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Most architects spend their careers talking to other architects. Vishaan Chakrabarti, FAIA took a different path, and it's made him one of the most influential voices in urban planning today.
From his role as Manhattan Director of Planning under Mayor Bloomberg to founding Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU), Vishaan has spent decades working across scales. His non-linear career path has given him a rare ability to speak different languages: government, development, academia, and design.
In his latest book, "The Architecture of Urbanity," Vishaan argues that the abundance agenda isn't enough. Yes, we need to build more housing, but if most of what gets built is poor quality, communities will continue to fight development. The solution isn't just quantity—it's quality.
The conversation takes on new urgency as we discuss the recent LA fires and what they reveal about sprawl, climate resilience, and the true cost of horizontal growth. Vishaan is direct: rebuilding exactly what was there is "suspended disbelief," and cities like LA need to confront difficult questions about density and fire buffers.
From Singapore's world-class infrastructure to Paris’s reduction in car dependency, Vishaan shares lessons from cities that are getting urbanism right. These examples prove that investing in quality development and density creates virtuous cycles. More tax revenue funds better transit, housing, and public services. For cities like LA facing housing shortages and climate crisis, the path forward isn't choosing between growth and quality, but rather investing in both simultaneously.
Episode Outline
(04:33) Vishaan’s early influences and unconventional path to architecture
(11:36) Takeaways from the Bloomberg administration
(16:24) Why the commodity approach to housing development creates community resistance
(25:34) Cities becoming self-sufficient as federal funding disappears
(36:07) LA's infrastructure challenges and cultural barriers to gentle density
(48:41) Mayor for a day: How Vishaan would approach zoning in LA
(50:42) Notes from Singapore, Tokyo, Venice, Vienna, and Paris
Resources Mentioned
NYT Article: The Big City Where Housing Is Still Affordable
Movie: Perfect Days
Palisades Architect with Fire Resistant Home: ABC7
Guest Info
Connect with Vishaan on LinkedIn
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast represent the views of the individual speakers, interviewers, or guests alone, and do not necessarily reflect the official positions, views, or opinions of Lincoln Property Company or any of its affiliates.
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