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48. Nature, Neuroscience, and Burnout: How Parks Heal Our Brains with Lance Burdett
What happens inside the brain when we step into a park, hear birdsong, or simply look at a tree? And what does this mean not just for the public, but for the people who work in parks every day?In this episode of PodParks, host Maria Burnett speaks with Lance Burdett, former national crisis negotiator for the New Zealand Police and now a leading specialist in resilience, stress, and brain health. Drawing on neuroscience, brain-imaging research, and decades of experience in high-pressure environments, Lance explains why nature calms the amygdala, how diversity in landscapes supports neuroplasticity, and why even 15 minutes outdoors can reset our stress systems.But this conversation goes further than the benefits of parks for communities. Together, Maria and Lance explore the wellbeing of the parks workforce itself: a passionate, often under-resourced group at high risk of burnout. Lance breaks down practical, evidence-based habits that park professionals can use to protect their mental health, boost cognitive clarity, and stay grounded in a demanding sector.Highlights include:How natural environments calm the fight-or-flight systemWhy sensory stimulation from nature boosts cognitive functionThe difference between burnout and physical fatigue, and why thinking is the real danger zoneTangible, science-backed practices for lowering cortisol and improving sleepWhy planners must prioritise green access in urban developmentHow leaders can support mentally healthy workplaces in the parks sectorWhether you’re a ranger, planner, designer, manager, volunteer, or someone passionate about how parks shape wellbeing, this episode offers both brain science and grounded, practical tools to help you thrive in your work and life.Featured Guests Lance Burdett, General Export Manager, WARN International🔗LinkedIn🔗FacebookFeedback🎧 Give feedback on this episode here.Or if you’d like to share your perspectives or stories about this episode, or contact us for any reason, you can email Maria Burnett (host) and the team at [email protected]. About PodParksPodParks is the official podcast of World Urban Parks. Hosted by Maria Burnett, each episode shares real stories and bold ideas from the people making parks, public space, and urban nature more inclusive, innovative, and essential.🎙️ Meet the PodParks TeamMaria Burnett | Luis Romahn | Vitoria Martín Delgado | Vladimir Yañez Huehpa|
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47. Public Health Meets Parks with Humera Sultan
How might our cities change if we planned parks with public health at the centre of every decision?In this episode, host Maria Burnett speaks with Humera Sultan, a Consultant in Public Health at Birmingham City Council and a National Institute of Health Research Doctoral Research Fellow. Humera brings a health focused perspective to nature planning, shaped through her work leading the Naturally Birmingham project and contributing to the city’s 25 year City of Nature Plan.Humera shares how public health tools, community insights and long term thinking can help cities design greener and healthier environments. She also discusses her PhD research, which explores how funding for Birmingham’s more than 400 parks has changed from 2013 to 2024, and what this means for equity, access and community wellbeing.This conversation highlights the value of cross agency collaboration, the importance of evidence in nature planning and the role of green spaces in supporting mental health, physical activity and social connection.Highlights include:How public health perspectives can strengthen citywide nature planningWhat Birmingham learned while creating its 25 year City of Nature PlanInsights from Humera’s research into funding, equity and park qualityThe relationship between green space and community wellbeingWhy partnerships across sectors lead to stronger long term outcomesWhether you work in health, planning, or park management, this conversation offers a new perspective on why nature belongs at the centre of every wellbeing strategy.\Resources🔗Connecting health and green spaces through Movement Data | ActiveXchange🔗 Environmental Justice Webinar 20211123 130439 Meeting Recording🔗Sultan H, Grayson N, Jones S, Pike D, Greenham S, Needle D, Sadler J, Frew E. Green space and environmental justice—a new metric to guide resource allocation in improving the amount and quality of green space. TCP Journal 2023. 92 (6). Available at Nov-Dec23.pdfFeatured Guests Humera Sultan, Consultant in Public Health at Birmingham City Council and NIHR Doctoral Local Authority FellowFeedback🎧 Give feedback on this episode here.Or if you’d like to share your perspectives or stories about this episode, or contact us for any reason, you can email Maria Burnett (host) and the team at [email protected]. About PodParksPodParks is the official podcast of World Urban Parks. Hosted by Maria Burnett, each episode shares real stories and bold ideas from the people making parks, public space, and urban nature more inclusive, innovative, and essential.🎙️ Meet the PodParks TeamMaria Burnett | Luis Romahn |
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46. What to Think About When Designing Park Lighting with Gary Jacquard
46. What to Think About When Designing Park Lighting with Gary JacquardBehind every welcoming park at night is a thoughtful lighting design. In this episode of PodParks, host Maria Burnett speaks with Gary Jacquard, General Export Manager at Eclatec, about how cities can use lighting to create atmosphere, comfort and safety without compromising biodiversity.From the glow of Paris’ historic lamp posts to smart lighting systems that adapt to use and season, Gary shares how technology and design can work together to make parks more inviting and sustainable. They also discuss why lighting should be considered early in park planning and how small choices in tone, brightness and placement can transform the way people experience public space.Highlights include:Why brighter doesn’t always mean saferHow early design decisions shape the feel of a parkThe growing role of smart lighting and sensors in public spacesBalancing light for people and biodiversityHow regional culture and climate influence lighting designWhether you’re a planner, designer or someone who enjoys an evening walk, this episode sheds light on how design decisions after dark can make parks more welcoming for everyone.Featured Guests Gary Jacquard, General Export Manager, Eclatec🔗LinkedInEclatec is part of the Agora Makers group, which brings together Metalco and other European companies that blend heritage design, innovation and sustainability in lighting and street furniture. World Urban Parks is proudly sponsored by Agora Makers!Feedback🎧 Give feedback on this episode here.Or if you’d like to share your perspectives or stories about this episode, or contact us for any reason, you can email Maria Burnett (host) and the team at [email protected]. About PodParksPodParks is the official podcast of World Urban Parks. Hosted by Maria Burnett, each episode shares real stories and bold ideas from the people making parks, public space, and urban nature more inclusive, innovative, and essential.🎙️ Meet the PodParks TeamMaria Burnett | Luis Romahn | Vitoria Martín Delgado | Vladimir Yañez Huehpa| Cynthia Hernández Martínez| Boris Solis🌐...
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45. The People, Projects and Parks Changing the World: WUP Awards 2025
What do the world’s most inspiring parks have in common? Behind every great green space are passionate people, designers, advocates, and communities who believe parks can change the way we live.In this special episode of PodParks, host Maria Burnett explores the real stories behind the World Urban Parks Awards, celebrating the people and projects transforming public spaces across the globe. Together with Michael Boland, Chair of the WUP Awards Committee, Maria dives into what makes these parks and leaders stand out and why their work matters for the future of cities.You’ll hear directly from the 2025 award winners, whose projects span continents but share a common purpose: to make urban life greener, healthier, and more connected. From inclusive play spaces to large-scale restorations and creative community programs, their stories show how imagination and collaboration can turn public space into something extraordinary.Along the way, you’ll also learn how the WUP Awards recognise innovation and leadership across regions, creating a truly global platform for parks and professionals of all kinds.Highlights include:Stories from the 2025 award-winning projects and the people behind themHow the World Urban Parks Awards celebrate leadership, creativity, and impactThe global and regional structure that makes the program accessible to everyoneReflections from Chair Michael Boland on how recognition can inspire a movementWhat cities and park professionals can gain by taking partWhether you work in parks or simply love them, this episode will remind you how powerful a single idea and a single park can be in changing the world.Featured Guests Michael Boland - Chair, World Urban Parks Awards 2025 WUP Award Winners🔗 Learn more about the AwardsFeedback🎧 Give feedback on this episode here.Or if you’d like to share your perspectives or stories about this episode, or contact us for any reason, you can email Maria Burnett (host) and the team at [email protected]. Featured Guests Michael Boland 🔗 LinkedIn 2025 WUP Award Winners 🔗 Learn more about the Awards and Award WinnersAbout PodParksPodParks is the official podcast of World Urban Parks. Hosted by Maria Burnett, each episode shares real stories and bold ideas from the people making parks, public space, and urban nature more inclusive, innovative, and essential.🎙️ Meet the PodParks TeamMaria Burnett | Luis Romahn | Vitoria Martín Delgado |
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44.1 İstanbul’da Parklar ve Oyun – Dr. Ahmet Cemil Tepe ile
Dünyanın en dinamik şehirlerinden birinde oyun ve parkların geleceği nasıl şekilleniyor?PodParks’in bu özel bölümünde, sunucu Maria Burnett, peyzaj mimarı, akademisyen ve Landscape Istanbul Fair 2025 ile World Urban Parks Sempozyumunun önde gelen isimlerinden Dr. Ahmet Cemil Tepe ile bir araya geliyor. Birlikte, İstanbul’daki parkları ve kamusal alanları şekillendiren fikirleri—oyuna yönelik yeni yaklaşımlardan, kentsel peyzajlarda inovasyonu ileriye taşıyan küresel iş birliklerine kadar—ele alıyorlar.Bu sohbet, uluslararası uzmanları, tasarımcıları ve düşünce liderlerini dört gün boyunca içgörü, ilham ve bağlantı için bir araya getiren Landscape Istanbul Fair 2025’in (8–11 Ekim 2025) hemen ardından geliyor. Bu yılki etkinlik ayrıca World Urban Parks’ın 10. yılını kutlayarak, kentsel doğa ve yaşanabilir şehirler alanındaki on yıllık küresel liderliğini taçlandırıyor.
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