Ep. 19: I like the word radical

Metropolis: A Livable Cities Podcast

On the Feb. 7 episode: Building over railways with special guest Michael Meschino (Entuitive Consulting Engineers). Get all fired up for some conversation about joists, girders and cantilevers, because this week on Metropolis Matt and Luke are getting all up into the wild world of engineering. Joined by special guest Michael Meschino from Entuitive, a group of consulting engineers who have worked on projects all over the world, we dive into the hot new trend of building things above railway corridors. Inspired by Mayor John Tory’s plan for a Rail Deck Park in Toronto, we talk about the challenges that come with building atop active rail lines. How do you do it without driving commuters crazy? What are the limitations involved? Does it cost an absurd amount of money? And why is this increasingly something cities are looking at? Also: air. Who owns it? Me? You? Michael tells us about projects he’s worked on in Manhattan and Calgary, and leaves John Tory with some advice on how to make Rail Deck Park a reality. Finally, in our thumbs up/thumbs down segment, Luke gives praise to the art of protesting, while Matt cheers for math and the proper prioritization of transit over automobiles.