-Life as a MIT Professor of Technology and Urban Planning–
If you stop and think of where we are at as a dominant living organism, it really is quite mind blowing. In our existence, we have managed to proliferate and achieve some pretty fantastical feats relating to technology, medicine, sciences and so on.
Part of that has been our innate understanding that we are a species which builds off the back of one another. Our social togetherness and collaboration literally fuels much of our achievement.
As such, we have found ways to ensure these key ingredients remain strong in order to allow for the constant flourishing of new ideas and innovation.
Look no further than how we design our communities, cities and countries. We have housing aimed at nurturing and providing for our social needs.
Business hubs and districts allow for commerce and progress to be driven forward on a daily basis.
All of this takes place through this never-ending global push for kaizen or continuous improvement.
Nowadays, the tools we have to advance this agenda are tremendous. Think big data. Think institutions like MIT, where some of the brightest minds converge to help map out visions aimed at further advancing our species while attempting to offset or handle many of the challenges we collectively face.
If all of this sounds as fascinating to you as it does to me, you are in luck. My guest today is one of the brightest minds out there when it comes to technology and urban planning.
Introducing
Sarah Williams is an Associate Professor of Technology and Urban Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she is also Director of the Civic Data Design Lab and the Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism.
Williams’ combines her training in computation and design to create communication strategies that expose urban policy issues to broad audiences and create civic change. She calls the process Data Action, which is also the name of her recent book published by MIT Press.
Entreprenural Initiative
Williams is co-founder and developer of Envelope.city, a web-based software product that visualizes and allows users to modify zoning in New York City.
Before coming to MIT, Williams was Co-Director of the Spatial Information Design Lab at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation (GSAPP).
Art X Design
Her design work has been widely exhibited including work in the Guggenheim, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Venice Biennale, and the Cooper Hewitt Museum.
Acclaim and Recognition
Williams has won numerous awards including being named one of the top 25 technology planners and Game Changers by Metropolis Magazine.
Reasons to Listen
Listen in to hear Sarah share her wisdom and insights on how the combination of big data and urban planning are helping to shape the world around us.
You’ll also hear about many of her other fascinating projects, responsibilities, organizations she is part of, her business and her latest book. It’s a wide ranging talk that will surely satisfy any curious minded listener.
Plus you won’t want to miss the story Sarah shares about her one of her past projects. As a teaser, it does involve the Associated Press, the Dean of her university, the Chinese government and of course Sarah, herself. It may just be the top Water Cooler Segment story of all time here at LIFE AS A..!
A Memorable Quote from the Episode:
“At the heart of what urban planners do, they are really translators between fields and organizations. They are almost like intermediaries between two professions. For example, if you’re trying to develop criminal justice policy and apply it to urban development, planners help translate those ideas.”
Sarah Williams
Check out the Video Conversation:
For those who desire to watch the full video conversation, you can do so via Youtube.
Words of Wisdom:
Hear from Sarah as she shares advice to those looking to step into the world of urban planning and big data.
Discover More
For those interested in learning more about Sarah and her work, you can find and connect with her through Civic Design Data Lab, MIT Norman B. Leventhal Centre for Advanced Urbanism and her company Envelope City. You can also find her on the following social platforms:
Keep Listening!
I hope you enjoyed the episode. For more, check out additional episodes here!
