Architecture & Urban Planning
Buildings, cities, structural engineering, transit, and the built environment
#935: How Do You Move 2,000 Patients Out of a Parking Garage?
When the sirens stop, the work begins. Explore the complex "failback" process of moving an entire hospital from a bunker back to the surface.
#908: Why Did We Forget How to Build Cheap Subways?
Why does a mile of subway cost billions today? Herman and Corn explore the hidden complexities and rising costs of modern urban transit.
#827: When Military Tunnel Tech Maps the City Below
Explore the cutting-edge technology used to map the hidden world beneath our feet, from military tunnels to urban infrastructure.
#793: Ninety Seconds to Choose: How to Pick a Building During a Siren
Learn the structural engineering secrets behind why stairwells and specific floors offer the best protection during an urban emergency.
#754: Can Trackless Trams and Mesh Networks Kill the Traffic Jam?
Are electric vehicles just a temporary fix? Explore how autonomous mesh networks and public transit could create a truly car-free future.
#737: The Physics of Quiet: Engineering Soundproofing for Urban Life
Tired of city noise invading your home? Discover the science of acoustic windows and why egg cartons won't save your sleep.
#736: When Streetlights Hijack Your Sleep Clock
Are harsh streetlights ruining your sleep? Explore the science of why cities are switching to red and amber lighting for better health.
#638: When Buildings Heal Your Nervous System
Can a building actually heal your nervous system? Discover how neuro-design uses science to create spaces that reduce stress and spark creativity.
#615: Beyond the Vibe: How Experts Rank Public Transport
Explore the professional yardsticks used to rank global transit, from reliability metrics to the psychology of ticket inspectors.
#611: Jerusalem’s Light Rail: Public Transit or Private Power?
Corn and Herman explore the aggressive "enforcement theater" on Jerusalem’s light rail and how residents can organize against systemic harassment.
#602: Seismic Shifts: Can Israel Withstand the Big One?
Are Israel's old buildings ready for the Big One? Explore the engineering of Tama 38 and how safe rooms provide a hidden seismic spine.
#592: When Experts Run Things: The Technocrat vs. Politician Debate
Does a Minister of Health need to be a doctor? Explore the high-stakes tension between technical expertise and political leadership.
#575: The End of the Car: Can We Really Quit Private Transport?
Is the private car a failed experiment? Herman and Corn discuss why EVs aren't enough and how we can design cities for people, not machines.
#573: The Tightrope of Mixed-Use Zoning
Explore how mixed-use zoning is transforming sterile suburbs into vibrant 15-minute cities. Herman and Corn dive into the future of urban living.
#572: Cracking the Code: How Zoning and Policy Shape Our Cities
Why do our cities look the way they do? Herman and Corn dive into the invisible codes, taxes, and global models that define the urban landscape.
#571: Density Without Stress: Building the Perfect City
Explore how "Hermanville" redefines urban density through acoustic architecture, mid-rise blocks, and car-free centers.
#547: The Thirst Tax: When Water Becomes a Luxury
Why is it so hard to find a drink in Jerusalem? Herman and Corn explore the history, economics, and public health of urban water access.
#531: The Hard-Nosed Reality of Vertical Farming
Herman and Corn explore the reality of vertical farming, from Singapore’s high-tech towers to the structural limits of growing food in cities.
#504: How to Start Thinking Like an Urbanist
Tired of "sidewalks to nowhere"? Learn the principles of good urbanism and how to advocate for a more walkable, resilient community.
#503: Dignity in the Golden Years: Vienna’s Housing Safety Net
Discover how Vienna’s social housing system ensures that elderly renters are never forgotten through proactive care and legal protections.