The Urbanista

Hosted by Uponor

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Feb 2025

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About the show

The podcast for urban designers and city planners who want to know more about city water management and sustainable urban development.

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46 recent

February 28, 2025Episode 1138 min

35. How can data-driven solutions help tackle water loss?

We often take clean water for granted, but ensuring its availability is a growing challenge. In this episode, Maximilian Oberndoerfer, Product Manager at Diehl Metering, shares insights into water scarcity and how utilities can reduce water loss.🔹 Water scarcity on the rise – real-world challenges from France and Denmark🔹 10-Minute Analysis – a quick, data-driven approach to detect and address water loss🔹 Case study: Brønderslev, Denmark – reducing water loss from 14% to 4.5%🔹 The role of digitalization and AI in water managementLearn how smart monitoring and data-driven solutions can safeguard our water supply!Read more about what Diehl Metering offers: https://www.diehl.com/metering/en/products-solutions/solutions/leckagen-frueher-erkennen-wasserverluste-effektiv-reduzieren/Webinar: https://smartwatermagazine.com/how-can-data-reduce-water-losses-half-discover-bronderslev-forsyning-experience-denmark-alongsideReal time leak-detection: https://www.diehl.com/metering/en/press-media/press-room/news/leak-detection-improved-diehl-metering-acquires-preventio/Connect with Maximilian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximilian-obernd%C3%B6rfer-b6781b141/?locale=en_US Thank you Urbanistas for listening! The Urbanista is a production of Uponor Infra Oy, produced and edited in sunny Helsinki by Sara Söderström.

February 14, 2025Episode 1033 min

34. Why Do We Treat Stormwater, and How Do We Do It?

In this episode, we speak with Talat Satilmisoglu, a PhD student and stormwater treatment researcher at GF Piping Systems. Talat shares insights into current stormwater treatment methods and explores how combining different methods like could pave the way for more effective solutions.Learn more about Talat's research: https://www.ltu.se/en/research/research-subjects/urban-water-engineering/research-projects/stormwater/research-on-stormwater/2024-06-19-transnational-access-project-standard-for-stormwater-management-in-sweden-2024-2025Connect with Talat: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talat-satilmisoglu-1b9582152/Thank you Urbanistas for listening!The Urbanista is a production of Uponor Infra Oy, produced and edited in sunny Helsinki by Sara Söderström

January 31, 2025Episode 946 min

33. Do age and background shape how sustainable you are?

In this episode, we talk to Tom Tamlander, a research scientist at VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland), about how consumer behavior drives sustainability transitions.He explores key enablers and barriers—capability, opportunity, and motivation—that shape ‘readiness’ for change. Insights include sustainability attitudes across demographics, from eco-conscious ‘boomer women’ to younger families striving for greener habits.We also discuss digital product labelling, sustainable health tech, and circular fashion, plus how tailored messaging can make sustainability mainstream.🎧 Listen now!Connect with Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-tamlander-25aabbaa/The Urbanista is a production of Uponor Infra Oy, produced and edited in sunny Helsinki by Sara Söderström.

January 17, 2025Episode 83 min

Infra Stories 11: Innovative Stormwater Solutions in Hjallerup, Denmark

In this episode, we take a look at how Hjallerup, Denmark, is leading the way in stormwater management. The town is using Uponor Infra’s Vortex stormwater chambers to make water purification more effective, cut down on maintenance, and support a more sustainable future.

December 13, 2024Episode 74 min

Infra Stories 10: Helsinki Relies on FastGuard Cable Protectors to Secure Metro’s Electrical System

In this episode of Infra Stories, we share the story of a major electrical upgrade on Helsinki’s Eastern metro line. Using Uponor’s FastGuard cable protectors, the team tackled challenges like tight spaces, tough weather, and strict safety rules to secure 2.5 kilometers of medium-voltage cables. FastGuard’s durable and easy-to-install design allowed the team to lay 600 meters of piping each night, creating a safer and more reliable system ready for metro trains running every 100 seconds. This successful project highlights how innovation and teamwork can lead to smarter, more efficient solutions for infrastructure challenges.

November 29, 2024Episode 64 min

INFRA STORIES 9: Reservoir Tanks Solve Water Supply Challenges in Levi, Finland

In this episode, we explore the 2024 renovation of the Kirakka water intake plant in Levi, one of Finland’s most popular winter holiday destinations and the annual host of the Alpine Skiing World Cup. Managed by Levi Water Supply and powered by Uponor’s advanced Flowise solutions, this project highlights how tailored infrastructure is addressing the challenges of seasonal water demand in a region that attracts over 600,000 visitors each year. Learn how these upgrades are securing Levi’s drinking water supply and reinforcing its status as a premier winter tourist destination.

November 15, 2024Episode 538 min

32. Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSRD) Update: Why Acting Now Is Critical

In this episode of The Urbanista, we dive into the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) with sustainability expert Ella Tanskanen from Greenstep. Ella gives us an update about current CSRD topics: what CSRD means for companies, the importance of double materiality, mapping your value chain, and essential steps for CSRD compliance. Whether you're in a large corporation or a smaller business preparing for future requirements, this episode has insights to help you navigate CSRD effectively.Topics Covered: • CSRD Basics: What it is and who it impacts• Double Materiality: Inside-out and outside-in perspectives• Key Steps: Value chain assessment, gap analysis, and data collection• Compliance Tips: Balancing internal resources and external expertiseKey Takeaway: Start early, engage a cross-functional team, and remember that CSRD can also improve brand value and employee engagement.Connect with Ella on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-tanskanen-221415a4/?originalSubdomain=fiThank you Urbanistas for listening! The Urbanista is a production of Uponor Infra Oy, produced and edited in sunny Helsinki by Sara Söderström.

November 1, 2024Episode 43 min

INFRA STORIES 8. Innovative Stormwater Management: Case Espoo

In this episode of Infra Stories, we dive into Espoo’s pioneering stormwater management project in collaboration with Ramboll Finland. Espoo leads the way as the first city in Finland to install the Uponor Vortex Stormwater Separation Chamber, a cutting-edge solution to address urban flood risks and reduce maintenance costs amid rapid development and climate change.Installed at a high-flood-risk site in Espoo, the chamber uses centrifugal force to keep debris out of water systems, minimizing maintenance requirements. As rainfall intensity increases, this innovation positions Espoo as a leader in resilient urban planning.Tune in to discover how this groundbreaking solution sets a new standard for sustainable stormwater infrastructure.Infra Stories is a segment of The Urbanista podcast, where we explore impactful infrastructure stories from across the Nordics, showcasing innovation and sustainable solutions that make a difference in local communities.Thank you, Urbanistas, for listening to our stories!The Urbanista is a production of Uponor Infra Oy, produced and edited in Helsinki by Sara Söderström.

October 18, 2024Episode 347 min

31. Water Utilities Face Climate Whiplash & Workforce Challenges I GWI News ep. 3

Welcome to The Urbanista, the podcast for urban designers and city planners, where we discuss city water management and sustainable urban development.GWI News is a segment on The Urbanista podcast, brought to you in collaboration with Global Water Intelligence (GWI)—the leading publisher and events organizer for the global water industry. For the latest news, insights, and upcoming events in the water sector, visit globalwaterintel.com.News we discussed:Climate change: Utilities are grappling with "climate whiplash," where alternating droughts and extreme storms demand greater resilience and long-term infrastructure investments.Customer engagement: As climate disasters and emerging contaminants put water utilities in the spotlight, building customer trust and strengthening engagement have become more critical than ever.Workforce challenges: The impending "silver tsunami" of retirements, coupled with the need for new technological skill sets, is fueling concerns around talent recruitment and retention.Additionally, we discussed how Ukrainian utilities are navigating the conflict's impact and highlighted an innovative initiative where wastewater is used to heat an IKEA store.More information about these news on: https://www.globalwaterintel.com/ Listen to The Water Leaders Pod or check out the Ukraine episode Connect with Tallulah Lutkin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tallulah-lutkin-5b110a10a/ Thank you Urbanistas for listening! The Urbanista is a production of Uponor Infra Oy, produced and edited in sunny Helsinki by Sara Söderström.

October 4, 2024Episode 246 min

30. Unlocking AI’s Potential in Urban Design: Practical Insights for City Planners

In this episode, we talk to Damiano Cerrone, co-founder of the UrbanistAI platform, about how AI is transforming urban design and planning. With a background in research and a passion for participatory design, Damiano brings a unique perspective on how generative AI can be used to co-create the future of our cities. He shares insights on how AI can facilitate collaboration among stakeholders, speed up decision-making, and enhance public involvement in urban planning. Join us as we explore the possibilities and challenges of integrating AI into the design process of our urban environments. Connect with Damiano https://www.linkedin.com/in/damianocerrone/Learn more about UrbanistAI https://site.urbanistai.com/Thank you Urbanistas for listening!The Urbanista is a production of Uponor Infra Oy, produced and edited in sunny Helsinki by Sara Söderström