PodParks

• 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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• 44. Parks and Play in Istanbul with Dr Ahmet Cemil Tepe

  What does the future of play and parks look like in one of the world’s most dynamic cities?In this special episode of PodParks, host Maria Burnett sits down with Dr Ahmet Cemil Tepe, a landscape architect, academic, and key figure behind the Landscape Istanbul Fair 2025 and the World Urban Parks Symposium. Together, they explore the ideas shaping parks and public spaces in Istanbul - from new approaches to play to the global collaborations driving innovation in urban landscapes.This conversation follows the Landscape Istanbul Fair 2025 (8–11 October 2025), which brought together international experts, designers, and thought leaders for four days of insight, inspiration, and connection. This year’s event also marks the 10-year anniversary of World Urban Parks, celebrating a decade of leadership in urban nature and liveable cities worldwide.

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• 43. Designing Cities for Children: A Conversation with Cecilia Vaca Jones

  What happens when we design cities through the eyes of a child?In this inspiring episode of Podparks, host Maria Burnett is joined by Cecilia Vaca Jones, Senior Advisor to the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and former Executive Director of the Van Leer Foundation, the organisation behind Urban95. A passionate advocate for children’s wellbeing, Cecilia shares how childhood memories, evidence-based policy, and citizen participation can transform urban life.Together, they explore how investing in children creates cities that work better for everyone — from the elderly to families, women, and people with disabilities. Cecilia reflects on her experiences across Ecuador, Abu Dhabi, and beyond, offering practical and hopeful ideas for shaping inclusive, playful, and people-centred cities.Highlights include:How childhood experiences inspire Cecilia’s global work on parks and public spaceWhy designing for babies and children creates inclusive cities for allThe four pillars of child-friendly urban design: proximity, mobility, design, and participationHow public policy must go beyond numbers to focus on behaviours and use of spaceWhy investing in vulnerable communities is key to equity and social cohesionA vision of thriving, playful, sustainable cities in 2040🎧 Listeners are encouraged to add their perspectives: email [email protected] to share your own story or response to the conversation.Featured GuestsCecilia Vaca Jones 🔗 LinkedInAbout 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🌐 worldurbanparks.org 📱 Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter/X

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