Constructive Voices
Cities
CitiesGreen Buildings in Valencia: Sustainable Architecture & Routes
Green Buildings in Valencia: Sustainable Architecture & Routes Green Buildings in Valencia Valencia City’s Sustainable Buildings in Clusters to Explore By Jackie De Burca, creator, podcaster and author of Salvador Dalí at Home Valencia is not only a green city, but it is also a region – called the Comunidad Valenciana. In 2024, Valencia was […]
Jackie De Burca · 12/3/2025
CitiesElevating the City: How Green Roofs In Rotterdam Combat Urban Heat
Elevating the City: How Green Roofs In Rotterdam Combat Urban Heat Urban heat is a growing concern for city dwellers, with rising temperatures exacerbating the quality of life. Rotterdam, a city in the Netherlands, is taking innovative steps to mitigate this issue. Discover how green roofs in Rotterdam are fighting urban heat. The city is […]
Jackie De Burca · 5/2/2025
Dr. Nadina GalleAddressing the Twin Crises of Urban Growth & Climate Change While Creating Abundant Nature, Health, and Wealth
Addressing the Twin Crises of Urban Growth and Climate Change While Creating Abundant Nature, Health, and Wealth The dual crises of rapid urban growth and climate change are among the most pressing challenges of our time. Cities are expanding at unprecedented rates, with over 55% of the global population now living in urban areas—a figure […]
Jackie De Burca · 10/2/2024
Australia Built EnvironmentReimagining Our Cities: Dr. Julian Bolleter’s Vision for a Greener, More Equitable Urban Future
Reimagining Our Cities: Dr. Julian Bolleter’s Vision for a Greener, More Equitable Urban Future Cities are more than just concrete jungles; they are living, breathing organisms that have the potential to either thrive in harmony with nature or suffocate under the weight of poor planning and environmental neglect. If you’re someone who looks at the […]
Jackie De Burca · 4/29/2024
CitiesRedefining Urban Progress: Exploring Post-Growth City Models
Welcome to our article on post-growth city models, a new approach to urban development that prioritizes sustainability and equity over traditional notions of growth. As cities face increasing challenges related to climate change, social inequality, and economic instability, post-growth city models offer a promising alternative for creating resilient and regenerative urban environments. Conventional urban planning […]
Jackie De Burca · 8/18/2023
CitiesSustainable Urban Futures: How Post-Growth Cities are Leading the Way
Welcome to our exploration of the exciting new concept of post-growth cities and their significance in the context of sustainable urban futures. In this article, we will delve into the importance of sustainable development, green urban planning, and sustainable urbanization in creating environmentally friendly cities. We will also discuss the rise of post-growth cities and […]
Jackie De Burca · 8/18/2023
CitiesBeyond Economic Expansion: The Rise of Post-Growth Urban Paradigms
Welcome to a new era of sustainable urban development. The traditional model of economic expansion at any cost is no longer sustainable. In its place, a new paradigm is emerging, one that prioritizes environmental stewardship, social equity, and quality of life. This new model is known as post-growth urban paradigms. The Rise of Post-Growth Urban […]
Jackie De Burca · 8/18/2023
CitiesCities for Well-Being: A New Era of Post-Growth Urban Development
As our cities continue to grow and expand, there has been a shift towards post-growth urban development that prioritizes well-being and sustainability. This marks a new era in urban planning, one that recognizes the importance of creating cities that are not only economically prosperous but also healthy and happy places to live. With a growing […]
Jackie De Burca · 8/18/2023
CitiesFrom Growth to Flourishing: Innovations in Post-Growth City Planning and Design
Welcome to an exploration of the latest innovations in post-growth city planning and design, where sustainability takes centre stage. As cities continue to expand rapidly, we must shift our focus from growth at all costs to designing urban environments that foster holistic flourishing for both people and the planet. In this article, we’ll delve into […]
Jackie De Burca · 8/18/2023
CitiesThriving in Balance: Designing Post-Growth Cities for People and Planet
Welcome to our article series on sustainable urban planning. In this series, we will explore the concept of post-growth cities and their importance in creating a sustainable future, as well as innovative approaches to urban design that prioritize the well-being of both people and the planet. As the world’s population continues to grow and urbanization […]
Jackie De Burca · 8/18/2023
ArchitectureHow To Deliver Urban Nature-Based Solutions
As cities continue to grow and face numerous challenges, promoting sustainability and creating livable urban environments are becoming more crucial than ever. One effective way to achieve these goals is through urban nature-based solutions. Urban nature-based solutions involve integrating nature into urban settings, including green infrastructure, urban forests, parks, and gardens. By incorporating nature into […]
Jackie De Burca · 7/14/2023
Biodiversity10 Top Cities Leading For Biodiversity in the Built Environment
Welcome to our article on the top 10 cities in the world that are leading the way for biodiversity in the built environment. In today’s world, sustainable urban living has become a necessity, and these cities are making a profound difference in promoting urban biodiversity. In this article about the cities leading for biodiversity, we’ll […]
Jackie De Burca · 7/11/2023
BiodiversityWhat Architecture Increases Biodiversity?
Updated November 2024 Have you ever wondered how architecture can promote biodiversity? There is a growing trend in the design industry to create nature-positive buildings that prioritize environmental sustainability and enhance biodiversity. Nature-positive architecture considers the ecological impact of buildings and aims to create structures that work in harmony with nature. Here is how architecture […]
Jackie De Burca · 7/11/2023
CitiesBrighton Councillor Urges Central Government to be More Ambitious in Their Net Zero Policies and Delivery
Brighton Councillor Urges Central Government to be More Ambitious in Their Net Zero Policies and Delivery Brighton has shown their ambition as a community to become a carbon-neutral city by 2030. They have made significant strides in the battle toward Net-Zero, becoming the leading UK Net-Zero city. Brighton City Council believes that they will only […]
Chloe C · 8/15/2022
CitiesBrighton Leading the Way to a Net Zero Future
Brighton Leading the Way to a Net Zero Future According to multiple reports, Brighton appears to be the UK city that is leading the way to a Net Zero future. The seaside city in East Sussex has so far delivered on its promises to achieve the agenda which was set out by the UN’s Paris […]
Chloe C · 8/12/2022
ArchitectureBiodiversity in the Built Environment
Globally the construction industry accounts for 40% (or 3 billion cubic tons) of raw materials into the economy every year. It is arguably one of the most resource-intensive and environmentally damaging industries in the world. While the focus in the industry has primarily been around decarbonisation and reaching net-zero carbon built environments, we cannot ignore […]
Tara Flanagan · 3/15/2022
ArchitectureCraig Applegath and the Zero-Carbon Mass Timber Project
In 2022 Q2, we will be speaking to Craig Applegath, architect, urban designer, and zero-carbon building pioneer, on the Constructive Voices Podcast. Craig has an impressive career that has seen him internationally recognised for his design and advocacy of zero-carbon regenerative buildings and cities, as well as mass timber design. Training first as a biologist […]
Tara Flanagan · 3/8/2022
ArchitectureResilient Cities: How Can Cities Adapt for Climate Change Effects?
Globally we are seeing the catastrophic effects of climate change. With more frequent, more severe and previously unforeseen events, such as wildfires, hurricanes, flooding and drought, the need for resilient cities, and in particular infrastructure to be redesigned and/or rebuilt for climate resilience, could not be more apparent. What is a Resilient City? According to […]
Tara Flanagan · 3/4/2022
PodcastsEpisode 14: The Importance of Affordable Social Housing with Top Architect, James Mary O'Connor. Pete Talks to Steve About the Global Movement to the Countryside.
Henry Interviews Top Architect James Mary O’Connor Following one of our most important episodes to date, James Mary O’Connor, Principal-in-Charge at Moore Ruble Yudell, talks to Henry McDonald about the importance of affordable social housing and sustainability. We cannot be deciding whether I’m going to do the latest benchmark building here sustainably. I think it […]
James Mary O'Connor · 10/11/2021
ArchitectureEpisode Eleven: Gavin Tonnet of utecture on city-changing urban renewal projects and transformational virtual pre-construction technology. Pete The Builder talks about The Tool Revolution
Henry McDonald interviews Gavin Tonnet of utecture about city-changing urban renewal projects and transformational virtual pre-construction technology. Who is Gavin Tonnet? Gavin is a recognised expert and leader in the property space having created and led businesses for Mirvac, Leighton, Stockland and Japanese giant, Sekisui House. He was responsible for many significant city-changing urban renewal […]
Gavin Tonnet · 8/25/2021
CitiesGavin Tonnet talks about city-changing urban renewal projects and transformational virtual pre-construction technology
Ahead of Gavin’s interview with Henry McDonald which will be broadcast on Episode 12 on 14th September, I caught up for a quick chat with Gavin Tonnet, CEO of utecture. What city-changing urban renewal projects have you been involved in? Involved and led over USD$20b of major renewal. Some of those that really changed and […]
Jackie De Burca · 8/17/2021