S2:E3: Frederick Steiner: Designing Cities for Climate, Equity, and Resilience

S2:E3: Frederick Steiner: Designing Cities for Climate, Equity, and Resilience

Author: Gevorg Ghazaryan June 13, 2025 Duration: 26:26

In this episode of Talking Environment, Gevorg Ghazaryan speaks with Dr. Frederick Steiner, Dean of the Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania, about the urgent role of ecological planning in shaping cities of the future.

Dr. Steiner unpacks the core principles of ecological design, explains why cities are critical to climate adaptation, and highlights the importance of integrating equity into urban planning. The episode touches on current planning mistakes, emerging models of resilient design, and how educators and institutions can prepare the next generation of environmental designers.

Tune in to hear how systems thinking, collaboration, and visionary planning can transform the built environment for people and the planet.


Hosted by Gevorg Ghazaryan, Talking Environment is a series of conversations that grew from the work of the Maqoor Environmental NGO. It brings together a community of dedicated advocates and thinkers who are deeply engaged with the natural world. Rather than presenting lectures, this podcast captures the dynamic exchange of ideas between environmentalists, academics, and specialists from many disciplines. You’ll hear discussions that move from the broad concepts of sustainability and ecological conservation to the urgent, specific realities of climate change and protecting biodiversity. The strength of this podcast lies in its access to genuine experts who offer grounded, often surprising, perspectives on the challenges and solutions shaping our planet. Each episode feels like sitting in on a thoughtful dialogue, where complex topics are broken down with clarity and a shared sense of purpose. For anyone curious about the science, policy, and personal stories behind environmental work, these conversations provide a meaningful and informative listen. Tune in to hear how different voices connect the dots between local action and global impact.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 17

Talking Environment
Podcast Episodes
S1:E9: Angela Pachon: Climate Policies and Energy Regulation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:33
In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan sits down with Angela Pachon, the Research Director at the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, to explore the role of climate policies, energy regulation, and…
S1:E7: Andrew Smith: Environmental Justice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:18
In this episode of Talking Environment, host Gevorg Ghazaryan sits down with Professor Andrew Smith, a scholar in Philosophy and Environmental Studies at Drexel University, to explore the connections between environmenta…