128: On bikes, the Olympics, & the Transforming City with Brent Longley

The New Paris Podcast

There’s nothing like leaving Paris for a short time to reset perspectives. I’ve recently returned from 10 days in New York and the Philadelphia region and I was struck by how worn and behind both destinations felt. Part of that is lingering socio-economic impact of the pandemic, and part of it may be insufficient funds devoted to much-needed improvements to public services and transportation. It only served to amplify how good we have it in Paris where major infrastructural investment and urban rehabilitation policies have shaped the city. To talk about this, I'm joined by my friend Brent Longley, an urbanist who moved to Paris a year ago with fervent support for Mayor Hidalgo and her transformative policies. We discuss Paris as a global leader in urban transformation, the opposition that still exists to some of the changes underway, and where the Olympics fits into the equation of a sustainable metropolis.

Mentioned in this episode:

Brent Longley, urbanist

The Tryphena Project, Brent's newsletter

Infill architecture

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Audio production & editing: Matthew Jordan

⁠Music by Little Glass Men