Sustainable Futures: Designing Green Communities and Buildings

Hosted by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities

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Apr 2026

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Sustainable Futures: Designing Green Communities and Buildings explores the many ways we can utilize the natural world and nature based solutions to combat climate change, enhance resilience, and improve communities

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28 recent

April 29, 2026Episode 291 hr 8 min

Episode 29 - Reconnecting With Nature in Cities Using the Internet of Nature with Nadina Galle

In this episode of the Sustainable Futures Podcast, Steven Peck sits down with ecological engineer, author, and National Geographic Explorer Nadina Galle to discuss the future of greener, healthier cities. From the “Internet of Nature” to citizen science apps, biodiversity monitoring, and green roofs, Nadina explores how technology can strengthen our connection to the natural world. She unpacks why nature is essential infrastructure, how urban design impacts human wellbeing, and what cities can do to create more resilient communities in the face of climate change.

January 20, 2026Episode 2844 min

Episode 28 - The Evolution of Green Roofs with Linda Velazquez

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with green roof designer, advocate, and industry pioneer Linda S. Velazquez, founder and publisher of Greenroofs.com. Linda reflects on first encountering green roofs in the late 1990s, the early days of the Green Roof Professional accreditation, and how the industry has evolved over the past 25 years. Drawing from her global project database and decades of experience, she shares insights on innovation, emerging trends, market expansion, and what the future holds for green roofs and green walls in North America and beyond. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, legacy, and the next chapter of living architecture.

October 20, 2025Episode 2752 min

Episode 27 - Exploring the Healing Power of Nature With Clare Cooper Marcus

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with the luminary planner and researcher Clare Cooper Marcus. Clare is a prominent educator in landscape architecture and architecture and a pioneer in the field of social issues in housing, open space design, and healing landscapes. She is an author and co-author of a number of books and research studies; a multi-award winner; and a tireless advocate for the importance of place in the realm of health and wellbeing. Join us for a conversation on the powerful impact connections with the natural world can have on our physical and mental wellbeing, and how design can affect and influence how we live, work, play, and grow.

October 1, 2025Episode 2642 min

Episode 26 - Growing Children’s Connections with Nature with Laura Mylan

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with award-winning communicator and seasoned nonprofit executive Laura Mylan, the Chief Strategy Officer of the Children and Nature Network. Laura is a passionate advocate for enhancing children’s access to nature and natural spaces to live and play in across the United States. She draws upon her wealth of experience to facilitate connections and lead the way in ensuring that all children have safe and equitable spaces in which to engage with nature to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing. Join us for a conversation on the powerful impact nature has on our and our children’s development and mentality, and what her organization is doing to support citizens and educators in new and interesting ways to facilitate connections with the natural world.

August 14, 2025Episode 2549 min

Episode 25 - Greening the Way Forward with Dr. Karen Liu

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with researcher, educator, design consultant, and long-time green roof expert Dr. Karen Liu of Next Level Stormwater Management. Karen has worn many hats over the course of her illustrious career playing key roles in green roof research; technical standard development; and design projects across the globe. She has applied her extensive expertise on all things green roofs to guide decisions that enhance performance, maximize co-benefits, and achieve tangible results for clients as well as engaging the next generation of designers and installers to secure the future of the field. Join us for a conversation on water management, extreme heat, and the importance of connecting with natural spaces through green infrastructure.

June 25, 2025Episode 2450 min

Episode 24 - Addressing Urban Heat Islands with Grace Wickerson

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with science communicator, policy advocate, and scientist Grace Wickerson of the Federation of American Scientists. Grace works to connect the dots between climate science and resilience and policy initiatives that directly impact human lives, health, and wellbeing. She is a champion of human and environmental health, and the ways in which they intersect, advocating for science and data based policy solutions to the climate crisis. Join us for a conversation on extreme heat, the importance of science communication, and ways in which FAS is trying to improve our communities.

March 27, 2025Episode 2254 min

Episode 22 - Bringing Up The Crops with August Stubler

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with rooftop farmer and sustainable food systems advocate August Stubler, who oversees the operations of the Blackwood Educational Land Institute’s Skyfarm at POST Houston. August has a passion for connecting communities with sustainable, local food and uses the farm to further that passion by exploring what is possible on a 1 acre plot of rooftop in downtown Houston, Texas. Through the Skyfarm, they are pushing the boundaries of rooftop food production and exploring how to develop sustainable, resilient food systems for Southeastern Texas. Join us for a conversation on the importance of connecting with food production and bringing farming into the city.

January 23, 2025Episode 2155 min

Episode 21 - Getting Deep in the Soil with Molly Meyer

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with pioneer and self-proclaimed soil nerd Molly Meyer, founder and CEO of Omni Ecosystems out of Chicago. Molly’s started Omni Ecosystems with the goal of democratizing nature, a vision of creating sustainable spaces and products that serve everyone and support broader ecosystems. With that goal, Molly and their team at Omni have worked tirelessly to tune the Omni Infinity Media, a lightweight, high porosity growing media that supports both plants and microbial networks to recreate whole ecosystems that are resilient, versatile, and affordable. With an emphasis and passion for soil sciences and dynamics, they are looking at ways not just to mitigate the impacts of the built environment, but to leverage constructed ecosystems to eliminate the impacts of the development industry entirely, allowing urban communities and natural ecosystems to coexist. Join us for a conversation on how Omni is taking a deep dive into the soil to better understand the world beneath our feet.

December 18, 2024Episode 201 hr 8 min

Episode 20 - Modeling Inclusive Urban Revitalization with Mitchell Cohen

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with activist, developer, and President of the Daniels Corporation Mitchell Cohen, as he details his work in the redevelopment of the critically underserved and disadvantaged Toronto community of Regent Park. Mitchell shares his experiences working in community development in Montreal, and how that eventually led him to spearhead the $1.5 billion revitalization project. Through an emphasis on affordability, community preservation, and resilience, his work in Regent Park has transformed the neighborhood from one of neglect and inattention to a thriving and inclusive community with deep connections to history and place for those who live there, fulfilling a 75 year vision for the community. Join us for a conversation on how affordability and preservation can be prioritized while growing our communities for the future of urban growth.You can find Mitchell’s book Rhythms of Change - Reflections on the Regent Park Revitalization at all major retailers.

December 2, 2024Episode 191 hr 12 min

Episode 19 - Intersecting Ecological and Human Health with Kathleen Wolf

In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a Dr. Kathleen Wolf, researcher and social scientist specializing in the intersection of nature and human health and wellbeing. Dr. Wolf focused her research on the human dimensions of urban forestry and urban green space, in particular studying nearby nature experiences and human health response. She has numerous publications to her name, aimed at building better knowledge of the social and psychological benefits that city trees and nearby nature provide, and sharing that across non-traditional audiences, including business, public health, medicine, and urban planning. Today, although semi-retired she continues to be active in research and science outreach, looking at ways in which the human experience is enhanced through the natural systems around us. Join us for a conversation on how human health responds to the natural world, and the ways in which we can incorporate those impacts into our design process.

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