Shows
Housing Matters Podcast17. How to Build Wealth Locally and Sustainably with Monte AndersonMonte Anderson: Start Local, Stay Committed, Build What’s Missing
In this episode of Housing Matters, Matt Pouliot is joined by Monte Anderson—President of Options Real Estate Investments, Inc. and co-founder of Neighborhood Evolution. Monte has spent decades revitalizing Southern Dallas through sustainable, small-scale development that puts community first.
Monte shares how he went from racing motorcycles to becoming one of the most impactful townmakers in the country. From restoring forgotten buildings to creating ownership opportunities for local entrepreneurs, his approach to “incremental development” offers a blueprint for any community looking to build from the insi...2025-07-021h 09
TownmakingSocietal impact | Lukas Reichel: Catalan Cooperative Car-SharingIn this episode, host Servaz van Berkum sits down with Lukas Reichel, founder of Som Mobilitat, a car-sharing cooperative in Catalonia with about 4,000 members and 160 cars. Together, they discuss Lukas’s journey, the motivations behind starting Som Mobilitat, and how the cooperative contributes to building stronger, more sustainable communities.This episode is part of our Societal Impact series, where we feature individuals making a difference through community-driven initiatives and their pursuit of a more sustainable, inclusive urban environment.This episode was a collaboration between Indranil Bhattacharya, Omar Zuberi...2024-11-1434 min
TownmakingNL episode: Hoe beheersen we de snelheid van het verkeer (zonder de openbare ruimte aan te passen)Please note: This is a special recording of our conversation on ISA and ASG in Dutch. If you’d like to hear the English version, you can find it in the episodes from 1st and 8th August. We’ll be back to English in the next episode.In deze speciale Nederlandstalige aflevering van Towwnmaking spreken ingenieur Paul Timmer en host Servaz van Berkum over Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) en Adaptive Speed Governance (ASG), beiden helpen de bestuurder van een voertuig veiliger te helpen.ISA is een systeem dat is ontworpen om bestuurders te waarschuwen wanneer een...2024-10-3040 min
TownmakingWhat is the true value of Data?Our guest this week is Indranil Bhattacharya. In this episode, host Servaz van Berkum and Indranil explore the nature of data, highlighting how, without context, it’s merely a collection of numbers. They dive into the challenges data presents and discuss why responsible use is essential for building a fair, human-centered society.Indranil explains how we can better understand data integrally with what it represents, emphasizing that its true value exists with the knowledge to understand numbers, not the numbers themselves.This episode was a collaboration between Indranil Bhattacharya, Omar Zu...2024-10-2449 min
Urbanistica Podcast - Cities for People474. Build a relationship with a place - Thieu BesselinkDr. Thieu Besselink, PhD, Founder of the Academy of Place and the Townmaking Institute, ass. prof. at Utrecht University
Thieu Besselink is an urbanist, philosopher and educator. He learned to love the complexities of place during his research with prof. Richard Sennett at the LSE Cities Program and went on to establish two organisations that aim to learn from and develop places as living wholes. The Academy of Place initiates regenerative development processes at landscape scale, and the Townmaking Institute is an R&D institute for urban commons and Societal Asset Development. As an educator Thieu leads...2024-10-1818 min
TownmakingCan regenerative farming secure the future of our food production?In this episode of Townmaking, host Servaz van Berkum sits down with Thieu Besselink, who focuses on regenerative farming for the Townmaking Institute. They discuss how regenerative agriculture can secure the future of our food systems by healing ecosystems, revitalizing soil, and moving away from harmful agricultural practices. Thieu shares insights on how these methods can sustainably meet global food needs while empowering individual farmers and communities through the commons, giving them the agency to lead local change.Together, they explore why it’s crucial to rethink our relationship with food, especially as conventional farming depletes essential re...2024-10-1736 min
TownmakingSocietal impact | Community organiser Daniel Picado, plural citizen-centric societies.In this episode, host Servaz van Berkum sits down with Daniel Picado, a community organizer and founder of Pais Plural, an LGBTQI+ organization in Venezuela. Together, they explore Daniel’s personal journey, the mission that drives his work, and how his efforts have shaped his dedication to building a more inclusive, plural, and citizen-centric society.Through Daniel’s story, we delve into the broader themes of creating societal impact—highlighting the everyday work that brings meaningful change to communities. Daniel shares his vision for a more equitable society, his experiences and how his person...2024-10-1040 min
TownmakingHow to build a shared-mobility community for future residents?This week, host Servaz van Berkum and Mobility as a Commons (MaaC) expert Walter Dresscher continue their conversation on shared mobility and urban development. We discuss how MaaC could reshape project development across different housing sectors: private sector rentals, homeownership, and social housing. How can we ensure shared mobility is accessible to everyone, regardless of income or background?At the heart of this is the idea that urban and project development should focus on the needs of future residents. One of those needs, mobility, has an outsized impact on the cost of development. If we want to...2024-10-0429 min
TownmakingCan community-owned mobility reshape urban development?Mobility as a Commons (MaaC) expert Walter Dresscher joins us once again to continue our discussion on community-owned shared mobility—a model that rethinks mobility ownership by sharing vehicles like cars, bikes, and more. We’ve previously covered this topic in our July 11th and July 18th episodes, so feel free to revisit those for additional context on MaaC.In today’s episode, Walter and host Servaz van Berkum, will dive deeper into how MaaC intersects with urban and project development. We’ll explore how mobility influences building design and, more importantly, how MaaC cou...2024-09-2628 min
TownmakingSocietal Impact: Marc Bemelmans, educating complete bike mechanics.In this episode, host Servaz van Berkum shares aspects of Marc Bemelmans' Narrative Record, an educator and passionate cyclist. As a vocational teacher in Amsterdam, Marc trains the next generation of bike mechanics. Together, they discuss his life, his love for bicycles, and his strong ties to both the mechanical craft and the field of education, where he has dedicated most of his career.Narrative Records document the lived experiences of specialists like Marc, providing valuable insights of what shaped them, what their daily lives feel like, their specialized and unique knowledge...2024-09-1946 min
TownmakingCommunity Update: What’s happening in Townmaking?In this episode of Townmaking, host Servaz van Berkum is joined by Indranil Bhattacharya and Thieu Besselink to explore the latest in the Townmaking community. The discussion dives into Adaptive Speed Governance (ASG), Cycling Corridors, and Mobility as a Commons, highlighting how these initiatives are reshaping urban environments.This podcast was produced and curated by Indranil Bhattacharya, Omar Zuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum, with music by Mickey Smid.This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next...2024-09-1232 min
TownmakingHow can recording everyday lives help shape liveable communities?In this episode host Servaz van Berkum sits down with Indranil Bhattacharya to dive into the concept of Narrative Records. These records capture the everyday lives and lived experiences of people across Europe, Africa, and Asia, giving us valuable insights into what makes communities more liveable.We explore how these stories can help shape better environments and why they’re so important to the work we do at the Townmaking Institute. We also discuss how others can get involved in building and expanding these records, creating a growing collection of voices th...2024-09-0530 min
TownmakingSocietal impact | City Councilor Elisabeth IJmker, progressive protestant politicsThis is the second of two episodes in which host Servaz van Berkum interviews members of the Amsterdam City Council about their work and vision for creating livable cities. Today, he’s joined by researcher, church council member, and City Council Member Elisabeth IJmker.These episodes also mark the introduction of a new format in our podcast series. Periodically, alongside our regular episodes, we will spotlight individuals who have made a significant societal impact, delving into what motivates and drives them.We hope these conversations of...2024-08-2937 min
TownmakingSocietal impact | City Councilor Elise Moeskops, smelly cheese, good wine and politics.In this episode, host Servaz van Berkum sits down with restaurateur and Amsterdam City Council member Elise Moeskops to talk about what drives her forward in her life, her work, and how this has shaped her role as a city council member.This episode kicks off a new format for the series, where we focus on everyday people making a real difference in their communities. We’ll talk about their work, their vision, and how they’re helping to create more livable cities. This podcast was...2024-08-2339 min
TownmakingAre e-bikes (or fatbikes) unsafe at any speed?In this episode, host Servaz van Berkum continues his conversation with Townmaking engineer Paul Timmer. They explore the growing use of e-bikes and the important issue of safety. Are e-bikes, as they are today, fundamentally unsafe? How do they influence urban planning and the way we commute? Most importantly, how can we address the safety concerns they raise? Paul suggests that certifying motor systems could improve safety standards without requiring every new e-bike model to undergo individual testing.This podcast was produced and curated by 2024-08-1526 min
TownmakingHow can we build non-intrusive speed governance in vehicles (without redesigning public space)?This episode is the final installment of our three-part series on speed dynamics in urban environments. In this episode, host Servaz van Berkum continues his conversation with Townmaking engineer Paul Timmer. This time, they delve into Adaptive Speed Governance (ASG), an innovative driver-assistance system created by the Townmaking Institute in partnership with the City of Amsterdam.Initially developed for e-bikes, ASG can enhance the safety of all types of vehicles without relying on cameras or sensors or infringing on privacy. It requires no filming or r...2024-08-0827 min
TownmakingHow are algorithms changing driving?This is the second episode in our three-part series exploring the dynamics of speed in urban environments. In this episode, Townmaking engineer Paul Timmer joins host Servaz van Berkum to discuss Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA). ISA is a system designed to alert drivers or even take control when a vehicle exceeds the local speed limit. Since July 2022, the European Union has mandated ISA for all new vehicles, including cars and lorries. We’ll delve into how ISA works, its objectives for enhancing road safety, and the challenges it faces wh...2024-08-0125 min
TownmakingWe need to talk about travel speed.This is the first episode in a three-part series exploring the dynamics of speed in urban environments. Indranil Bhattacharya and host Servaz van Berkum will delve into the intricate relationships between speed, liveability, and safety. How does travel speed impact our surroundings? How do we perceive speed, and how do others perceive our movement? Moreover, how should we regulate speed, and why is it necessary to do so? This podcast was produced and curated by Paul Timmer, Indranil Bhattacharya , 2024-07-2525 min
TownmakingHow can personal engagement lead to community-owned shared mobility?In this follow-up episode of Townmaking, host Servaz van Berkum continues the conversation with Walter Dresscher, diving deeper into the practical aspects of building communities centered around community-owned mobility. Walter shares his personal journey of starting his own community and now guiding others to do the same. They discuss the tangible steps and strategies required to foster these innovative communities, highlighting real-world examples and actionable insights. Learn how shared mobility initiatives can lead to vibrant, sustainable urban neighborhoods and enhance the quality of urban life.This podcast...2024-07-1831 min
TownmakingHow to build communities for shared mobility (and improve urban life)?In this episode of Townmaking, host Servaz van Berkum sits down with Walter Dresscher to discuss community-owned mobility, also known as Mobility as a Commons (MaaC). Together, they delve into communal models of ownership, discussing how shared vehicles and shared efforts can contribute to building vibrant, liveable cities and enhance urban life.This podcast was produced and curated by Walter Dresscher, Omar Zuberi, Bono Siebelink, and Servaz van Berkum (host). Music by Mickey Smid.See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information on Townmaking Institute and this podcast series.2024-07-1127 min
TownmakingHow can we become citizens (not consumers) on the Internet?The Internet today mostly treats us as consumers, not as citizens. To make things worse, we are often represented as users conforming to the same standards. As citizens we have rights to clean water, clean air, and healthy food. As digital citizens, we should have the right to represent ourselves accurately, and to know where and how our information is being used. However, we are often without agency, funneled into revenue-maximizing streams. But we are not the same, we come from different cultures, our languages are unique, and our needs are different. So how do we change the internet...2024-07-0428 min
TownmakingWhat are the NextCommons Principles?In the third episode of Townmaking, we discuss the NextCommons Principles. What are they and why does Indranil Bhattacharya think they are needed for societal equality and resilience?This podcast was produced and curated by Indranil Bhattacharya, Omar Zuberi, Fernanda Hunken Herrera, and Servaz van Berkum (host). Music by Mickey Smid.This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/). See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information. 2024-06-2725 min
TownmakingHow is the Internet changing our local cultures (and why we should care)?In the second episode of Townmaking, we discuss with Indranil Bhattacharya how global digital culture is supplanting local cultures and why we should care.This podcast was produced and curated by Indranil Bhattacharya, Omar Zuberi, Fernanda Hunken Herrera, and Servaz van Berkum (host). Music by Mickey Smid.See https://digitalsociety.townmaking.com/ for more about Digital Culture.This podcast is published by the Townmaking Institute under the Next Commons principles (https://nextcommons.townmaking.com/). See https://www.townmaking.com/ for more information.2024-06-2128 min
TownmakingWhy do we need Townmakers?This is the first ever episode of the Townmaking Institute. How can we enable people, organizations, and governments to build and maintain regenerative and healthy environments for everyone? In this podcast series, we explore the Societal Assets and initiatives by the Townmaking Institute and others that envision a shift towards a regenerative and thriving society.In this episode we’ll discuss why Indranil Bhattacharya and Thieu Besselink started the Townmaking Institute. And why we started this series and the meaning of townmaking as a no...2024-06-2028 min
BNR Mobility | BNRSnelheid e-bikes straks aan banden gelegdWaarom is deelscooteraanbieder felyx in Spaanse handen gekomen? We vragen het aan de CEO. En de snelheid van elektrische fietsen begrenzen met ISA (intelligente snelheidsassistentie). Is dat de toekomst? felyx Felyx, aanbieder van de donkergroene deelscooters in twintig steden, wordt onderdeel van het Spaanse Cooltra. Waarom en wat dit voor de toekomst van felyx betekent, bespreken we met CEO Daan Becker. ISA Het begrenzen van de snelheid van elektrische fietsen met ISA (intelligente snelheidsassistentie) is een stap dichterbij. We spreken Paul Timmer, Cycling Corridor Asset Manager bij Townmaking Institute. ...2024-03-1124 min
Podcasts | The Survival PodcastChuck Marohn of StrongTowns.Org on Resilient Communities – Epi-3152Today we are joined by Chuck Marohn of StrongTowns.org to discuss his work in building more resilient towns and cities along with a bottom up approach to restoring and rebuilding American prosperity. Charles Marohn is dedicated to the survival of North American cities. A retired engineer, he’s a national expert on townmaking and transportation design. In 2008, he started a blog called Strong Towns, which identified the causes of decline in our cities and challenged standard municipal management practices. Over time, this publishing effort grew into an international movement of people advocating for rigorous accounting and local leadership that’s respon...2022-08-241h 50