The Grand Challengers Podcast

Mashael Yazdanie, Group Leader, Scientist and Lecturer at the Urban Energy Systems Lab at the Swiss Federal Institute of Materials Science & Technology (Empa) traces her journey across the renewable energies towards more holistic thinking around energy, sustainability, society and sufficiency. We cover her projects in both the global north and south, key concepts such as planetary boundaries, sufficiency, efficiency and doughnut economics as well as the need to learn, unlearn and relearn if we want to become more adaptive and resilience in the face of the climate crisis.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Solar Racing5:58 Nature and energy?9:50 Sufficiency, planetary boundaries and doughnut economics20:31 Mashael's early renewables journey - Biogas Energy in Pakistan29:58 Mashael's early renewables journey - Wind Energy33:37 Mashael's early renewables journey - Tidal energy and the rest36:35 Is there a favourite renewable?38:01 Energy grid centralization vs. decentralization42:30 Planning-support modelling & optimization44:48 Understanding the breadth of modelling tools46:49 Energy in West Africa - The Measures Project54:28 The concept of 'Regret' in decision-making1:01:56 Coming full circle to sufficiency1:04:06 Learning, unlearning and relearning for the climate crisis1:10:06 Mashael's future trajectory1:14:30 Q&A Start1:14:50 What does "innovation" mean to you?1:16:00 Time management1:20:34 Favourite childhood memory1:21:26 Biggest challenge to date1:23:45 Advice for young researchers1:27:57 What would you most like to be rememnbered for?1:30:16 Where can people find you?1:30:58 Final message1:33:06 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

21.04.25 • 94:21

Welcome to this Mini-Series on The Grand Challengers Podcast! The topic of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been in all our minds over the past few years and is gaining even more momentum with rapid advancements in text, audio and video. Google recently released NotebookLM, a powerful research-support AI that can generate not only summaries of sources that we feed it, but also entire podcast episodes. This Mini-Series will explore the power of NotebookLM, our live reactions to its outputs... and a deep dive into some of the topics that we have covered on the show. We feature previous guests, who are here to join in on the fun!Episode #3 delves into "Different perspectives on urban nature-based solutions" -  Veljko Prodanovic (ep13) and I react to how NotebookLM produces a deep dive discussion on an opinion piece around human, ecological and AI perspectives of urban nature based solutions, this time guided by a focus prompt.Full Reference to the Paper: Prodanovic, V., Bach, P.M. and Stojkovic, M., 2024. Urban nature-based solutions planning for biodiversity outcomes: human, ecological, and artificial intelligence perspectives. Urban Ecosystems, 27(5), pp.1795-1806. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-024-01558-6Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Funky Fortune by Danny Shields (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7vRFEGMyTTfeCtc8qiUB82?si=dygdqu9IQLSFYNvVzPNu5w)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:26 Guest Intro and callback to main series3:31 How this experiment works4:31 Guest's prior experience with AI9:50 The human summary11:20 Live Reaction49:18 Post-discussion53:40 Potential Future of AI55:54 Wrap up57:21 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

14.04.25 • 58:32

Welcome to this Mini-Series on The Grand Challengers Podcast! The topic of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been in all our minds over the past few years and is gaining even more momentum with rapid advancements in text, audio and video. Google recently released NotebookLM, a powerful research-support AI that can generate not only summaries of sources that we feed it, but also entire podcast episodes. This Mini-Series will explore the power of NotebookLM, our live reactions to its outputs... and a deep dive into some of the topics that we have covered on the show. We feature previous guests, who are here to join in on the fun!Episode #2 delves into "Tools for urban heat mitigation" -  João Paulo Leitão (ep1, ep40) and I react to how NotebookLM produces a deep dive discussion of a fairly long and comprehensive literature review paper that we co-authored along with colleagues.Full Reference to the Paper: Probst, N., Bach, P.M., Cook, L.M., Maurer, M. and Leitão, J.P., 2022. Blue Green Systems for urban heat mitigation: mechanisms, effectiveness and research directions. Blue-Green Systems, 4(2), pp.348-376. https://doi.org/10.2166/bgs.2022.028Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Funky Fortune by Danny Shields (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7vRFEGMyTTfeCtc8qiUB82?si=dygdqu9IQLSFYNvVzPNu5w)Chapters:00:00 Intro1:25 Guest Intro1:57 Guest’s prior experience with AI4:06 How this experiment works5:17 Live Reaction49:22 Post-discussion52:12 Thoughts on the future of AI53:49 Final remarks54:39 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

08.04.25 • 55:40

Don Weatherbee, CEO of Regenx Tech Corp in Alberta, Canada shows us how you can scale up metals recycling (or regeneration as he calls it) sustainably. We discuss his journey from studying accounting to joining the mining and resources industry and how he is now leveraging opportunities to close the loop and create the circular economy around critical metals worldwide, in particular, the opportunity of aligning chemistry, process and supply chains around catalytic converts and Platinum Group Metals.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro, Snowy Canada and Units3:25 Unraveling the broader power of accounting7:19 Dealing with post-mine closures challenges11:35 Regeneration vs. Recycling of Metals13:51 From junior exploration to catalytic converters18:46 Catalytic Converters 10122:59 Hydrometallurgy for regenerating metals25:17 Scaling up from lab to pilot to plant30:51 Challenges with eWaste Recycling34:03 Long-term trends for Platinum and Palladium38:48 Thought experiment on the market size40:39 Limitations of mining requires more recycling42:25 What's in store for RegenX?45:08 Q&A Start45:43 What is innovation?47:57 Key moment, book, event50:46 Time management53:50 Favourite childhood memory56:06 Biggest challenge to date59:11 Advice for young professionals1:01:02 What would you like to be remembered for1:02:07 Where can people find you?1:02:58 Final Message1:03:20 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

31.03.25 • 64:35

Welcome to this Mini-Series on The Grand Challengers Podcast! The topic of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been in all our minds over the past few years and is gaining even more momentum with rapid advancements in text, audio and video. Google recently released NotebookLM, a powerful research-support AI that can generate not only summaries of sources that we feed it, but also entire podcast episodes. This Mini-Series will explore the power of NotebookLM, our live reactions to its outputs... and a deep dive into some of the topics that we have covered on the show. We feature previous guests, who are here to join in on the fun!Episode #1 delves into "Cooling Establishment Time" - Lucas Gobatti (ep39) and I run this research paper through NotebookLM and record our reaction to the deep dive discussion it produces. Full Reference to the Paper: Gobatti, L., Bach, P.M., Scheidegger, A. and Leitão, J.P., 2023. Using satellite imagery to investigate Blue-Green Infrastructure establishment time for urban cooling. Sustainable Cities and Society, 97, p.104768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104768Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Funky Fortune by Danny Shields (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7vRFEGMyTTfeCtc8qiUB82?si=dygdqu9IQLSFYNvVzPNu5w)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:26 Guest Intro2:30 How this experiment works3:49 Guest prior experience with AI4:41 The human summary5:55 Live Reaction54:37 Post-Discussion59:54 Thoughts on the future of AI1:01:27 Final remarksDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

17.03.25 • 62:42

João P. Leitão, Senior Researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology (Eawag), Professor at ETH Zurich and the first guest of this podcast returns for a Part 2 to reflect on the podcast 40 episodes later, more fun topics about Portugal and major research topics that we did not cover on the first episode including urban drainage asset management, urban heat mitigation and the central role that water plays in adapting cities to climate change and an uncertain future. As a newly promoted Professor, we also look at what Joao's research plans are with his team going forward into a rapidly changing world.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro2:04 Guest Intro and Reflections on the podcast4:45 The return of salted cod (Bacalhau)7:02 Portuguese Wine and Cork9:23 A curious case of inheritance13:30 Getting into the science14:58 Updates in the world of flood models16:42 Rainfall intensities & flood volumes19:12 Balancing model complexity and insight22:54 Joao's preferred term for BGI24:29 Urban drainage asset management29:03 Encouraging more data exchange and joint learning31:05 Speaking a different language in disciplines33:11 Leveraging time zones for research productivity37:34 Beginning our journey on urban heat together42:12 Uchimizu49:03 Is GIS becoming more relevant?52:21 The next stage of Joao's research54:32 Q&A Start54:59 If you had a magic wand?58:29 What do you define as innovation?1:00:51 Favourite childhood memory1:03:58 What would you like to be remembered for?1:04:53 Easter Egg: A not German joke1:06:57 Final Message1:07:57 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

10.03.25 • 69:13

Lucas Gobatti, PhD research at ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) goes deep into how Albert Einstein, Benedictus de Spinoza and Karl Marx have shaped his worldview and connection to cities and nature. As a trained architect, civil engineer and urban planner, we discuss how he balances science and spirituality in his research on urban heat and stormwater management and how we can improve the liveability of cities in the global north and south, particularly in Switzerland and Brazil.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro & Books6:38 Einstein, Spinoza, Spirituality and the Laws of Nature13:20 Karl Marx, spatial inequalities and cities17:28 Late Marx, Kohei Saito and the three displacements21:19 Microsimulation and agents as Lucas' entry point24:17 From Altruism to Green Roofs and Stormwater27:23 Brazil's Nature-based solutions Trajectory30:13 Shedding light on a different planning landscape35:08 Lucas' Urban Heat Research - Cooling establishment time39:48 Lucas' Urban Heat Research - Role of water and irrigation43:31 Experimenting with microclimate models46:03 The Brasilandia District Project50:10 Next steps in Lucas' Research52:10 Q&A Start52:26 What do you define as innovation?54:46 Key event, book, person59:49 Time Management1:07:54 Favourite childhood memory1:09:49 Biggest challenge in career to date1:13:14 Advice for young professionals1:15:37 What would you like to be remembered for?1:23:35 Where can people find you?1:24:35 Final Message1:25:31 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

10.02.25 • 86:48

Patricia Cuervo Uría, Regional Delivery Manager at Binnies in the UK, Chartered Planner and fellow member of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) discusses her experience in planning for flood risk and discussing the impending challenge of mental health in relation to climate change. With over 18 years of experience in delivering local government services and implementation, we reflect on some large-scale infrastructure and small scale sustainable drainage projects across London and delve deep into the limits to planning and the power of stakeholder engagement.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and a London Walk5:07 From Biology to Planning13:37 London's Water in Context15:46 Flooding and Flood Risk in London23:26 The Thames Tideway Tunnels29:46 Stakeholder Involvement in Planning36:30 From city council to consulting - a change of hats39:37 What about SuDS?47:48 Empowerment from the Grenfell Tower Fire56:15 Mental health and climate change1:00:09 Patri's current endeavours1:04:06 Q&A Start1:04:54 What is innovation?1:06:32 Key Event, Book person1:09:22 If you had a magic wand?1:10:50 Time management1:12:44 Favourite childhood memory1:14:43 Advice for young professionals1:16:48 What would you like to be remembered for?1:19:21 Where can people reach you?1:20:05 Final Message1:20:39 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

27.01.25 • 81:53

Brett Ferrin, Vice President of Sales North America at Traffic Logix discusses the evolving and more complex nature of traffic safety management and gives insight into the many ways we can ensure safety on our roads for vehicle operators and other users. We discuss the implications of rapidly exploding amounts of data and the potential of artificial intelligence to revolutionize and upheave safety planning including driverless cars, generating new insights from data and changing human behaviour in general. Brett also reflects on his career and how several career changes have helped him gain a rich body of knowledge around traffic safety, planning and management.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Languages7:10 Getting into traffic and Traffic Logix10:23 The complexities of traffic12:42 Vision Zero16:38 Design with human behaviour in mind23:43 Leveraging real-time data insights25:03 NIMBY and the complexity of urban planning30:49 Traffic Calming Measures41:31 Future Challenges for Traffic Calming43:35 Influence of AI on the transport system49:21 A question of human control and freedom52:25 When nothing changes, nothing changes54:12 Brett's Future Trajectory56:48 Q&A Start57:15 What inspires you?58:27 Key moment, book, event1:02:49 If you had a magic wand?1:04:34 Biggest challenge to date1:07:57 Time Management1:10:38 Advice for young professionals1:12:31 Where can people find you?1:13:48 Final Message1:14:29 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

13.01.25 • 75:43

To finish off 2024 and reflect on the 35 episodes of The Grand Challengers Podcast so far, here is a very special episode. Guests from across the show got to ask me a question of their choosing and I have compiled them into a special episode titled "Tables Turned". In this episode, we look into 22 questions relating to the origin story and plans for the podcast, what it has taught me, my life and career choices, me answering my own questions and advice I can offer. Join me in this beautiful moment of looking back on the past two years of the show and hear about the challenges and fun times that I have experienced!The podcast will return in 2025 with brand new episodes, brand new guests and even some familiar faces! Until then, I hope you enjoyed the listening experience so far and that this episode perhaps awakens your curiosity to check out the collection of existing stories offered by many inspiring individuals across broad ranges of topics.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Astral Dance by Jimit (Check out more of Jimit's tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0hc1IxPxpmUgEIZGGUGrvm?si=z_uif82xQoqAqUy8KpB7JQ)Chapters:0:00 Preamble0:21 Intro1:36 Introducing the special episode3:34 Why the podcast5:28 The Ivory Tower8:05 How long9:37 Bloopers or not11:54 A guest wishlist15:41 An expanded guest wishlist19:03 Effect of the podcast on oneself21:24 How the podcast gives me hope23:17 How have things changed across the production26:41 Life and languages28:43 Why Engineering, what else37:22 Moving countries41:18 Home is where the heart is42:34 Staying in Switzerland45:35 More general life advice49:39 From my own PhD supervisor51:25 My questions thrown back at me51:45 If you had a magic wand?54:09 Advice for young professionals1:00:37 Wrap up - support the show1:02:20 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

09.12.24 • 63:29

Yannick Back, Research Fellow at the Unit of Environmental Engineering, Innsbruck University shares an alternative way of looking at planning for urban heat mitigation, which is the intrinsic link between water and energy fluxes. We discuss how Yannick has harnessed the power of remote sensing (both aerial and satellite data sets) and geographic information systems to develop new ways of assessing and mitigating urban heat in cities. We also hear Yannick's take on what is needed for alpine areas and the world to adapt to the challenges of climate change.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Ice Hockey5:16 Austria, not to be confused with Australia11:46 Getting into urban heat18:33 How a geographer integrates with engineers26:41 The rapid fine-scale approach and thermal comfort35:20 Adding computational fluid dynamics38:59 Surface energy fluxes - an alternative perspective to heat45:27 Is there a “magic” number for urban heat mitigation?50:31 The essential ink between water and energy54:07 Key future challenges for alpine regions55:58 The global data availability question58:37 Yannick’s future research plans1:00:34 Urban climate models vs. data ubiquity1:02:51 Q&A Start1:03:13 What inspires you?1:05:18 Key event, person, book1:07:57 If you had a magic wand?1:11:04 Biggest challenge in career to date1:14:59 Time management1:17:08 Advice for young researchers1:17:52 Where can people reach you?1:18:58 Final Message1:21:39 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

11.11.24 • 82:55

Denise Mitrano, Assistant Professor in the Environmental System Science Department at ETH Zurich sheds some light into the topic of plastics pollution, from macro and micro to nano. Trained as an analytical chemist, we hear how Denise is using her skills to better understand how we can quantify, replace and reduce the sources for better environmental and human health protection. We also reflect on the role that science needs to play in future legislation around environmental protection and some tips on being an academic in a very dynamic discipline.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and getting out of your comfort zone6:25 Discovering environmental chemistry and nanomaterials13:17 Contaminants of emerging concern16:16 Denise’s journey to Switzerland18:00 Plastics 10124:53 Two historical examples of plastics management27:23 Can we create a plastic-free world?30:36 Denise’s Research Pillar 1 - Analytical34:40 Denise’s Research Pillar 2 - Transport and Fate41:23 Metal-doped Microplastics47:39 Denise’s Research Pillar 3 - Policy and Regulation51:43 Denise’s Future Research Trajectory57:43 Q&A Start58:00 What inspires you?58:56 If you had a magic wand?1:01:16 Key event, person, book1:02:59 Time management1:05:07 Biggest challenge in career to date1:07:44 Advice for young researchers1:08:44 Where can people reach you?1:09:07 Final Message1:09:45 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

28.10.24 • 70:59

Bill Hunt, Professor and Extension specialist at North Carolina State University, USA shares with us his journey from a love of hydrology to creating major impact in America's stormwater management. We cover his achievements in the field of stormwater green infrastructure, his current activities in ancient Roman engineering and hear his wisdom on life lessons he has learnt along the way and our vital connection to water. Life is a journey and Bill's incredible advice can help you find our own path to walk.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Hurricane Season4:43 Our first meeting6:26 The engineering or economic studies debate12:31 Your interest as a child foretells your future18:58 What is an Extension Specialist?23:25 Humility led to insights on mosquitos in stormwater wetlands28:56 The growing to do list around water quality32:41 How diverse is stormwater management in the US?38:01 The versatility of bioretention systems42:10 Tips on maintenance of stormwater green infrastructure46:41 Bill's PhD bioretention system after 20 years48:42 Bill's recent book on stormwater green infrastructure51:16 From stormwater to ancient Roman water management56:43 Our connection to water1:01:22 Finding your calling1:03:58 Tackling inequalities in cities1:09:15 Q&A Start1:09:36 What inspires you?1:12:12 Key event, person, book1:14:47 If you had a magic wand?1:17:50 Biggest challenge in career to date1:26:03 Time management1:28:52 Advice for young researchers1:30:24 Where can people reach you?1:31:41 Final Message1:34:15 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

30.09.24 • 95:30

Luis Angel Sañudo Fontaneda, Associate Professor at the University of Oviedo, Spain, brings us on a journey through Spain's history in adopting Sustainable Drainage Systems and how its dynamic policies have shifted towards climate adaptation and sustainability. We look into the marvel of pervious pavements and swale systems, an engineering-focussed start to the Blue-Green Infrastructure journey and reflect on the challenges of being an academic trying to change the world.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro2:00 Guest Intro and Academic Conferencing7:26 A series of fun coincidences and an announcement9:27 Spain, Cantabria, Geography and Climate12:52 Spain's History in SuDS and Luis' entry21:30 Pervious Pavements 10136:18 Getting into Swales41:41 Receptivity towards SuDS in Spain47:04 Luis' next SuDS endeavour49:43 Q&A Start50:06 What inspires you?51:42 Key event, person, book58:28 If you had a magic wand?1:07:19 Time management1:11:14 Advice for young researchers1:12:43 Where can people reach you?1:13:27 Final Message1:14:34 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

16.09.24 • 75:49

Neil Armitage, Emeritus Professor from the University of Cape Town reflects on his journey from engineering through to academia and the human side of sustainable drainage systems. We reflect on South Africa's integrated urban water management challenges and have fun picking at terminology around SuDS, WSUD, LIDs and the like. We see what Neil is up to at the moment and look back at the major lessons he has learnt.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and the Canoe Chute Story9:05 Choosing Water Engineering by elimination12:42 From Zimbabwe to Cape Town14:44 The PhD and a more impactful side project19:49 Neil’s greywater and sanitation chapter23:45 Terminology around sustainable drainage30:58 The Future Water Research Institute at Uni Cape Town33:13 Cape Town Day Zero Drought39:18 Stormwater harvesting for drought-proofing?41:54 Creating change in South Africa with community48:41 Summarizing the concept of SuDS49:32 A stormwater engineer’s greatest ally51:40 Gravity sucks56:15 Neil’s current endeavours1:05:07 Q&A Start1:05:19 What inspires you?1:07:34 Key moment, book, person1:11:18 If you had a magic wand?1:12:39 Time management1:18:28 Advice for young researchers1:20:00 Where can people reach you?1:20:45 Final Message1:22:07 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

12.08.24 • 83:21

Tobias Baur, Professor in Landscape Architecture at the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences (OST), Rapperswil and former partner at Studio Ramboll-Dreiseitl, sheds some light on Singapore's Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters Program, the country's journey in water management, and how sponge cities have evolved from stormwater to climate adaptation in recent years in Asia and Europe. We discuss the important role that interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral collaboration played in ensuring a successful renaturalisation of an urban stream in the flagship Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park project and the challenges going forward.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Reflections on Singapore5:04 Early inspiration for water in landscape design9:00 Singapore's early water management leadership12:15 The ABC Waters Programme15:46 The Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park Project27:20 Tobias' other projects around Singapore31:58 Back in Europe and comparisons with the tropics36:14 Sponge Cities in Switzerland40:06 The role of the landscape architect and designer42:34 Q&A Start42:54 What inspires you?44:10 Key event, person, book44:40 If you had a magic wand?46:16 Biggest challenge in career to date48:20 Time management50:00 Advice for young researchers51:05 Where can people reach you?51:36 Final Message52:02 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

03.06.24 • 53:16

Katrin Pakizer, Research Associate from the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology (Eawag) joins us to discuss how to create transformative change and to transition cities towards more sustainable natural resources management from the lenses of water infrastructure, biodiversity and all the many infrastructures and resources beneath our feet. We look at the challenges that we are likely to face in future in these areas due to climate change and what changes have to happen in institutions if we want to succeed in being more sustainable.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and fascination with Lichen5:58 What came first, social sciences or nature7:55 Katrin's journey to decentralized water systems14:42 Creating transformative change 1: Grassroots movements20:28 A 101 on housing cooperatives in Switzerland23:17 Creating transformative change 2: Policy instrument mixes28:41 Creating transformative change 3: Timing and sequencing40:39 Katrin's current endeavours in biodiversity45:16 Underground resources governance52:35 The road ahead for Katrin54:10 Q&A Start54:30 What inspires you56:55 If you had a magic wand59:22 Key moment, book, person1:01:24 Biggest challenge to date1:07:23 Time management1:12:10 Advice for young researchers1:14;32 Where can people find you1:15:00 Final message1:15:22 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

27.05.24 • 76:34

Alexa Delbosc, Associate Professor at the Monash University Institute of Transport Studies, Australia demonstrates how social psychology concepts and thinking can be applied to transport planning. We explore a variety of topics including dehumanization of cyclists, changing lifestyles of millennials, the impact of the pandemic on transport, work from home culture, the built environment considerations, egocentric anchoring in planning and new ways of thinking about the city, especially with the uptake of micromobility.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:00:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Ornithology4:53 From animal behaviour to human behaviour7:56 Cars vs. Cyclists10:03 The Dehumanization Scale12:00 Addressing the contested road space16:25 Millennials and changing perceptions of the city23:54 The pandemic and its impact26:53 Work from home culture and transport29:46 Impact of the built environment and the third space31:32 Egocentric anchoring and other key social psychology concepts35:07 New ways of thinking about cities36:42 Is collective design the solution?40:00 New challenges in micromobility43:39 Where is transport planning heading to?46:47 Diversification of transport50:26 Q&A Start50:43 What inspires you?52:52 Key event, person, book53:31 If you had a magic wand?55:42 Biggest challenge in career to date57:30 Time management1:00:21 Advice for young researchers1:01:50 Easter Egg: Alexa’s D&D Campaign1:03:28 Where can people find you?1:04:06 Final Message1:04:30 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

30.04.24 • 65:44

Darcy Molnar, Senior Program Coordinator at the Leopold-Bachmann Foundation and the Masters in Advanced Studies (MAS) in Water Resources Program Coordinator at ETH Zurich reflects on three major initiatives she has undertaken to foster better knowledge exchange on solving global crises, bridging global north and south and providing more opportunities for women in STEM. Having grown up in West Africa herself, we learn a bit about how we can use some African culture can and "joie de vivre" to tinker with our own daily lives and personal missions.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and her Egyptian Experience7:29 From Physics to Engineering and Development14:12 The Sanaga River17:15 Getting to Switzerland20:39 How to teach nature-based solutions?35:07 Network for Water and Life (NEWAL)44:42 500 Women Scientists48:30 The Kangaroo Math Competition1:00:30 Darcy’s New Adventure1:01:51 Q&A Start1:02:17 Key event, book person1:04:33 If you had a magic wand?1:05:23 Biggest challenge in career to date1:08:27 Time Management1:11:19 Advice for young scientists1:12:02 Where can people find you?1:12:20 Final Message1:13:24 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

09.04.24 • 74:38

Manuel Fischer, Professor at the Institute of Political Science, University of Bern, group leader in Policy Analysis and Environmental Governance and head of the Environmental Social Sciences Institute at the Eawag, Switzerland shares some insights on the social dynamics between major actors in the political arena during times of stability and times of crisis and the importance of delving deeper into these dynamics for better social-ecological systems. We also discuss the harsh reality of whether science can impact policy.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro, Interview Skills and Social Processes7:01 Manuel for President!9:14 A 101 on Swiss Politics13:03 Manuel’s academic journey to date17:14 Actors, the social scientist and the theatre piece19:27 The good guys, the bad guys and the ‘devil shift’28:18 The ‘devil’s advocate’?31:06 Decision-making in times of crises - Fukushima36:09 Social networks40:27 Social-Ecological Networks for Biodiversity48:02 The role of scientists going forward49:39 Manuel’s approach to the future50:45 Q&A Start51:08 Key event, person, book53:20 If you had a magic wand?54:04 Biggest challenge to date55:59 Time management58:14 Advice to young social scientists1:00:44 The ivory tower of academia1:02:10 Where can people find you?1:02:49 Final message1:03:05 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

18.03.24 • 64:20

Shubber Ali, CEO of Garden for Wildlife, a spin-out from the National Wildlife Federation in the US, reflects on the journey from helping companies improve their innovation to how people can contribute to improving biodiversity in their own gardens through the use of native plants. We also discuss the twin crises of climate change and artificial intelligence (in particular, Generative AI) and look at both the positives and negatives around major societal changes we are likely to experience in future.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro and Gardening6:48 Innovation  a love-hate relationship13:43 Shubber's Origin Story16:16 Nature's best hope18:46 Founding Garden for Wildlife24:35 Nature and human health27:10 Native vs. Non-native30:30 Green justice the Field of Dreams Hypothesis34:10 American fascination with lawns36:36 Reducing friction for change39:08 The IKEA for Biodiversity?41:26 Deal with it at source - cost of poor quality problem43:15 Current successes of Garden for Wildlife45:18 What's next for Garden for Wildlife50:51 Coming to Europe?52:08 Climate Conference COP2755:04 We have too much information58:01 Artificial Intelligence and the dawn of Generative AI1:02:09 Potential downsides of AI1:08:55 Crisis breeds action1:10:53 What is the root cause problem?1:13:59 Q&A Start1:14:17 If you had a magic wand?1:18:25 What inspires you?1:22:55 Key book event person1:30:55 Biggest challenge to date1:34:55 Time Management1:40:50 Where can people find you?1:41:37 Final Message1:41:59 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

05.03.24 • 103:14

Jon Hathaway, Associate Professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville sheds light on the origins and practice of green infrastructure for stormwater management in the US, the impact climate change will have, needs for better asset management and maintenance and how we can operate these systems in a smarter way. We also compare notes and terminology in this field across the globe and discuss the challenges of academics working at the interface with practice.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest Intro, US Travel and Mountainbiking5:33 Jon’s interest in natural systems8:18 Exposure to green stormwater infrastructure12:04 Green infrastructure terminology17:11 Early work on swine lagoon seepage treatment19:50 Bioretention - the “Swiss Army Knife”22:19 Indicator bacteria, pathogens and other pollutants27:14 Interdisciplinary collaboration30:26 Backyard GI and stormwater asset maintenance36:39 Origins of GI? and implications for other places39:37 Bioretention, rain gardens, or biofiltration42:00 Regulations in the US around stormwater48:05 Impact of climate change on GI54:53 Monitoring and control of GI1:03:28 Q&A Start1:03:43 What inspires you?1:06:18 Key event, person, book1:07:36 Biggest challenge in career to date1:10:47 If you had a magic wand?1:13:15 Time management1:14:44 Advice for young researchers1:16:58 Where can people reach you?1:17:35 Final Message1:19:01 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

19.02.24 • 80:17

Markus Vogl, Professor at the University of Stuttgart, senior partner at Studio Urban Strategies and former "Walter Gropius Chair" at the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Urbanism at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina reflects on the power of social collaboration for urban transformation by retelling the story of perhaps the most impactful project in his career to date, the Biblioteca Popular La Carcova and Parque Educativo. We also discuss what the role of architecture and urbanism should look like to tackle the grand challenges that we face.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest introduction and AM radio signals3:36 Buenos Aires, stereotypes and Tango8:20 The Clubes de Barrio11:54 Early interest in Architecture and Urbanism15:27 “Städtebau” or citymaking as interdisciplinarity21:00 From TU Munich to TU Delft24:11 Getting to Buenos Aires28:07 Society, globalization and confronting reality34:13 Biblioteca La Carcova: Prologue: The Walter Gropius Chair39: 49 Biblioteca La Carcova: Part 1 - The Canvas42:23 Biblioteca La Carcova: Part 2 - A book means freedom45:14 Biblioteca La Carcova: Part 3 - Building a place of encounter47:11 Biblioteca La Carcova: Part 4 - Gauchito Gil49:00 Biblioteca La Carcova: Part 5 - Enter Markus51:18 Biblioteca La Carcova: Part 6 - Parque Educativo53:17 Biblioteca La Carcova: Part 7 - 3000 Euros and the Pandemic56:38 Biblioteca La Carcova: Part 8 - The Obelisco1:01:30 The role of the architect1:02:41 The next steps for the Parque Educativo1:07:05 Q&A Start1:07:33 What inspires you?1:08:28 Key event, person, book1:10:24 If you had a magic wand?1:12:18 Biggest challenge in career to date1:17:30 Time management1:19:22 Advice for young architects1:20:42 Where can people reach you?1:21:50 Final Message1:22:31 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

05.02.24 • 83:47

Françoise Bichai, Associate Professor from Polytechnique Montreal discusses the complexity, challenge and necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration and how we should adapt our centralised water infrastructure to support growing cities and adapt to climate change. We also delve into her current work on supporting the planning of green infrastructure.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:59 Guest intro and musical talent6:14 Travels with NGOs to Costa Rica8:32 Françoise’s experience in Peru12:05 What it means to be an engineer15:10 God-like, Medieval and Paleolithic19:00 The T-Shaped Professional19:44 Interdisciplinarity as surfing and diving23:39 Interdisciplinarity as a symphony orchestra28:57 What are we facing in terms of water security?30:53 Françoise’s time in Australia33:30 Harnessing alternative water supply sources36:40 We need a paradigm shift from centralised systems40:58 Satellite treatment plants or hybrid options43:15 Fantasia - The Sorcerer’s Apprentice46:16 Green Infrastructure is multidisciplinary49:37 Terminology and GI for active mobility56:00 Green Infrastructure in Winter1:02:46 Linking GI, heat and drinking water temperature1:07:42 Bringing all the GI work together1:10:43 Q&A Start1:11:09 Key event, person, book1:13:45 What inspires you?1:15:32 If you had a magic wand?1:17:18 Time management1:20:59 Advice for young researchers1:22:40 Where can people reach you?1:23:59 Final Message1:25:23 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

22.01.24 • 86:38

Danielle Dagenais, Professor in Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Montreal discusses her interdisciplinary journey from garden design to all things plants and how she is now tackling green infrastructure solutions for stormwater management and improving urban biodiversity in snowy Canada. Our conversation also unravels the paradox of nature and many myths surrounding the use of vegetation for providing stormwater management among other benefits.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Starsky by Alex Keren (Check out more of his tunes over on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vZ3lENfDLjkln8scBJ8mW)Chapters:00:00 Intro01:59 Guest Intro and Montreal3:11 The Garden of Movement7:25 The Paradox of Nature10:17 Attraction to disciplines of intervention14:06 Danielle’s early journey in the 80s and 90s19:09 Coming back to the PhD21:18 Design language, social sciences and interdisciplinary mediation24:14 Green infrastructure terminology28:42 Planning green infrastructure for stormwater management in Quebec34:22 From mapping to technologies and debunking design myths34:44 Hypothesis 1: Vegetated better than unvegetated39:16 Hypothesis 2: Plant species matter42:51 Hypothesis 3: Native species are better than exotic species46:34 Hypothesis 4: Mono-cultures are worse than multi-cultures49:21 Designing green infrastructure for snow55:28 Is guidance on track, behind or ahead of research?58:03 Encouragement to practitioners: experiment!1:00:32 Q&A Start1:01:00 What inspiration drives you forward?1:01:27 If you had a magic wand?1:02:58 Key event, person, book1:05:11 Biggest challenge in career to date1:07:37 Time management1:09:32 Advice for young researchers1:10:53 Where can people reach you?1:11:30 Final Message1:11:47 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

08.01.24 • 73:02

Belinda Hatt, waterways and wetlands research specialist at Melbourne Water and University of Melbourne, Australia, reflects on her journey through academia and practice around creating healthy waterways and her work on stormwater control measures or Water Sensitive Urban Design, in particular, rain gardens for water quality management.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Breaking Sweat by Balloon Planet (Check out more of their tunes over at Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet)Chapters:0:00 Intro1:12 Guest Intro and ‘Battleship’3:57 Preferred term for Blue-Green Infrastructure and Raingardens5:57 From words to environmental sciences and camping9:09 The impact of urbanization on waterways13:49 The Millennium Drought15:14 Stormwater harvesting and constructed wetlands17:50 Scalable technology? What are raingardens?19:47 10,000 Raingardens - an operation and maintenance challenge21:13 Stormwater quality management in Melbourne today23:01 Multiple benefits of raingardens and other nature-based solutions23:54 How to… Stormwater harvesting - collection, treatment, storage24:53 More about the considerations for stormwater storage28:00 Pollutant removal in raingardens31:36 Plant selection for raingardens33:23 The Adoption Guidelines for Stormwater Biofiltration35:55 Challenges in raingarden planning and design36:40 The journey after leaving academia39:59 An interdisciplinary approach needed nowadays41:51 Coming back into academia and merging pathways44:13 Melbourne Water’s healthy waterways strategy47:19 A post-pandemic city and the role of green spaces49:43 Q&A Start50:00 Belinda’s affection for Karate53:48 Key event, person, book55:11 Biggest challenge in career to date58:08 If you had a magic wand?58:42 Time management1:00:35 Advice for young researchers1:02:59 Where can people reach you?1:03:50 Final Message1:04:15 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

27.11.23 • 65:25

Anna Lintern, senior lecturer and head of the water group at te Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University, Australia, discusses how she has combined her passion for water, rivers and history in some 'forensic-esque' research using sediment core and other historical data sets. We also discuss the impact that such diverse and creative methods can have in supporting further environmental policymaking.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Breaking Sweat by Balloon Planet (Check out more of their tunes over at Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet)Chapters:00:00 Intro01:11 Random banter on cat myths02:38 Guest welcome and forensics TV shows04:04 Our backstory, Japan and divergent paths07:17 Anna’s interest and journey in history11:08 The evolution of Australian history education13:43 Technical disciplines learning from history14:18 How Anna decided on civil engineering17:49 Anna’s research portfolio on river water quality18:40 Paleolimnology and Quaternary Science21:29 Piecing together history from sediment cores25:03 Piecing together Melbourne’s water quality history27:08 Three main areas of application for Anna’s sediment core research28:31 The process and methods of sediment core research35:58 Key findings from Anna’s sediment core research40:50 Anna’s work on modelling spatial-temporal water quality43:28 Best management practices for managing river water quality45:41 Anna’s future research directions47:51 Dungeons & Dragons53:19 Q&A Start53:45 If you had a magic wand?57:14 Key event, person, book58:36 Biggest challenge in career to date1:00:51 Time management1:02:55 Advice for young researchers1:05:50 Where can people reach you?1:06:25 Final Message1:06:46 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

16.10.23 • 67:55

Fritz Kleinschroth, senior research scientist at the Ecosystem Management Group of ETH Zurich reflects on various examples where human infrastructure and nature have collided, from the tropics to his own backyard in Zurich, Switzerland. We discuss the importance of reconciliation ecology going forward and how infrastructure can be planned to be more integrated with natural ecosystems.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Breaking Sweat by Balloon Planet (Check out more of their tunes over at Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet)Chapters:00:00 Intro01:11 Guest introduction and beavers as crowd pleasers05:45 Fritz’s unsatisfiable curiosity and interest for visualization07:12 Nicaragua’s forest reserve - the prologue09:09 Did Fritz actually go into forestry?11:51 Logging roads through forests17:04 Spotting roads from a satellite image18:50 Fritz’s collaboration with the forest certification body19:28 Certification system for logging practice24:50 Holistic vs dynamic way of seeing ecology25:40 Fritz’s move to Zurich26:57 Linking satellite observations with floating plant invasions31:27 Reasons for working in the tropics32:38 Living on an island for a year35:15 Moving the research into the urban space38:34 Nature-based solutions40:11 COVID19 and the importance of green spaces43:51 Reconciliation Ecology - Win Win Ecology48:19 Drone imagery as a tool for visualization49:56 Fritz’s drone adventure53:58 Getting a different perspective of landscapes with drones58:20 Coming full circle to urban, where to next?1:00:50 Q&A Start1:01:11 If you had a magic wand?1:02:40 Key event, person, book1:05:43 Biggest challenge in career to date1:08:43 Time management1:10:29 Advice for young researchers1:11:50 Where can people reach you?1:12:40 Final Message1:13:10 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

11.09.23 • 74:20

Mohan Yellishetty from Resources Engineering at Monash University, Australia sheds light on the importance of minerals extraction and how we can undertake this sustainably. From fascination with Australia-India relations around cricket to growing up in the countryside in India, we discuss the life cycle of mines and the potential of 're-mining', rehabilitation and repurposing after their closure as a way to combat climate change and support the global economy.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Breaking Sweat by Balloon Planet (Check out more of their tunes over at Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet)Chapters:00:00 Intro1:12 Guest Introduction and the world of mining4:37 AI (not artificial intelligence) and Cricket9:00 Why engineering and not cricket stardom?12:25 Life in the rice paddies16:25 Why tulips led to Australia19:26 Life cycle assessment involves cradle to cradle21:48 The importance of minerals24:20 Electric vs. internal combustion engines26:22 Open vs. Closed Loop Recycling30:05 How far has Life Cycle Assessment progressed?33:18 Steps in conducting a mining operation39:33 Identifying economic ‘fairways’ for mining44:05 Combining industries for producing artificial topsoil49:13 Mine rehabilitation and the issue of tailings52:47 Interest in critical minerals57:26 Repurposing options for abandoned mines1:04:50 The cities of today are the mines of tomorrow1:06:23 Impacting policy and governments1:09:59 Is the bad reputation of mining changing?1:11:15 Q&A Start1:11:36 What inspires you?1:12:22 If you had a magic wand?1:13:40 Key event, person, book1:16:06 Biggest challenge in career to date1:19:01 Time management1:20:36 Advice for young researchers1:22:08 Where can people reach you?1:22:35 Final Message1:24:07 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

28.08.23 • 85:16

Mattheos Santamouris, the Anita Lawrence Professor of High Performance Architecture at the University of New South Wales, Australia, discusses the impending overheating crisis due to global climatic change that we are facing, his outlook and perhaps the most urgent strategy for counteracting and adapting to it.Podcast Intro/Outro Song: Breaking Sweat by Balloon Planet (Check out more of their tunes over at Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/balloon-planet)Chapters: 0:00 Intro1:11 Guest Introduction1:35 Greece Travel Tips3:47 Mat’s passion for travelling4:52 Different environments for character shaping7:00 Mat’s experience in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia7:58 Direct transfer of technology is suicide8:36 Long-term implications of urbanization and climate change11:16 The housing crisis and decarbonization13:32 Economic impacts of urban overheating16:23 Health impacts of urban overheating17:18 Environmental impacts of urban overheating18:23 It’s a financial and economic problem, not technological20:04 Bigger problem in the global south25:54 What is high-performance architecture?27:57 Decarbonizing sustainably33:43 From physicist to high-performance architecture36:17 Energy poverty39:57 The journey of research implementation43:50 An important principle for research integrity44:57 The role of markets and green investments53:17 Cool materials1:00:45 Integrating mitigation tech in cities1:04:17 How cool materials were initially implemented?1:10:30 Q&A Start1:10:43 If you had a magic wand?1:11:35 Key event, person, book1:13:51 Biggest challenge in career to date1:17:22 Time management1:18:50 Advice for young researchers1:24:19 Where can people reach you?1:25:03 Final Message1:25:35 OutroDetailed shownotes over at: petermbach.com/podcast for more in-depth information about each episode.Join the community over at: linkedin.com/company/tgcpodcast and let's connect across the world!Subscribe and listen to the podcast (and do please leave a review/rating) on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from. Your subscription/follow will greatly help the show grow and reach a wider audience.Hosted by Peter Marcus Bach (www.petermbach.com), follow me on: X (fomerly Twitter): @petermbach Instagram: @petermbach87 Subscribe to my channel on YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/PeterMarcusBach/

31.07.23 • 86:44