The DNA of Cities Podcast

We know that there are over 10,000 cities in the world. We also know that there is something unique about every city. But what is it that makes each city feel, move, look and act so differently? In this podcast, Professor Greg Clark CBE and Dr Caitlin Morrissey bring together leaders from the worlds of urban history, politics, art, architecture and more to decode The DNA of Cities.

The DNA of Cities: Season 1

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In Season 1, we embark on a global voyage of discovery in search of The DNA of Cities, and we were joined by over 70 local experts in 11 tremendous cities. Across 29 episodes, we discover that The DNA of Cities is about the emergence of patterns over long cycles of urban evolution, recognising key moments, decisions and forces that shape a city, and the mindsets and dispositions that are inherited and become deeply embedded.

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Episode 29: What does this approach not explain?

We celebrate the end of Season 1 with a rich debate about the utility of this approach to understanding cities.

Episode 26: Our Listeners - Part I

Our esteemed listeners join us to discuss what they have found meaningful from Series 1 so far.

Episode 23: The DNA of Dubai - Part II

We spend time exploring the more ordinary, mundane and vernacular aspects of life in Dubai.

Episode 20: The DNA of Tel Aviv - Part I

We discover that there are two genetic structures that make up the city-region of Tel Aviv.

Episode 28: How can we use The DNA of Cities?

In the first of two concluding episodes, our urban experts debate how this approach might be used.

Episode 25: The DNA of Shanghai - Part II

We explore the cultural contributions of the city where Chinese heritage meets the Western influence.

Episode 22: The DNA of Dubai - Part I

We locate The DNA of Dubai by tracing the transformation of this fishing and pearling village into a city.

Episode 19: The DNA of Philadelphia - Part II

We learn about Philadelphia's mindsets, values, inventions, leaders and responses to shocks.

Episode 27: Our Listeners - Part II

Our wonderful listeners tell us about the unique traits of favourite cities and help us to plan Season 2.

Episode 24: The DNA of Shanghai - Part I

We meet local experts to help us decode the DNA of one of the world's largest cities.

Episode 21: The DNA of Tel Aviv - Part II

We speak with local experts to learn about how The DNA of Tel Aviv manifests itself today.

Episode 18: The DNA of Philadelphia - Part I

We discover the long history of the city that made America and we hear what defines the city today.

If you love The DNA of Cities, check out The Century of Cities podcast and The Planet of Cities column