The Past and Future of Sustainable Communities with Peter Calthorpe, Architect & Urban Designer

The Past and Future of Sustainable Communities with Peter Calthorpe, Architect & Urban Designer

Author: KSQD 90.7 FM in Santa Cruz & KSQD.org March 15, 2026 Duration: 54:04

The world’s cities are big and getting bigger.  By 2050, 80% of the world’s people will live in cities. Can cities be made sustainable?  Who is thinking about this? Join host Ronnie Lipschutz for a conversation with Peter Calthorpe, architect and urban designer with HDR, a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Over the past 45 years, Calthorpe has been a primary advocate for sustainable communities, the New Urbanism and transit-oriented development. His most recent publications are "Ending Global Sprawl: Urban Standards for Sustainable and Resilient Development" for the World Bank and “Grand Boulevards and the AB2011 Revolution: Reinventing the Strip to Solve California’s Housing Crisis.”


Every other Sunday, Sustainability Now! on KSQD.org offers a thoughtful space to explore the complex questions facing our planet. Born from the community airwaves of KSQD 90.7 FM in Santa Cruz, this podcast connects the local environmental pulse of Northern California to global conversations. Since its launch in 2019 by host Ronnie Lipschutz, the program has built a reputation for deep, engaging dialogues that refuse to simplify the challenges at hand. You’ll hear from a compelling mix of voices-field researchers detailing ecological shifts, philosophers examining our relationship with nature, community organizers building practical solutions, and authors framing new narratives for society. The discussions naturally weave between science, culture, and policy, reflecting a belief that true sustainability is as much about philosophy and community as it is about data. This isn’t about alarmism or easy answers; it’s about informed, nuanced exploration. Tuning in means listening to people who are actively thinking, studying, and working on the front lines of change. Each episode of this KSQD podcast provides substance and perspective, whether the topic is regenerative agriculture, conservation ethics, technological innovation, or social justice. It’s for anyone ready to move beyond headlines and engage with the ideas and actions shaping a viable future.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

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