In this inspiring 19-minute episode of Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca is joined by the incredible Sangeeta Waldron, a PR expert and celebrated author, for a deep dive into the vibrant community of Enfield, North London. Together, they explore how this unique borough has blended nature, sustainability, and innovation to create a thriving urban ecosystem that stands as a model for other communities.

From the rewilding initiatives at Forty Hall Estate to the innovative transformation of the Living Room Library, Sangeeta paints a vivid picture of how Enfield embraces sustainability while fostering a strong sense of community. She also highlights the crucial role of local media, the surprising biodiversity of the area, and how nature’s wisdom can guide us toward a more balanced way of living.

Tune in for a conversation that’s as enlightening as it is heartwarming, filled with real-world examples of how urban and natural worlds can harmoniously coexist.

• Discovering Forty Hall Estate:
  Learn about the rewilding of beavers, free-grazing red poll cows, and how technology like QR codes helps locals live side-by-side with nature.

• The Living Room Library in Edmonton:
  A stunning example of urban regeneration, where two old garages were transformed into a sustainable library and community hub.

• Why Local Media Matters:
  How Enfield’s Dispatch newspaper keeps the community informed and counters misinformation in an age of digital overload.

• Sangeeta’s Perspective on Sustainability:
  Insights from her books, including Corporate Social Responsibility is Not Public Relations and her upcoming release, What Will Your Legacy Be?

• “It takes a village to raise a child. I really believe it takes a community to do that and to do more.” – Sangeeta Waldron
• “Nature has thought of everything to keep everything in place and in balance. It’s just us who’ve gone in and disrupted everything because we don’t know.” – Sangeeta Waldron
• “Local newspapers and local media are the backbone of communities. They counteract misinformation and are a place where communities go for real, authentic news.” – Sangeeta Waldron

This bonus episode features a 12-minute excerpt from a 2021 interview with Professor Michael Parkinson, renowned for his work on urban regeneration, particularly in Liverpool. He discusses Liverpool's transformation from a city on the brink of collapse in the 1980s to one experiencing a significant Renaissance. He is interviewed by the late author and Guardian journalist, Henry McDonald.

Key factors for this recovery include:

• A shift in local leadership and collaboration between the private and public sectors.
• Substantial investment from the European Union and key private investors like the Duke of Westminster.
• The success of initiatives such as Liverpool One and the European Capital of Culture in 2008.
• Ongoing challenges in economic and social issues, particularly in neglected areas like North Liverpool.
• Exciting new developments, including Everton FC's plans for a sustainable stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, aiming to revitalize the city’s northern waterfront.

1. On Liverpool's Transformation:

   • “Liverpool went from this culture of failure to a culture of success.”
   • “Europe took a risk and invested in Liverpool when national government wouldn’t.”

2. On Collaboration and Leadership:

   • “30 years ago, the private and public sectors were at odds. That’s changed. Now we have much more of a partnership approach.”
   • “The Labour government’s investment in cities, along with local leadership, helped reposition Liverpool.”

3. On European Influence:

   • “European money in the 1990s made the difference between Liverpool collapsing and recovering – €1.4 billion over 10 years.”

4. On Everton’s Stadium Development:

   • “It would transform the worst part of the waterfront… and tie that part of the city back into the city center.”
   • “This project is hugely symbolic, culturally significant, and exciting.”

5. On Liverpool’s Resilience:

   • “It had a very good boom and quite a decent bust. Liverpool didn’t go as far backwards during austerity as it could have.”

6. On the Waterfront:

   • “The river made Liverpool the richest city in the greatest empire outside of London. And for 30 years, Liverpool turned its back to it.”

7. Closing Reflection:

   • “Liverpool is the pool of life. It makes to live.” – Carl Jung.

These quotes and insights highlight Liverpool's unique journey of urban regeneration and the blend of local, national, and European efforts that fueled its recovery.

“The real problems we have with cavity wall insulation is it’s been installed in the wrong geographical locations, in the wrong type of housing stock.” – Damian Mercer

In this eye-opening episode of Constructive Voices, host Steve Randall dives into the critical topic of cavity wall insulation with expert guest Damian Mercer, Owner and Director of Cavity Extraction Ltd.

While cavity wall insulation is designed to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints, its failure in millions of UK homes has led to a cascade of issues including damp, mould, financial strain, and even health problems. Could this be a national scandal in the making?

“Nature has a calming and restorative effect. It can improve our mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being—it’s not just a luxury; it’s essential.”– Dr Nadina Galle

In the final part of this enlightening series, Jackie de Burca sits down with ecological engineer and National Geographic Explorer Nadina Galle to discuss the transformative power of nature. From understanding how nature heals our bodies and minds to innovative practices like forest therapy and urban tree email campaigns, this episode is brimming with hope and practical insights.

Nadina shares deeply personal reflections from her book, The Nature of Our Cities, and offers actionable advice on integrating nature into our daily lives—whether in sprawling forests or a single urban tree. For anyone seeking inspiration and strategies to reconnect with nature, this is a must-listen episode.

“Urban nature isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a daily lifeline for biodiversity, human health, and climate resilience.” – Host, Jackie De Burca

Welcome to the third episode in our special series featuring Nadina Galle, ecological engineer, 2024 National Geographic Explorer, and author of The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet.

Host Jackie De Burca dives into the tools, technologies, and innovations reshaping urban nature management, inspired by Nadina’s book.

In this episode, Nadina tackles:

• Plant Blindness: What it is, why it’s a societal trend, and how it impacts our connection to nature.
• Insect Biodiversity Monitoring: Discover the groundbreaking Diopsis camera, designed to measure flying insect populations and assess biodiversity interventions.
• Urban Evolution: Mind-blowing examples of species adapting to city life, from lighter-colored snails to higher-pitched crows and city-savvy squirrels.
• Citizen Science at Scale: Learn about global movements like the City Nature Challenge and innovative apps like EarthSnap and Merlin, which empower everyday people to connect with and document urban biodiversity.

In this engaging second installment with Nadina Galle, on Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca delves into the fascinating world of urban nature and environmental technology with Nadina, an ecological engineer and National Geographic explorer, widely recognised for her contributions to BBC Earth and National Geographic, and most recently, for her acclaimed book The Nature of Our Cities. This episode uncovers powerful insights into reimagining our urban spaces to foster harmony between human development and the natural world.

Together, Jackie and Nadina explore the concept of balance, inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine’s five elements, and its applications to urban ecology. They discuss the critical role of trees in cities, diving into the revolutionary technology of tree inventories, LIDAR mapping, and how tools like Tree Tracker are shaping modern urban forestry.

“We have gone too far towards the asphalt, the concrete, the built environment and we’ve strayed too far away from the natural environment.” – Dr. Nadina Galle

From the groundbreaking “Room for the River” initiative in the Netherlands to the visionary water management efforts of Chicago’s green infrastructure projects, this episode brings a global perspective on sustainable urban solutions.

Nadina and Jackie also tackle critical climate challenges, including wildfire prevention and innovations like BurnBot and Watch Duty, alongside nature-inspired strategies to prevent urban flooding.

Main feature photo credit: Roger Cremers for National Geographic

In this thought-provoking episode of Constructive Voices, host Jackie De Burca sits down with the remarkable Dr. Nadina Galle, a Dutch-Canadian ecological engineer, technologist, and the author of the new book The Nature of Our Cities: Harnessing the Power of the Natural World to Survive a Changing Planet. Dr. Galle brings her expertise to discuss the essential and evolving relationship between humanity, technology, and the environment.

“I argue that nature is the fifth pillar of health, alongside sleep, diet, exercise, and stress reduction.” – Dr. Nadina Galle

Jackie introduces the stormy setting of Spain, which perfectly segues into Dr. Galle’s groundbreaking work. Dr. Galle passionately shares her insights on the disconnect between people and nature in urban environments, describing how modern living has t...

“The goal has always been, how can we do this better? We live in Colorado with extreme weather, and the world was working off a European greenhouse model that didn’t fit our environment. So, we set out to design something different, something more efficient and resilient.” – Josh Holleb, Ceres

In this episode, Josh takes us on a journey through his experience in greenhouse design, sustainability, and his vision for a more efficient, sustainable world through innovative agriculture.

Ceres Kites Nest

Guest Introduction: Our guest, Josh Holleb, joins us all the way from Boulder, Colorado, where he’s up at what I fondly call “ridiculous o’clock” to be part of today’s discussion. Josh has a fascinating background, from working on organic farms to pioneering efficient greenhouse solutions.

His mission is clear: to design greenhouses that not only grow plants but also create a healthier future for us all. He’ll be sharing insights about his journey, the evolution of his company, and the pivotal role Ceres Greenhouse Solutio...