Skip to content

Talking Headways Podcast: Pattern Cities and the Bellbottoms of Urbanism

This week we talk to Mike Lydon of The Street Plans Collaborative and co-author of the recent book Tactical Urbanism. Based on his experience with tactical urbanism, Mike says you know an idea has "made it" when it gets co-opted for things that don’t fit the actual definition. We also discuss how to take a small planning idea and make it bigger, and whether urbanism goes through cycles like fashion, with ideas from the past coming back into style.
podcast icon logo

This week we talk to Mike Lydon of The Street Plans Collaborative and co-author of the recent book Tactical Urbanism. Based on his experience with tactical urbanism, Mike says you know an idea has “made it” when it gets co-opted for things that don’t fit the actual definition. We also discuss how to take a small planning idea and make it bigger, and whether urbanism goes through cycles like fashion, with ideas from the past coming back into style.

Tune in and get the scoop on tactical urbanism stories from Boston; Ponderay, Idaho; and Hamilton, Ontario. Hear what Mike has to say about the importance of having people interact with real places during the public planning process, and about pattern cities — places that have spawned a good idea that other places have copied.

Comments Are Temporarily Disabled

Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.

Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.

More from Streetsblog New York City

DOT Launches Delivery Worker Training And Puts Apps On Notice

April 8, 2026

Hochul’s Insurance Push Follows Uber’s National Playbook — As The Company Spends Big on Her Re-Election

April 8, 2026

Upper West Siders Beg DOT For A ‘Low-Traffic Neighborhood’

April 8, 2026

With Waymo Testing Halted, We Have A Rare Chance To Get Ahead of the ‘Driverless Revolution’

April 8, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines: You Had One Job Edition

April 8, 2026
See all posts