Challenger Cities EP44: Your City Isn’t Crowded, It’s Just Full of Cars with Daniel Herriges
aniel Herriges joins us to explore one of the most underestimated levers for better cities: parking reform. A longtime Strong Towns writer and co-author of Escaping the Housing Trap, Daniel explains how the post-war American obsession with car storage has quietly shaped—and often strangled—urban life.From zoning codes that make beloved main streets illegal, to the $127 billion annual subsidy for “free” parking, Herriges walks through the cultural, financial, and environmental costs of designing places around peak car demand. But more importantly, he makes a compelling case for a bottom-up approach to urban change: one that values small bets, local agency, and a return to permission-based development.This is not a podcast about technical policy. It’s about rediscovering momentum. And why cities that want to become more livable, walkable, and resilient need to focus on being more interestingly, less wrong.💬 In This Episode: – Why parking is the “dark matter” of North American cities – The hidden cost of “free” parking – How zoning codes ban the kinds of places people love – Why most people don’t hate new neighbours—they hate traffic – The importance of small-scale experimentation – Why “let people do things” might be the best policy of all – How bottom-up momentum outperforms masterplans – Reframing density for public understanding – The power of getting it less wrong over time
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Challenger Cities EP43: Daring To Be Different with Andy Nulman
Andy Nulman is a man who’s seen Montreal through every era — and he’s not afraid to call out what’s gone wrong. In this no-holds-barred conversation, the Just for Laughs co-founder shares his frustrations with small-minded politics, lost ambition, and a city that’s forgotten how to dream big. We talk about Montreal’s golden ages, its identity crisis, and what it would take to fix the city’s flow, literally and metaphorically.From language laws to bike lanes, bad branding to bold leadership, this episode is about what happens when cities stop being bold … and how to bring the swagger back.
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Challenger Cities EP42: Hauling Towards the Future with Michael Wexler
TakeawaysMichael Wexler's journey into urbanism began unexpectedly.He transitioned from cycling-focused projects to broader transit planning.Cargo bikes represent a gap in North American urban mobility.Infrastructure is crucial for increasing cycling and cargo bike usage.Copenhagen's cycling culture serves as an inspiration for Montreal.Mulo aims to fill the cargo bike market gap in Montreal.Community partnerships are essential for Mulo's success.E-bikes have transformed the cargo bike experience.The political landscape significantly impacts urban mobility initiatives.A multi-faceted approach is needed for sustainable urban transportation.SummaryIn this conversation, Michael Wexler shares his unique journey into urbanism, highlighting his experiences with cycling infrastructure and transit planning. He discusses the rise of cargo bikes as a sustainable urban mobility solution, the cultural differences in their adoption, and the importance of infrastructure in promoting cycling. Wexler emphasizes the need for community engagement and local partnerships in launching initiatives like Mulo, Montreal's first cargo bike share system. He also addresses the challenges of urban transit and the political landscape affecting mobility projects, ultimately advocating for a multi-faceted approach to creating better urban environments.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Michael Wexler02:47 Transitioning from Cycling to Transit Planning05:59 The Rise of Cargo Bikes in Urban Mobility09:11 Cultural Differences in Cargo Bike Adoption11:56 Infrastructure and Its Impact on Cycling15:03 Encouraging the Use of Cargo Bikes18:07 Types of Cargo Bikes and Their Uses20:57 Mulo's Initial Launch and Community Engagement23:42 Future Aspirations and Expansion Plans27:03 Operational Challenges and Solutions29:56 The Role of E-Bikes in Urban Mobility32:50 The Importance of Local Partnerships36:08 The Future of Cargo Bikes in Urban Areas38:56 The Need for Better Transit Systems42:02 The Political Landscape of Urban Mobility44:54 The Vision for a Better Urban Future47:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Challenger Cities EP41: Cities in Limbo with Diana Lind
Exploring Urban Evolution with Diana LindJoin host Iain Montgomery in a captivating conversation with Diana Lind, renowned urbanist and author, as they delve into the complexities of modern cities. From the challenges of zoning reform to the potential of urban public education, this episode offers a thoughtful exploration of how cities can transform and thrive.Key Topics:The evolution of cities post-pandemic The role of Starbucks in urban development Zoning reform and its impact on housing The concept of co-living and its future The importance of urban public educationGuest: Diana Lind, author of "Brave New Home" and writer of "The New Urban Order" on Substack.Don't miss this insightful discussion on the future of urban living. Subscribe now to the Challenger Cities podcast for more engaging episodes.#Urbanism #CityPlanning #ZoningReform #PublicEducation #Podcast
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Challenger Cities EP40: Hovering Above the Status Quo with Erika Potrz
What if commuting from Niagara to Toronto didn’t mean hours in traffic or waiting on a slow, infrequent train? Erika Potrz thinks there’s a better way, and it involves a military‑grade hovercraft gliding across Lake Ontario in just 30 minutes.In this episode, we talk about why Hoverlink could change more than just the QEW commute: from making travel joyful again (yes, DJs on board), to giving people their time back, to rethinking the connection between transport, tourism, and housing. Erika also shares her “magic wand” for making Canada bolder about big ideas and why sometimes, it takes an unconventional outsider to get things moving.This isn’t just a ferry service. It’s a challenge to the way Ontario thinks about mobility, growth, and what’s possible.
Iain Montgomery of Now or Never Ventures interviews urbanists, creatives, transit and development types to explore how cities can punch above their weight and create distinctive new futures outside of the tired playbooks.
New Zealand