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The DNA of Cities: Season 1

 In Season 1 of The DNA of Cities, we began to develop a framework for identifying and understanding what it is that makes each city different. We call this The DNA of Cities. We road-tested these ideas in eleven cities around the world, including Istanbul, Singapore, Vienna, London, Shanghai, Glasgow and New York. We spoke with local experts about their perspectives on what characteristics that city has accumulated over time to make it the city that it is today. With global urban experts, we then analysed why The DNA of Cities might be used, how and by who. 

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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.

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Episode 26: Our Listeners - Part I

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

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Episode 23: The DNA of Dubai - Part II

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

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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.

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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.

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Episode 25: The DNA of Shanghai - Part II

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

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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.

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Episode 19: The DNA of Philadelphia - Part II

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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© The DNA of Cities 2025

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