New York is a place where private money has left a trail. From the high rise towers of Midtown, to large urban regeneration projects like the High Line, philanthropy is the reason New York rose up through the bad times and the good.  So in this episode of the Philanthropist’s Conversation, our host Paula takes a deep dive into the world of philanthropic innovation, and asks a burning question: how can the private sector advance heat resilience? Paula meets with locals who can answer that question, and walk her through the history of New York’s iconic skyline. Along the way, we discuss the transformative impact of Michael Bloomberg’s policies and learn about the role of the Rockefeller Foundation in establishing Chief Heat Officers. Through real examples of grassroot initiatives and private-public partnerships, we break down how private investors and public authorities can come together to form a whole new system.  So what does New York’s approach teach us about the power dynamics of heat resilience? How does philanthropy turn ideas into action? And what happens when the private sector sees heat not just as a crisis, but as an economic opportunity?  Find out today on The Philanthropist’s Conversation: Social Architecture to Address Urban Heat. Highlights: Welcome to New York (00:50) The High Line: a case Study in philanthropy and urban development (05:33)Looking back on Michael Bloomberg's impact as Mayor of New York (11:38)Exploring the history and legacy of Rockefeller Center (16:42)Philanthropy's role in New York's cultural institutions (23:49) Private-public partnerships: resilience as an economic opportunity (26:53)The Rockefeller Foundation’s efforts towards sustainability and urban development  (29:02) Meeting Jane Gilbert: the role of Chief Heat Officers (34:56)What happens when heat is no longer a seasonal phenomenon? (45:52) Links: Episode Resources Jane Gilbert LinkedInMichael Berkowitz LinkedIn

Urban heat is not just a weather phenomenon; it’s also something we can respond to socially. But the cities we live in are complex. Between government powers, private actors, and the public’s understanding of the issue, there are several moving parts to coordinate to achieve resilience.  So how does a city get mobilized around the heat question? What do we need to organize political action? And crucially: how can Social Architecture help fulfill resilience goals? In the second episode of the Philanthropist’s Conversation: Social Architecture to Address Urban Heat, our host Paula takes us to Paris to answer these questions. Paris is a city that has been paving the way for heat resilience for over two decades. From its world-famous architecture to its history of political engagement, the French capital has taken adaptation seriously since 2003, after a devastating heat wave gave authorities a wake-up call. The city has since developed a web of incentives and services to respond to urban heat, and map out a more resilient future.  Today, we dissect the city’s political wiring, with a deep dive into the Parisian Mayor’s Office. We discuss local partnerships between city government and the private sector, and we also meet up with key actors in the field of urban heat; including Alexandre Florentin, who is at the forefront of this movement. Together, we find out what it takes to connect with civil society, and engage actors across the board, beyond political party lines.  Ready to get in the heat of the action? Then, welcome to Paris.  Highlights: A Heat Management crisis scenario (1:08)What is Paris like when it’s hot? (7:05)Parisian urban design: the Haussmann revolution (9:28)Why it’s difficult to adapt old architecture (13:50)A dive into the City of Paris Mayor’s Office (17:41)Bridging the gap between the public and private sector (24:27)The “Paris at 50 Degrees” project, with Alexandre Florentin (30:21)How to rally different political perspectives around the heat question (36:36)Commitment, partnerships, and education: the recipe for social change (40:50)Beyond adaptation: what about innovation? (42:45) Links: Episode Resources Pegasus WebsiteArup WebsiteAlexandre Florentin LinkedInJulie Roussel LinkedInLenio Myrivili LinkedIn

Welcome to The Philanthropist’s Conversation: Social Architecture to Address Urban Heat. In this four-part series, we embark on a fictional journey around the world to talk about heat and how it’s changing our lives. Why is heat more dangerous in an urban environment? What factors affect how we live with high temperatures? And how can we respond to heat efficiently, and responsibly?  Today, our host Paula and her co-host Jack walk the streets of London to answer these foundational questions. Together, they take a tour of their city to find out how heat affects Londoners, and what we can do to adapt. This episode outlines the risks that urban heat poses for our health, our services and our social system at large. It also provides tangible applications for adaptation, on an individual and collective level. We discuss the mechanisms that drive heat in urban environments – like the “urban heat island effect” – and interrogate specialists in the field about the changes needed for heat resilience. And as you’ll see, it all starts with social architecture: an approach to design and innovation that can reshape our behaviours. Ready for this conversation? Then let’s venture into London and beat the heat.  Highlights: Introducing London & the heat problem (0:37)Factors driving urban heat (3:52)Who is vulnerable to high temperatures? (7:02)Heat as a systemic issue (9:25)The “urban heat island effect” (12:40)The Urban Heat Snapshot with Josef Hargrave (16:37)Is London ready for extreme weather events? (21:17)Resilient solutions and social architecture to mitigate heat (24:33)Solutions at the individual level (28:26)A resilient approach to innovation (31:26)Political commitment to heat resilience: a tenuous question (33:30) Chasing collaboration and engagement beyond London (35:05) Links: Episode Resources Pegasus WebsiteArup WebsiteJoseph Hargrave LinkedInLenio Myrivili LinkedInJulie Roussel LinkedIn The Philanthropist's Conversation is a podcast from Pegasus. For more any enquiries, please visit our website.