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This bonus episode features a 12-minute excerpt from a 2021 interview with Professor Michael Parkinson, renowned for his work on urban regeneration, particularly in Liverpool. He discusses Liverpool's transformation from a city on the brink of collapse in the 1980s to one experiencing a significant Renaissance. He is interviewed by the late author and Guardian journalist, Henry McDonald.
Key factors for this recovery include:
A shift in local leadership and collaboration between the private and public sectors.Substantial investment from the European Union and key private investors like the Duke of Westminster.The success of initiatives such as Liverpool One and the European Capital of Culture in 2008.Ongoing challenges in economic and social issues, particularly in neglected areas like North Liverpool.Exciting new developments, including Everton FC's plans for a sustainable stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, aiming to revitalize the city’s northern waterfront.Key QuotesOn Liverpool's Transformation:
“Liverpool went from this culture of failure to a culture of success.”“Europe took a risk and invested in Liverpool when national government wouldn’t.”On Collaboration and Leadership:
“30 years ago, the private and public sectors were at odds. That’s changed. Now we have much more of a partnership approach.”“The Labour government’s investment in cities, along with local leadership, helped reposition Liverpool.”On European Influence:
“European money in the 1990s made the difference between Liverpool collapsing and recovering – €1.4 billion over 10 years.”On Everton’s Stadium Development:
“It would transform the worst part of the waterfront… and tie that part of the city back into the city center.”“This project is hugely symbolic, culturally significant, and exciting.”On Liverpool’s Resilience:
“It had a very good boom and quite a decent bust. Liverpool didn’t go as far backwards during austerity as it could have.”On the Waterfront:
“The river made Liverpool the richest city in the greatest empire outside of London. And for 30 years, Liverpool turned its back to it.”Closing Reflection:
“Liverpool is the pool of life. It makes to live.” – Carl Jung.These quotes and insights highlight Liverpool's unique journey of urban regeneration and the blend of local, national, and European efforts that fueled its recovery.
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“The real problems we have with cavity wall insulation is it’s been installed in the wrong geographical locations, in the wrong type of housing stock.” – Damian Mercer
LISTEN BELOW TO THIS EPISODERelease Date: Tuesday, 3rd December 2024Cavity Wall Insulation: A Hidden Crisis – Uncovering the Risks and RemediesIn this eye-opening episode of Constructive Voices, host Steve Randall dives into the critical topic of cavity wall insulation with expert guest Damian Mercer, Owner and Director of Cavity Extraction Ltd.
While cavity wall insulation is designed to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints, its failure in millions of UK homes has led to a cascade of issues including damp, mould, financial strain, and even health problems. Could this be a national scandal in the making?
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“Nature has a calming and restorative effect. It can improve our mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being—it’s not just a luxury; it’s essential.”– Dr Nadina Galle
Welcome to the fourth episode in our special series featuring Nadina Galle, ecological engineer, 2024 National Geographic Explorer, and author of The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet.In the final part of this enlightening series, Jackie de Burca sits down with ecological engineer and National Geographic Explorer Nadina Galle to discuss the transformative power of nature. From understanding how nature heals our bodies and minds to innovative practices like forest therapy and urban tree email campaigns, this episode is brimming with hope and practical insights.
Nadina shares deeply personal reflections from her book, The Nature of Our Cities, and offers actionable advice on integrating nature into our daily lives—whether in sprawling forests or a single urban tree. For anyone seeking inspiration and strategies to reconnect with nature, this is a must-listen episode.
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“Urban nature isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a daily lifeline for biodiversity, human health, and climate resilience.” – Host, Jackie De Burca
Welcome to the third episode in our special series featuring Nadina Galle, ecological engineer, 2024 National Geographic Explorer, and author of The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet.
Host Jackie De Burca dives into the tools, technologies, and innovations reshaping urban nature management, inspired by Nadina’s book.
In this episode, Nadina tackles:
Plant Blindness: What it is, why it’s a societal trend, and how it impacts our connection to nature.Insect Biodiversity Monitoring: Discover the groundbreaking Diopsis camera, designed to measure flying insect populations and assess biodiversity interventions.Urban Evolution: Mind-blowing examples of species adapting to city life, from lighter-colored snails to higher-pitched crows and city-savvy squirrels.Citizen Science at Scale: Learn about global movements like the City Nature Challenge and innovative apps like EarthSnap and Merlin, which empower everyday people to connect with and document urban biodiversity. -
In this engaging second installment with Nadina Galle, on Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca delves into the fascinating world of urban nature and environmental technology with Nadina, an ecological engineer and National Geographic explorer, widely recognised for her contributions to BBC Earth and National Geographic, and most recently, for her acclaimed book The Nature of Our Cities. This episode uncovers powerful insights into reimagining our urban spaces to foster harmony between human development and the natural world.
Together, Jackie and Nadina explore the concept of balance, inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine’s five elements, and its applications to urban ecology. They discuss the critical role of trees in cities, diving into the revolutionary technology of tree inventories, LIDAR mapping, and how tools like Tree Tracker are shaping modern urban forestry.
“We have gone too far towards the asphalt, the concrete, the built environment and we’ve strayed too far away from the natural environment.” – Dr. Nadina Galle
From the groundbreaking “Room for the River” initiative in the Netherlands to the visionary water management efforts of Chicago’s green infrastructure projects, this episode brings a global perspective on sustainable urban solutions.
Nadina and Jackie also tackle critical climate challenges, including wildfire prevention and innovations like BurnBot and Watch Duty, alongside nature-inspired strategies to prevent urban flooding.
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The Nature of Our Cities with Dr. Nadina Galle, Part 1
Main feature photo credit: Roger Cremers for National Geographic
In this thought-provoking episode of Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca sits down with the remarkable Dr. Nadina Galle, a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, technologist, and the author of the new book The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet. Dr. Galle brings her expertise to discuss the essential and evolving relationship between humanity, technology, and the environment.
“I argue that nature is the fifth pillar of health, alongside sleep, diet, exercise, and stress reduction.” – Dr. Nadina Galle
Jackie introduces the stormy setting of Spain, which perfectly segues into Dr. Galle’s groundbreaking work. Dr. Galle passionately shares her insights on the disconnect between people and nature in urban environments, describing how modern living has t...
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“The goal has always been, how can we do this better? We live in Colorado with extreme weather, and the world was working off a European greenhouse model that didn’t fit our environment. So, we set out to design something different, something more efficient and resilient.” – Josh Holleb, Ceres
Welcome to Constructive Voices, the podcast that brings you inspiring stories from the construction and sustainability worlds. I’m Jackie De Burca, your host, and today we have an intriguing episode for you. Joining me is Josh Holleb, a Systems Integration Specialist and co-founder of Ceres Greenhouse Solutions.In this episode, Josh takes us on a journey through his experience in greenhouse design, sustainability, and his vision for a more efficient, sustainable world through innovative agriculture.
Ceres Kites Nest
Guest Introduction: Our guest, Josh Holleb, joins us all the way from Boulder, Colorado, where he’s up at what I fondly call “ridiculous o’clock” to be part of today’s discussion. Josh has a fascinating background, from working on organic farms to pioneering efficient greenhouse solutions.
Want to increase your brand's visibility? Click through. We have plans to suit you.His mission is clear: to design greenhouses that not only grow plants but also create a healthier future for us all. He’ll be sharing insights about his journey, the evolution of his company, and the pivotal role Ceres Greenhouse Solutio...
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In this episode of Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca sits down with Angus Cunningham, one of the directors of Scotscape, to explore the transformative power of urban greening.
Angus shares his journey from the Scottish countryside to the bustling city of London, where he found his calling in bringing nature back into urban spaces. From his early days as an apprentice gardener to leading Scotscape’s mission of making cities greener and more sustainable, Angus discusses the challenges, innovations, and his passion for nature.
"70% of the population will be living in cities by 2050. If we don’t bring biodiversity into cities, they’ll be unhealthy places to live. We need to create cities that are more sustainable, healthier, and green."
Angus delves into Scotscape’s evolution, explaining how the company now specialises in installing urban greening systems, including their pioneering living walls and living pillars. He reflects on the importance of biodiversity, the future of cities, and how small innovations can create big impacts in urban environments.
Living Walls Carnaby Street, London
He also shares personal anecdotes about his love for the outdoors, his entrepreneurial journey, and his vision for a future where cities are covered in verdant greenery.
Key Takeaways:
Angus Cunningham shares his personal and professional story, from his rural upbringing in Scotland to running a thriving urban greening business in London.An in-depth look at Scotscape’s innovative projects, including living walls and living pillars, designed to bring nature into the most unexpected urban environments.Angus’ insights into the importance of biodiversity, climate change, and how urban greening can play a critical role in creating healthier cities.His vision for the future: a world where cities are draped in greenery, with urban environments designed to nurture both people and nature.Topics Discussed:
The journey from Scotland to London: Angus’ love for nature and how it shaped his career.Scotscape’s 40-year journey and evolution into urban greening specialists.The importance of biodiversity and the role of plants in tackling climate change.Scotscape’s innovative living walls and living pillars, bringing greenery to the vertical spaces of cities.The challenges of running a business in the green industry and the importance of sustainability in -
In this episode of Constructive Voices, Jackie De Burca sits down with Shashin Mishra, VP of EMEA at AI Dash, to dive into the world of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and how AI and satellite technology are reshaping sustainability efforts. From the challenges of biodiversity restoration to the role of the construction industry, Shashin shares insights on the cutting-edge tools helping developers and ecologists achieve long-term sustainability goals.
Discover how AI Dash’s innovative BNG AI tool is supporting the UK's push for biodiversity restoration by 2030, and how it can help developers, planners, and ecologists meet the new 10% net gain requirement. Whether you’re in construction or environmental planning, this episode will offer valuable takeaways on harnessing technology to address the pressing issue of biodiversity loss.
Tune in to learn how AI Dash is changing the game for nature preservation and climate action!
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As an agency or an in-house marketer, you know that building authority, by creating content that stands out from the crowd is essential to attract links and the best brand image.
At Constructive Voices, we have been doing that since our birth in 2021. We have interviewed some amazing guests and continue to do so. We have a team with decades of media production, radio, and podcasting experience. This team is now at your disposal.
From as little as £150 per month based on an annual contract, we can produce short 5-8 minute* productions for your clients or your own brand. These may be podcast conversations about your latest blog news topics, case studies, interviews with team members, and so much more. Check out the Use Cases section below.
Or you can decide to go for the yearly package, which costs £1,650 (11 months cost), and plan content for different durations, such as 15 minutes each quarter.
Of course, these packages are designed to make this form of content more accessible. We can work with you on whatever brief you may have.
This example is:
Interview By A Team MemberListen to how well it can work when a colleague does the interview. Phil Carpenter also lives and breathes Alice Technologies. So he was the perfect choice to talk to his CEO, René Morkos.
At the beginning of this snippet, you will hear some of the Constructive Voices team bantering about the subject matter.
The entire interview was around 20 minutes in duration. Spotlight sessions can be set up to be as short as 5 minutes or as long as you need.
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The Women in Engineering podcast series by Constructive Voices celebrates the powerful contributions of women in a field traditionally dominated by men. Through this series, listeners are invited into candid conversations with trailblazing female engineers who share their stories, challenges, and achievements. From overcoming gender bias to leading innovative projects, each episode highlights the unique experiences and expertise these women bring to the world of engineering.
In addition to personal narratives, the series delves into broader industry topics, including the importance of diversity in engineering, mentorship, and fostering environments that encourage female participation in STEM fields. Each episode not only serves as an inspiration for aspiring engineers but also acts as a call to action for industries to embrace a more inclusive future.
By giving a platform to these voices, Constructive Voices aims to amplify the critical role women play in shaping the built environment. This series is not just for those in engineering but for anyone interested in learning how inclusivity can drive innovation and progress in one of the world’s most crucial industries.
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Neal Maxwell, who has worked in the construction industry for more than 30 years, co-founded the non-profit organisation, Changing Streams, in 2018, after a life-changing trip to the Arctic.
Now in 2024, Neal Maxwell, and his team and partners, the University of Liverpool, are launching their new organisation, Changing Materials.
Tune into Neal now to hear all about Cbanging Materials - an exciting initiative that aims to promote sustainable materials while breaking down silos.
Changing Materials is a platform designed to aid architects, designers, and specifiers in transitioning towards sustainable construction by reducing the industry's reliance on plastic.
With a comprehensive database, it offers solutions like recycled plastic, low- or zero plastic content materials, and alternatives such as metal and timber.
Developed in partnership with the University of Liverpool, the platform promotes the use of eco-friendly materials while aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. It also provides a space for manufacturers to showcase their sustainable products.
Learn more at Changing Materials.
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How AI Can Really Build Stanford Professor and ALICE Technologies, CEO René Morkos, is an introduction to the main episode that introduced ALICE Technologies, to our audience, in 2021.
This is a short taster for the full episode and also an example of a certain podcast style.
For more information, go to: https://constructive-voices.com/stories/
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Alexandra Steed Podcast: Part 4The ground-breaking author, Alexandra Steed, talks to Jackie De Burca in a series of four podcast episodes that delve deeply into her brilliant book. She has also generously agreed to give away 10 copies of her book. Be sure to enter above.Listen to Part 1 on this page, Part 2 here and Part 3 on this page
In the final episode of the Constructive Voices series, host Jackie De Burca talks with Alexandra Steed, a landscape architect and author. Alexandra begins by discussing the significance of land ownership and its deep connections to wealth, power, race, and class. She highlights the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few, like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, who hold more land than entire indigenous nations, and how this contributes to ongoing inequality and environmental degradation.
The conversation explores the idea of “humble governance,” advocating for a shift in mindset to recognise humanity’s dependence on the Earth’s natural systems and the need to manage land with humility and respect. Alexandra suggests that individuals can contribute to environmental change by becoming more informed, advocating for nature, supporting sustainable agricultural practices, and protecting local ecosystems.
Jackie and Alexandra also touch on international examples, such as Bhutan’s “green schools” initiative and Alula in Saudi Arabia, showing how integrating nature into education and development can be successful. The episode ends with a call to action, emphasising that everyone can play a role in fostering a sustainable future, no matter how small their actions may seem.
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In this episode of Constructive Voices, we dive deep into the world of resilient design and urban planning with Lisa Lattu, a pioneering "plangineer" who blends the best of civil engineering and urban planning to create sustainable, disaster-resistant communities. Hosted by Jackie De Burca, the conversation explores the critical importance of resilient infrastructure, particularly in cities prone to natural disasters like hurricanes, and addresses the challenges of maintaining and upgrading ageing infrastructure to meet current and future needs.
Lisa shares her extensive experience working with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., highlighting the innovative strategies and technologies her company employs to improve urban resilience. She discusses the complexities of designing infrastructure that can withstand both anticipated natural disasters and unexpected events, emphasising the interconnectedness of systems such as water, power, and mobility. Through real-world examples, including ongoing projects on the Texas Gulf Coast and in Houston, Lisa illustrates how comprehensive planning and community involvement can enhance disaster preparedness and recovery efforts.
Listeners will gain insight into the evolving field of resilient urban design, from data modelling and planning for multiple future scenarios to leveraging both new and time-tested techniques, such as rainwater harvesting and flexible infrastructure use. Lisa also touches on the critical role of community engagement, coordinated efforts between government and private sectors, and the importance of funding and policy in driving sustainable development. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of urban planning, sustainability, and the ways communities can adapt and thrive in the face of growing environmental challenges.
About Lisa LattuLisa Lattu, PE, AICP, Associate, Senior Project Manager
Master in Urban Planning, Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University
Lisa Lattu has over 27 years of experience in strategic and resilient long-range infrastructure engineering and planning. She has served in public and private roles throughout Texas, leading groundwater reduction and conservation, surface water operational system modelling and analysis, and utility operations.
This rich experience has developed a unique and valuable knowledge of state and local infrastructure requirements through experience in municipal street and roadway improvement projects, water/wastewater designs, utilities coordination and relocations, hydraulic modelling, and master planning.
Lisa is an experienced leader from small teams of 5-10 engineers to direct responsibility operations, maintenance, and capital improvements for a 200 million gallon per day water purification facility for the City of Houston.
Lisa specialises in water and wastewater master planning and impact fee projects including hydraulic modelling, water supply and contract negotiations, stakeholder coordination, project financing, policymaking, and water purification plant management and ad...
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Under 5 Minutes ListenNewsflash: Wetlands Restoration & Recording Breaking TemperaturesMossy Earth and their local partners have restored a 40 hectare meadow wetland!
In cooperation with their local partners, the BROZ Nature Conservation Association, who were also partners on the Flooded Forest project, they have flooded another wetland along the Danube! This time the project focused on a different type of wetland habitat – wet meadows – that have become a rare sight in these lowlands.
Not long ago, wetlands were such an integral part of life in the Danube lowlands that locals would use over 20 expressions to describe the different types of wetland habitats!
Over the course of the 20th century, much of the area got drained to make space for agriculture and the extent of wetlands shrank to a fraction of their former size. So when an opportunity came up to support the restoration of this rare wetland type, they were all in!
The newly restored wetland is fed by the Ciliz Brook, a 33.5 kilometre waterline that once connected to the Danube River. The brook itself used to lack water on most of its course because a number of drainage channels were built on its course.
Thanks to a series of interventions done by BROZ Nature Conservation Association since 2016, which included the reconstruction of several poorly built drainage channels, water has returned to the brook in its full length.
Until now, the brook had a dead end in which the water would accumulate and spill over into another drainage channel. They decided to harness the potential of this water and create another ending to the brook – a 400 metre channel.
Now the water, that would otherwise be lost from the landscape, feeds a 40 hectare disused field over-ridden with invasive plants. Over time as the new water-logged conditions push back the invasives, a wet sedge meadow will form here, providing much needed refuge for species such as the endemic Pannonian root vole, newts and amphibians and migratory bird species.
The last “dig” as they opened the new outflow was a moment of celebration and the story even made it to the national news! And now it is also featured on the Constructive Voices Newsflash.
Photos and words from original post by Mossy Earth
Record Breaking Temperatures -
In this newsflash, 5-minute episode, you will learn about why scientists are warning that the Pantanal, often described as a "paradise on Earth," could be irreversibly damaged by the Hidrovia project. The delicate balance that sustains this unique ecosystem is already under pressure from climate change, deforestation, and other human activities.
Learn about how one of our longterm collaborators is once again on one of the UK's most important award lists.
Want to be featured regularly, check this out: https://constructive-voices.com/action-leaders/
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Alexandra Steed Podcast: Part 3The ground-breaking author, Alexandra Steed, talks to Jackie De Burca in a series of four podcast episodes that delve deeply into her brilliant book. She has also generously agreed to give away 10 copies of her book. Be sure to enter below.Listen to Part 1 on this page and Part 2 here.
In Part 3, host, Jackie De Burca, and guest Alexandra Stead, a landscape architect and urban designer, discuss Part Three of Stead’s book, which examines historical city locations, streetscapes, peri-urban landscapes, and case studies from England.
Stead explains the concept of landscape, highlighting its multifaceted definitions and the design principles essential for protecting and restoring the planet. She emphasises the importance of integrating nature into urban environments and using natural processes in design to create sustainable cities. Stead and Jackie also discuss the consequences of urban development that disregards natural processes, using London’s historical development as an example.
The episode explores innovative approaches like rethinking streetscapes and designing with nature in mind, citing successful projects in Vancouver and the concept of sponge cities in China. The discussion extends to peri-urban landscapes, the ecological footprint, and the necessity of shifting from exploitation to preservation and stewardship of natural resources.
In the latter part of the episode, Stead talks about the crucial roles of soil, water, and air in sustaining life and the benefits of regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices. She concludes by advocating for a holistic approach to design that considers the needs of the entire community of life, not just humans, and emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings in creating a sustainable future.
Joanne Proft, Associate Director, Community Planning | Campus + Community Planning at The University of British Columbia said:
“Alexandra Steed offers a compelling, well-researched and passionate argument for securing a future for life on earth – by making a fundamental shift in our relationship to nature, from a selfie-oriented portrait perspective to a more all-encompassing landscape perspective.” -
In this short 17 minute episode, you will discover how this visual biodiversity net gain tool can help you do your BNG calculations and planning efficiently. Tune into Panu Pasanen as he talks to Jackie De Burca, about this BNG tool which enables you to work without an ecologist for some phases of your BNG work.
About Panu PasanenPanu Pasanen is the CEO and sole founder of One Click LCA, the world’s leading software platform for life-cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental product declaration (EPD) in construction & manufacturing.
He is an LCA, embodied carbon, and life-cycle costing (LCC) expert and entrepreneur, with a specialisation in the use of LCA and LCC for green building systems globally (primarily across Europe, North America, and Asia). Panu is a life-long advocate for the decarbonisation of the built environment.
He is driven to scale carbon performance optimisation with easy, automated, and affordable LCA. He is focused on developing One Click LCA to be the most user-friendly, automated, and robust LCA and LCC software platform on the market.
In addition to embodied carbon, LCA, and LCC, he works on Green Building credits for BREEAM, LEED, DGNB, CEEQUAL, and Energie-Carbone, among other things. He also collaborates with government bodies and large corporations to draft regulations and policies to achieve cost-effective and durable carbon reduction. He is also interested in sustainability metrics and standards — as well as sustainability software innovation.
Learn more about Panu’s work with One Click LCA here: www.oneclicklca.co
About One Click LCA:One Click LCA is a Helsinki-based tech company decarbonising construction and manufacturing with world-leading, easy-to-use, and automated life-cycle assessment (LCA) to calculate and reduce the environmental impacts of building, infrastructure, and renovation projects — as well as construction and other manufactured products. It also enables manufacturers to generate and publish third-party verified EPDs, and allows assessment of circularity, life-cycle cost, and soon also biodiversity.
One Click LCA is used in +170 countries. Its decarbonisation platform includes a unique global database wit...
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Part 2: The ground-breaking author, Alexandra Steed, talks to Jackie De Burca in a series of four podcast episodes that delve deeply into her brilliant book. She has also generously agreed to give away 10 copies of her book.
The first episode offers great insights into the concepts you will discover in this book. The author explains some of the core principles that are featured. De Burca speaks to her in detail about Part 1 of Portrait to Landscape-A Landscape Strategy To Reframe Our Future.
There is a wealth to learn and discuss about this ground-breaking book. So every podcast episode explores one of the four parts of this trailblazing publication.
Joanne Proft, Associate Director, Community Planning | Campus + Community Planning at The University of British Columbia, said:
“Alexandra Steed offers a compelling, well-researched and passionate argument for securing a future for life on earth – by making a fundamental shift in our relationship to nature, from a selfie-oriented portrait perspective to a more all-encompassing landscape perspective.”About Portrait to Landscape: A Landscape Strategy to Reframe Our Future:Portrait to Landscape: A Landscape Strategy to Reframe Our Future is a ground-breaking work authored by a renowned landscape architect. It challenges us to fundamentally alter our relationship with the natural world, presenting a holistic approach to healing the earth by addressing both symptoms and underlying causes of environmental degradation.
Using the metaphor of a narrow, self-focused portrait versus a wide-angle landscape view, the book sheds light on the profound impact of our limited perspective. It offers practical strategies for policymakers, activists, and individuals to protect and restore landscapes, emphasising collaboration and long-term stewardship.
This thought-provoking book inspires readers to re-evaluate their connection with nature and engage in the movement towards a more sustainable future, making it a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of our place in the world and how we can inhabit it with integrity.
Click through to buy the book on Amazon. - Visa fler
