NEB Concepts | DigiNEB Podcasts

Andrew Dubber in conversation with leading architects, educators, and project leaders

Topic: AI and digital tools

Frank van der Hoeven pt 3 – Citizen Participation, AI, and the Power of Visualisation

Should everyday citizens have a say in urban planning? Frank van der Hoeven challenges the idea that only architects and planners are the experts, arguing that those who live in a place are, in many ways, more knowledgeable than those designing it. He also explores how AI is changing architectural design, the rise of co-creation, and his own experience working on the iconic Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam.

Community engagement AI and digital tools Co-creation and participatory design Architectural education and practice Digitalization and innovation Human-centered design

Jan Bunge pt 1 – Storytelling, Simulation, and the Future of City Design

Jan Bunge, a trained landscape architect turned digital strategist, discusses the power of narrative in urban planning. He explains how real-time 3D environments and interactive simulations help decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public understand complex urban projects. With a background in both design and communication, he explores why the way we present ideas is just as important as the ideas themselves.

Urban design and development Digital twins and simulations Sustainability Data-driven decision making AI and digital tools Community engagement

Jan Bunge pt 4 – Participatory Design, AI, and the Role of the Public in Urban Planning

Should non-experts help design cities? Jan Bunge explores how real-time interactive tools are changing public consultation, allowing communities to shape their environments in ways never before possible. From game-engine-driven urban planning to AI-assisted design, he discusses the delicate balance between expert knowledge and democratic participation in shaping the future of our cities.

Co-creation and participatory design AI and digital tools Community engagement Urban design and development Resource management and efficiency Digitalization and innovation

Markus Reymann pt 5 – Digital Technologies, Data Sovereignty, and European Alternatives

How can we rethink our relationship with technology? Markus Reymann explores Europe's distinct approach to digital sovereignty and sustainability, contrasting it with Silicon Valley’s extractive model. He discusses the role of digital tools in mapping, storytelling, and ecological planning, while questioning whether technology should lead or follow human thought.

AI and digital tools Human-centered design Data-driven decision making Nature-based solutions European collaboration and policy Art and culture Aesthetics

Matti Kuittinen pt 2 – Resilient Cities, Climate Change, and the Lessons of Disaster

How do we design for an unpredictable future? Matti Kuittinen shares insights from his work in disaster-prone regions, including Haiti and Japan, to explore how architecture can build resilience. He examines the role of city planning in mitigating climate-related risks and the political challenges of long-term thinking in an era of short-term governance.

Architectural education and practice Climate change and adaptation European collaboration and policy Resource management and efficiency AI and digital tools Lifecycle thinking and long-term planning

Roberto Cavallo pt 6 – What Comes After DigiNEB? The Future of the NEB Academy

What happens when EU-funded projects come to an end? Roberto Cavallo considers the long-term impact of DigiNEB, the potential of the NEB Academy, and how digital knowledge-sharing can support the future of sustainable design. He also discusses how European initiatives can foster lasting collaborations and new ways of thinking about architecture and urbanism.

New European Bauhaus AI and digital tools Knowledge sharing and dissemination Education innovation Sustainability Interdisciplinary approach

Selma Harrington pt 4 – Digital Tools and the Future of Architecture

From parametric modelling to virtual collaboration, digital tools are transforming architecture—but at what cost? Selma Harrington delves into the challenges and opportunities of digitalisation in architectural practice. She examines the economic pressures on small firms, the benefits of digital modelling, and the evolving role of technology in shaping how architects work and collaborate.

AI and digital tools Architectural education and practice European collaboration and policy Technology integration Digitalization and innovation Interdisciplinary approach

Selma Harrington pt 5 – Who Designs Our Cities? Community Engagement & Urban Planning

Should non-experts have a say in urban planning? Selma Harrington unpacks the role of public engagement in shaping the built environment, discussing digital tools like urban modelling and digital twins. She shares case studies of how visualisation has changed urban development and highlights the power of collaborative design in avoiding disastrous planning mistakes.

Community engagement Urban design and development Co-creation and participatory design Interdisciplinary approach Architectural education and practice AI and digital tools

Selma Harrington pt 6 – AI, Digital Education, and the Role of Water in Urban Identity

How is AI reshaping architecture and design education? Selma Harrington reflects on digital learning, the balance between technology and creativity, and the continued relevance of hand-drawn sketches. She also explores the cultural and political significance of water in urban design, from Ottoman-era fountains to contemporary concerns about privatisation and sustainability.

Education innovation AI and digital tools Architectural education and practice Technology integration Interdisciplinary approach Water management and design