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How will water scarcity shape the future of cities, migration, and global stability? From climate change to migration, the African water crisis is deeply connected to global challenges — and global solutions.  In the final episode of this series, we explore why water scarcity is not just a regional issue, but a global one. We unpack the legacy of extractive systems, the role of youth and local leadership, and the urgency of declaring not just a climate emergency, but a water emergency.  Through the lens of the TransAfrica Pipeline, we ask: what does global responsibility look like in a time of water crisis — and what can we do to build a more secure, just, and caring future? Guest: Dr. Rod Tennyson & Dr. Romila Verma Series: How the Trans Africa Pipeline (TAP) Can Solve the Sahel Region’s Water Crisis What if water infrastructure could do more than deliver clean drinking water — what if it could transform economies, support food security, reduce climate migration, and unite communities across borders? In this 3-part series, Urban Limitrophe explores the story of the TransAfrica Pipeline (TAP) — a visionary project to bring clean, desalinated water across the Sahel through a 7,000-kilometre pipeline powered by renewable energy. Through conversations with co-founders Dr. Rod Tennyson and Dr. Romila Verma, we unpack how water connects to everything: agriculture, innovation, migration, environmental justice, and community resilience. Acknowledgements: This episode is co-supported by the Nurubian, the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes, references and guest details.  To access social media, newsletter, and additional projects visit: https://linktr.ee/urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

Why do some water systems work— and others fail? Successful water infrastructure isn’t just about engineering. There’s a hidden social side — shaped by governance, culture, and power — that often determines whether systems actually work, or get built at all. In this second episode, beyond the technical side of infrastructure to explore the social, ethical, and ecological dimensions of water access. Dr. Verma introduces her Four Pillars of Water Sustainability — science, governance, economics, and cultural connection — and we explore how these ideas can reshape how cities, towns, and regions manage water today. From sponge cities to sacred rivers, we discuss why collaboration and care are at the heart of any truly sustainable water system. Guest: Dr. Rod Tennyson & Dr. Romila Verma Series: How the Trans Africa Pipeline (TAP) Can Solve the Sahel Region’s Water Crisis What if water infrastructure could do more than deliver clean drinking water — what if it could transform economies, support food security, reduce climate migration, and unite communities across borders? In this 3-part series, Urban Limitrophe explores the story of the TransAfrica Pipeline (TAP) — a visionary project to bring clean, desalinated water across the Sahel through a 7,000-kilometre pipeline powered by renewable energy. Through conversations with co-founders Dr. Rod Tennyson and Dr. Romila Verma, we unpack how water connects to everything: agriculture, innovation, migration, environmental justice, and community resilience. Acknowledgements: This episode is co-supported by the Nurubian, the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes, references and guest details.  To access social media, newsletter, and additional projects visit: https://linktr.ee/urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

What if water infrastructure could do more than deliver clean drinking water — what if it could transform economies, support food security, reduce climate migration, and unite communities across borders? In this 3-part series, Urban Limitrophe explores the story of the TransAfrica Pipeline (TAP) — a visionary project to bring clean, desalinated water across the Sahel through a 7,000-kilometre pipeline powered by renewable energy. Through conversations with co-founders Dr. Rod Tennyson and Dr. Romila Verma, we unpack how water connects to everything: agriculture, innovation, migration, environmental justice, and community resilience. TAP is more than a pipeline — it’s a call to imagine water systems built with care, innovation, and the future in mind. Guest: Dr. Rod Tennyson & Dr. Romila Verma Episode 1: How to Build a Continent-Sized Water System How do you build a continent-sized water system? In this episode, we explore what it takes to design a 7,000-kilometre pipeline to bring clean water across one of the driest regions in the world. Co-founders Dr. Rod Tennyson and Dr. Romila Verma share the origin story of the TransAfrica Pipeline (TAP) — a visionary infrastructure project that combines solar-powered desalination, salt recovery, and lightweight materials to deliver sustainable water access across the Sahel. From technical design to big-picture ambition, we dive into how TAP was engineered — and how it could change lives on a continental scale. Acknowledgements: This episode is co-supported by the Nurubian, the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes, references and guest details.  To access social media, newsletter, and additional projects visit: https://linktr.ee/urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

What does it mean to rebuild with dignity after disaster strikes? In this episode of Urban Limitrophe, we speak with architect Omar Degan, founder of DO Architecture and the Fragility Lab. Together, they explore how architecture can be a tool for healing, not just shelter — and how co-designing with communities leads to more just, resilient spaces in the aftermath of crisis. Omar shares his journey designing in fragile contexts — from post-conflict housing in Somalia to consulting for the UN — and how his work challenges traditional top-down models of humanitarian aid. Instead of quick fixes, his approach centers culture, collaboration, and care. You’ll learn how DO Architecture uses emergency design to center communities in fragile contexts, and why beauty, dignity, and belonging should never be seen as luxuries — even in disaster recovery. Whether you're a planner, designer, changemaker, or curious listener, this conversation invites you to rethink how we rebuild, who we build for, and what’s possible when communities lead the way. Guest: Omar Degan Acknowledgements: This episode is co-supported by the Nurubian, the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes, references and guest details.  To access our newsletter visit: https://tinyurl.com/ULNewsletter Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

What do you build when the systems around you fall short? In Season 2 of Urban Limitrophe, we travel across continents, through cities, and into communities — from the innovation hubs of Botswana to the rural coastlines of Nova Scotia, the medinas of Tunisia to the farmlands of Togo, from Athens to Abidjan. This season is about community, imagination, innovation, and the power of everyday people to shape the places they call home — in housing, culture, cycling, climate, and beyond. We’ll hear from architects, artists, activists, and storytellers who are transforming how cities are designed, governed, remembered, and lived in — one idea, one connection, one act of care at a time. Subscribe now. New episodes every month.

The built environment is a reflection of political decisions. The officials you elect shape the environment around you. So, what happens if people don’t participate in the voting process? In this episode, we delve into the critical intersection of civic action and urban development with our insightful guest, Dafe Oputu. We’ll explore the urban landscapes of Accra, Ghana; Cotonou, Benin; and Lagos, Nigeria, examining how trust and accountability in municipal governance shape these cities. We’ll discuss different cities' strategies to encourage public participation and civic action, and why voting is crucial for building better cities. Together we also unpack Africa's obsession with megacities, like Akon City and Eko Atlantic (and how to avoid creating ghost cities). Guest: Dafe Oputu Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes, references and guest details.  To access social media, newsletter, and additional projects visit: https://linktr.ee/urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

What makes a city truly smart? Or just? The answer lies with the people. In this episode, we explore the human-centric side of Smart Cities with our guest Titus Kaloki from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Kenya office. Through their Just Cities Project, Titus is on a mission to make cities both smart and just, leveraging technology to put people at the center of urban planning. Titus and his team have been leveraging an innovative software called Urban Collective Design Environment (U_CODE) to achieve an 85% participation rate in their Just Cities Project in Nakuru City, Kenya. This process brings together local government, urban planners, and citizens to co-design the future of the city using 3D modelling software. Join us as we delve into how this approach results in community-informed plans that conform to urban guidelines and zoning while saving time, money, and reducing frustration for all parties involved. Guest: Titus Kaloki Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes, references, and guest details. To access social media, newsletter, and additional projects visit: https://linktr.ee/urbanlimitrophePlease address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com Credits:  Music by Imany LambropoulosPodcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

What if the true architects of our cities are not the government officials or urban planners, but the communities who live in them? In this episode, we dive deep into a provocative question: When governments fail to provide essential services like water and electricity, and communities step up to fill the gaps, who define the future of urban development? We journey to Brazil to unravel the story of the 2001 City Statute, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at making cities more equitable. This innovative law, born from decades of activism and aimed at redistributing urban resources, has struggled with implementation challenges. My special guest, Mayara Almeida de Paula, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto and an expert in urban planning, will share her insights on how race, gender, and urban policies impact the lives of Black women in Brazil and how these factors either support or restrict their right to the city. Guest: Mayara Almeida de Paula Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details.  Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dKQV9 Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music and editing by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

In this episode, we're headed to Tangier, Morocco. My co-host Naziha Nasrin and I speak with Amine Houari of Think Tanger, a non-profit cultural agency shaping Tangier's development through art, research, and collaboration. Together, we discuss crucial topics such as creative insurgency, planning in suburban contexts in Toronto (Scarborough) and Tangier (Bir Chifa), multicultural approaches to community development, and insights for other cultural planning organizations. Additionally, we offer advice for Western cities planning for diverse cultural contexts. Key insights from the episode include: Planning in multicultural cities and suburbs The importance of people-centred practices to urban/suburban developmentThink Tanger's StudioCity program and how it promotes dialogue, arts, city-building, and neighbourhood pride in TangierThe foundational elements of Think Tanger's approach to fostering a more inclusive and engaged communityExploring the colonial history of Tangier and its impact on the city's culture and built environmentHow Think Tanger uses publications like their magazine MAKAN and their store KIOSK alongside residency programs to support the decolonization of arts and culture in the cityCrafting inclusive approaches that resonate with the unique cultural and historical context of a cityStrengthening cultural programming and development through strategic collaborations and financial supportInclusive approaches to cultural planning Guest: Amine Houari of Think Tanger Co-Hosts: Naziha Nasrin of plazaPOPS Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details.  Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dKQV9 Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music and editing by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

Join me, along with my co-hosts Joycelyn and Erin, as we dive into an insightful conversation with Lanrick Bennett Jr., Toronto's Bicycle Mayor, and the Executive Director of Charlie's FreeWheels. We explore his tenure as a bike mayor and the expansive network of BYCS-appointed mayors, stretching from India to Uganda and beyond. In this episode, we discuss crucial topics such as Vision Zero and efforts to reduce vehicular-related fatalities in Toronto. We delve into designing inclusive cycling infrastructure and offer advice for those looking to cycle in the city and who want to get involved in making their streets safer for all. Key insights from the episode include: Understanding the significance of inclusive cycling infrastructureExploring how Shaw St has evolved into Toronto's cycling havenThe importance of political will in creating safer streetsWays to actively contribute to advocating for safer streets in your communityInsights from international transit advocates on Toronto's cycling infrastructureWhat it takes to ensure safer streets for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alikeThe global network of Bicycle Mayors and their impact on urban developmentAnd much more Guest: Lanrick Bennett Jr., Bicycle Mayor of Toronto & Executive Director of Charlie’s FreeWheels Co-Hosts: Joycelyn Guan and Erin Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Subscribe to the newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dKQV9Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music by Imany LambropoulosPodcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

This episode marks the first video episode of the podcast! Here's a sneak peek of my conversation with Destinie Adélakun, an emerging multi-disciplinary artist, who masterfully weaves her Nigerian-Indian heritage into her breathtaking solo exhibition, "Journey of Adé." Destinie also shares the excitement of exhibiting at Toronto's renowned Nuit Blanche, her work bridging mental wellness and public art as part of the Scarborough-based Behind the Art Collective, and the crucial role that public art plays in shaping the identity of our cities.  This is just a snippet of our conversation. To watch our full discussion head on over to the new Urban Limitrophe YouTube channel to see all of the art pieces that Destinie refers to in the episode. Guest: Destinie Adélakun, Behind the Art Collective Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities, the Department of Geography and Planning, and GlowReel About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details.  Subscribe to the newsletter: https://shorturl.at/dKQV9 Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com 

Join me in this captivating episode of the podcast as I have an insightful conversation with Heba Elhanafy, an urban researcher from the Charter Cities Institute (CCI) Zambia. Together, we explore the fascinating world of charter city development and dive deep into the Planning Guidelines Report titled "Guided Organic Growth: An urban planning framework for charter cities."  In this episode, you'll learn about: What are charter cities and why promoting good governance is at the heart of making them workThe benefits of taking an incremental approach to infrastructure development for more affordability and efficiency The importance of adapting urban policies and plans to the evolving needs of citizensAnd much more! Guest: Heba Elhanafy, Charter Cities Institute (CCI) Zambia Website: www.chartercitiesinstitute.orgTwitter: @hebaelhanafiInstagram: @hebaelhanafyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heba-elhanafy-918691a0 Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details.  Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe  Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music and editing by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

In this episode, I chat with Angela Oduor Lungati, the CEO of Ushahidi. Ushahdi is a mobile platform dubbed “Africa’s Gift to Silicon Valley” by the New York Times. Born out of a crisis, the open-source software enables virtually anyone with a cellphone or internet connection to efficiently crowd-source information, map it and share it with those the most in need and guide those who can provide aid. Ushahidi is a powerful planning and decision-making tool for communities and cities in the midst of an emergency and has been used by groups worldwide to track everything from COVID-19 recovery to police brutality and everything in between.  In this episode, you'll learn about: how Ushahidi has been leveraged by communities and governments worldwide, how to keep communities at the center of innovation, and much more! Guest: Angela Oduor Lungati, CEO of Ushahidi Website: www.ushahidi.comTwitter: @AngieNicoleOD | @UshahidiInstagram: @UshahidiDonate: give.ushahidi.com Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details.  Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe  Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music and editing by Imany Lambropoulos Podcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos

En novembre 2021, j'ai eu le plaisir de parler avec M. Patrick Mudekereza le Directeur Exécutif du Centre d'Art Waza. Le Centre d'Art Waza, situé à Lubumbashi, en République démocratique du Congo une ville désignée en 2015 par l'UNESCO, comme étant la Ville créative d'artisanat et des arts populaires. Ainsi, pendant notre discussion nous parlons par rapport de la créativité des Lushois, du rôle de l'art public dans la ville, les projets divers dirigés par le Centre et ce qui fait de Lubumbashi une Ville Créative. Dans cet épisode, vous découvrirez: pourquoi l’art public est si important pour les villes et les communautés qui les accueillent,l'histoire de la ville de Lubumbashi d'un perspective artistique,qu’est-ce qui fait de Lubumbashi une ville aussi créative,et bien plus encore!  Invité: Patrick Mudekereza Website: www.centredartwaza.orgTwitter: @centredartwazaInstagram: @centredartwaza Remerciements: Cet épisode est co-parrainé par l'Université de Toronto School of Cities et le Département de Geographie et de l'Aménagement  Urban Limitrophe: Veuillez visitez www.urbanlimitrophe.com pour toutes les notes et références de l’émission et les détails sur les invités. Instagram: @urbanlimitrophepodcast Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Contact: hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Assistance:  Monteur et producteur de musique: Imany LambropoulosAnimatrice de podcast et graphiste: Alexandra Lambropoulos

In this episode, my co-host Sami Ferwati and I chat with Salma Elbasty from CLUSTER (Cairo Lab for Urban Studies, Training and Environmental Research). CLUSTER undertakes a number of research, architecture, and arts-based urban initiatives with a special focus on analyzing urban informality and highlighting its role in our cities. During our discussion, we explore the impact of two of CLUSTER's major projects—the CAUL (Critical Arab Urban Lexicon) and their Creativity in Action toolkit—and how through their diverse programming they work with artists, artisans, academics, businesses, communities, and everyone else in between to bring their projects to life. In this episode, you'll learn about: urban informality and its role in creative cities,the process CLUSTER follows to undertake their various creative, community-based activities,the Critical Arab Urban Lexicon (CAUL) and the importance of translating urban terms into different languages, ALFABRIKA, CLUSTER's maker space and community hub,and much more! Guest: Salma Elbasty, CLUSTER Website: www.clustercairo.orgTwitter: @clustercairoInstagram: @clustercairo Co-Host: Sami Ferwati Acknowledgements: This episode is co-sponsored by the University of Toronto School of Cities and the Department of Geography and Planning.  About Urban Limitrophe: Please visit www.urbanlimitrophe.com for all episode show notes and references and guest details. Instagram & Twitter: @urbanlimitrophe Please address any related communication to hello[at]urbanlimitrophe.com  Credits:  Music by Imany LambropoulosPodcast concept, development, and design by Alexandra Lambropoulos