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The DNA of Cities

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We know that there are over 10,000 cities in the world. We also know that there is something unique about every city. But what is it that makes each city feel, move, look and act so differently? In this podcast, Professor Greg Clark CBE and Caitlin Morrissey bring together over 70 inspirational leaders from the worlds of urban history, politics, art, architecture and more to decode The DNA of Cities. 

19/09/24
Podcast

Episode 29: What does this approach not explain?

We celebrate the end of Season 1 with a rich debate about the utility of this approach to understanding cities.

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05/09/24
Podcast

Episode 28: How can we use The DNA of Cities?

In the first of two concluding episodes, our urban experts debate how this approach might be used.

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23/05/24
Podcast

Episode 27: Our Listeners - Part II

Our wonderful listeners tell us about the unique traits of favourite cities and help us to plan Season 2.

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16/05/24
Podcast

Episode 26: Our Listeners - Part I

Our esteemed listeners join us to discuss what they have found meaningful from Series 1 so far.

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30/11/23
Podcast

Episode 25: The DNA of Shanghai - Part II

We explore the cultural contributions of the city where Chinese heritage meets the Western influence.

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11/11/23
Podcast

Episode 24: The DNA of Shanghai - Part I

We meet local experts to help us decode the DNA of one of the world's largest cities.

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02/11/23
Podcast

Episode 23: The DNA of Dubai - Part II

We spend time exploring the more ordinary, mundane and vernacular aspects of life in Dubai.

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18/10/23
Podcast

Episode 22: The DNA of Dubai - Part I

We locate The DNA of Dubai by tracing the transformation of this fishing and pearling village into a city.

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04/10/23
Podcast

Episode 21: The DNA of Tel Aviv - Part II

We speak with local experts to learn about how The DNA of Tel Aviv manifests itself today.

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21/09/23
Podcast

Episode 20: The DNA of Tel Aviv - Part I

We discover that there are two genetic structures that make up the city-region of Tel Aviv.

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03/08/23
Podcast

Episode 19: The DNA of Philadelphia - Part II

We learn about Philadelphia's mindsets, values, inventions, leaders and responses to shocks.

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20/07/23
Podcast

Episode 18: The DNA of Philadelphia - Part I

We discover the long history of the city that made America and we hear what defines the city today.

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06/07/23
Podcast

Episode 17: The DNA of London - Part II

We discover the myths and ideas about what makes a Londoner, and how Londoners make London.

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22/06/23
Podcast

Episode 16: The DNA of London - Part I

Many cities compete with London in lots of areas, but very few compete in everything, why is that?

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08/06/23
Podcast

Episode 15: The DNA of Glasgow - Part II

We find out what it means to be a Glaswegian and we search for the city's greatest inventions.

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25/05/23
Podcast

Episode 14: The DNA of Glasgow - Part I

We discover the DNA of this ambitious, entrepreneurial and people-centred city.

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10/05/23
Podcast

Episode 13: The DNA of Vienna - Part II

From coffee culture to citizen services, we discover the things that distinguish Vienna from all other cities.

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05/05/23
Podcast

Episode 12: The DNA of Vienna - Part I

Waltz with us along the banks of the Danube and beyond to discover DNA of this glorious city.

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04/05/23
Podcast

Episode 11: The DNA of Barcelona - Part II

We hear why Barcelona is the place for life’s great ventures and that the greatest creation is the city itself.

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06/04/23
Podcast

Episode 10: The DNA of Barcelona - Part I

We decode The DNA of Barcelona with experts who have spent years unearthing what makes it so unique.

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03/03/23
Podcast

Episode 09: The DNA of New York - Part II

We ask how many New Yorks are there? What does the city mean to different people?

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02/03/23
Podcast

Episode 08: The DNA of New York - Part I

We reveal the DNA of this commercial enterprise, island archipelago and city of shock and re-invention.

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01/03/23
Podcast

Episode 07: The DNA of Singapore - Part II

We discover the multiple legacies of the island-city-state's post-independence decision-makers.

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02/02/23
Podcast

Episode 06: The DNA of Singapore - Part I

We learn about the DNA that has enabled the one of the most successful examples of nation building.

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05/01/23
Podcast

Episode 04: The DNA of Istanbul - Part I

Local experts help us decode the DNA of this holy city, global city and imperial city of three names.

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04/01/23
Podcast

Episode 05: The DNA of Istanbul - Part II

Local experts debate cosmopolitanism and the everyday ways that people conquer the big, busy metropolis.

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22/12/22
Podcast

Episode 03: How do cities acquire traits?

We find out more about the endowed, inherited and acquired traits that make up The DNA of Cities.

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08/12/22
Podcast

Episode 02: Decoding urban identity

With the help of our group of urban experts, we explore the elements we might find in the genetic code of cities.

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23/11/22
Podcast

Episode 01: Do cities have DNA?

We begin this podcast series with a simple question, “Do cities have a DNA?”

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14/11/22
Podcast

Trailer

Join us fortnightly from Thursday 24th November as we try to decode what makes our cities so unique.

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