoning. We begin by defining what zoning is, what is taken into consideration within zoning codes, and discuss how the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) and California Senate Bill 9 (SB9) relate to zoning. EDITS: The …

1
L.A. Mobility Culture with Gia Chinchilla 41:10

2+ y ago41:10

41:10

In this episode of Urban Planning is Not Boring, Sam is joined by her friend Gia Chinchilla. Sam and Gia met through Climate Action LAb, a collective that Gia founded in 2019 that aims to inform & empower Angelenos to tackle environmental justice and climate-related issues in our city. Since working at CLAb together, Sam and Gia have bonded over th…

1
The 15-Minute City 38:19

2+ y ago38:19

38:19

Have you heard of the concept of the 15-minute city? Winner of the 2021 OBEL AWARD and coined by Professor Carlos Moreno at the Sorbonne in Paris, this framework shapes the city in a new way that is centered around accessibility by walking and biking, keeping immediate needs within a 15-minute walk or bike. In this episode, Sam and Nat chat about w…

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